Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for IP Earnings

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for International Paper in a report issued on Wednesday, April 22nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the basic materials company will post earnings of $0.24 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.23. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $1.67 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.30 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.62 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.73 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.72 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.85 EPS and Q1 2028 earnings at $0.79 EPS.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The basic materials company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.28 by ($0.36). The business had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.90 billion. International Paper had a negative net margin of 14.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.35%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 53.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.02) EPS.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on International Paper from $47.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of International Paper in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued a “hold” rating and a $38.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of International Paper from $48.00 to $44.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of International Paper from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $45.48.

International Paper Trading Up 0.6%

IP stock opened at $33.53 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. International Paper has a 12-month low of $32.92 and a 12-month high of $56.13. The stock has a market cap of $17.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.00 and a beta of 1.14. The business’s 50-day moving average is $38.84 and its 200 day moving average is $40.59.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. McIlrath & Eck LLC lifted its stake in shares of International Paper by 452.6% in the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 525 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its holdings in International Paper by 94.0% in the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the period. DV Equities LLC purchased a new stake in International Paper in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new position in International Paper in the third quarter valued at about $36,000. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at International Paper

In other news, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail acquired 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.98 per share, for a total transaction of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,999,000. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Anders Gustafsson bought 13,217 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $37.83 per share, for a total transaction of $499,999.11. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 26,092 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $987,060.36. This trade represents a 102.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders purchased 76,092 shares of company stock valued at $2,999,064 in the last three months. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Key Stories Impacting International Paper

Here are the key news stories impacting International Paper this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its Q4 2027 EPS estimate to $0.85 from $0.80, a small signal of stronger late‑cycle expectations. Zacks note
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks nudged Q4 2026 EPS to $0.62 from $0.61, a minor upward tweak that marginally improves the back‑half outlook. Zacks note
• Positive Sentiment: Q1 2026 estimate was lifted slightly to $0.24 from $0.23 — a modest short‑term positive. Zacks note
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks maintained a “Hold” rating and highlights a consensus full‑year figure near $1.67; the firm is adjusting timing and magnitude of quarterly earnings but has not changed its overall stance. Zacks note
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut its FY2026 EPS estimate to $1.73 from $1.79, trimming full‑year expectations and signaling weaker near‑term profitability versus prior assumptions. Zacks note
• Negative Sentiment: Q2 2026 EPS was reduced sharply to $0.30 from $0.38, the largest quarter‑by‑quarter downgrade in the update and a potential immediate negative catalyst for sentiment. Zacks note
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 2028 estimate fell to $0.79 from $0.85 and Q1 2027 was trimmed to $0.72 from $0.73 — small downgrades that further soften forward earnings visibility. Zacks note

International Paper Company Profile

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based products, focused primarily on pulp, paper, and packaging. The company manufactures containerboard and corrugated packaging used for shipping and retail display, as well as a range of specialty papers and pulp products that serve industrial, consumer goods, and e-commerce customers. Its product portfolio is oriented toward large-scale packaging solutions, tissue and paper grades, and raw pulp for a variety of manufacturing uses.

Founded in 1898, International Paper is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, and is one of the largest and longest-established companies in the forest products sector.