International Paper (NYSE:IP) Stock Position Boosted by Inspire Advisors LLC

Inspire Advisors LLC boosted its stake in International Paper (NYSE:IP) by 1.7% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 12,358 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 204 shares during the quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC’s holdings in International Paper were worth $665,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in International Paper by 28.7% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 33,330 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,794,000 after buying an additional 7,424 shares in the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC bought a new position in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $24,327,000. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in International Paper by 15.1% in the 3rd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,972 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 785 shares in the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital bought a new position in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $376,000. Finally, Curi RMB Capital LLC bought a new position in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,870,000. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Price Performance

IP stock opened at $49.36 on Wednesday. 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 has a one year low of $33.16 and a one year high of $60.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.97 billion, a PE ratio of 31.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $55.33 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.32.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. On average, analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently 117.83%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on IP shares. Bank of America started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. BNP Paribas lowered shares of International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, January 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, International Paper currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $54.86.

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.