International Paper (NYSE:IP) Shares Acquired by Sterling Capital Management LLC

Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in International Paper (NYSE:IP - Free Report) by 55.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 20,533 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,325 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC's holdings in International Paper were worth $1,105,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. SPC Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of International Paper by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of International Paper by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $205,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of International Paper by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $665,000 after acquiring an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in International Paper by 14.7% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $86,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its position in International Paper by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 15,244 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $820,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company's stock.

International Paper Stock Performance

IP stock traded up $0.02 during trading on Friday, reaching $46.32. The company had a trading volume of 3,511,121 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,946,266. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49. International Paper has a twelve month low of $33.16 and a twelve month high of $60.36. The company has a market cap of $24.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.57.

International Paper (NYSE:IP - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. International Paper's dividend payout ratio is currently 117.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

IP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. StockNews.com cut shares of International Paper from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, March 28th. Bank of America started coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Citigroup initiated coverage on International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $59.00 price objective for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $55.32.

About International Paper

International Paper Company produces and sells renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products in North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. It operates through two segments, Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers. The company offers linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft; and pulp for a range of applications, such as diapers, towel and tissue products, feminine care, incontinence, and other personal care products, as well as specialty pulps for use in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings, and others.