International Paper Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:IP)

International Paper (NYSE:IP) was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Investors purchased 6,328 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 46% compared to the typical daily volume of 4,329 put options.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on IP. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 target price on shares of International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on International Paper from $64.00 to $59.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of International Paper from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, March 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of International Paper from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $54.77.

International Paper Trading Down 3.8 %

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $43.93 on Friday. International Paper has a 52-week low of $35.13 and a 52-week high of $60.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49. The company has a market capitalization of $23.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $50.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.49.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.23 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.35 by ($0.12). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. The firm had revenue of $5.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.38 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.17 EPS. International Paper’s revenue for the quarter was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 67.0% in the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of International Paper by 313.3% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 591 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 448 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of International Paper by 90.2% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 622 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

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.