Intech Investment Management LLC Increases Holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP)

Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in International Paper (NYSE:IP) by 117.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,970 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,633 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC’s holdings in International Paper were worth $860,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IP. Pathstone Holdings LLC grew its holdings in International Paper by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 55,009 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,687,000 after buying an additional 1,130 shares in the last quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC purchased a new position in International Paper during the third quarter valued at $1,006,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in International Paper by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 3,282 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $160,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in International Paper by 19.5% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,295,926 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $161,006,000 after purchasing an additional 537,825 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of International Paper by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,579,679 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $174,867,000 after purchasing an additional 9,774 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

IP has been the topic of several research reports. Bank of America started coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on International Paper in a report on Thursday. They set an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $55.32.

International Paper Price Performance

IP stock opened at $51.29 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $26.99 billion, a PE ratio of 32.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02. International Paper has a 12 month low of $33.16 and a 12 month high of $60.36. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $54.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced 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%. Equities research analysts anticipate that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.61%. International Paper’s payout ratio is 117.83%.

International Paper Profile

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.