Zacks Research Brokers Decrease Earnings Estimates for IP

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of International Paper in a research report issued on Thursday, February 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the basic materials company will earn $0.24 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.49. Zacks Research has a “Strong Sell” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for International Paper’s current full-year earnings is $2.77 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for International Paper’s Q2 2026 earnings at $0.49 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.52 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.83 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.81 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.84 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.85 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.74 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $3.23 EPS.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on IP. Citigroup lifted their price objective on International Paper from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of International Paper in a research report on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on International Paper from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on International Paper from $55.00 to $54.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded International Paper from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $36.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $48.25.

International Paper Price Performance

NYSE:IP opened at $49.17 on Monday. International Paper has a 12-month low of $35.56 and a 12-month high of $57.55. The firm has a market cap of $25.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -7.33 and a beta of 1.11. The company’s 50-day moving average is $41.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.48. 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 (NYSE:IP) last announced its quarterly 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.90 billion. International Paper had a negative net margin of 14.12% and a negative return on equity of 0.35%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned ($0.02) earnings per share.

Insider Activity at International Paper

In related news, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail purchased 50,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 50,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,999,000. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Clay R. Ellis sold 18,819 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.85, for a total transaction of $693,480.15. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.55% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of International Paper by 7.0% in the second quarter. Wellington Shields Capital Management LLC now owns 3,468 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $162,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares during the last quarter. MCF Advisors LLC raised its position in International Paper by 36.7% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 853 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its holdings in International Paper by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 5,993 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 242 shares during the period. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of International Paper by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,175 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Independent Advisor Alliance increased its stake in shares of International Paper by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 7,750 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $305,000 after buying an additional 244 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting International Paper

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

• Neutral Sentiment: Yahoo Finance asks whether investors should reassess IP after a recent share-price surge, highlighting valuation and momentum questions that could prompt profit-taking or rotation by short-term holders. Is It Time To Reassess International Paper (IP) After Its Recent Share Price Surge
• Neutral Sentiment: Yahoo Finance reports International Paper has adjusted executive compensation metrics; governance/compensation changes can affect investor perception but are unlikely to move fundamentals immediately. International Paper Tweaks Executive Pay As Valuation And Momentum Draw Focus
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research cut multiple near‑ and medium‑term EPS forecasts for IP (notably Q1–Q3 2026/2027 and full‑year projections) and upgraded its downside view into a “Strong Sell.” The firm trimmed FY2026 and FY2027 estimates materially and lowered several quarterly forecasts, signaling weaker-than-expected earnings trajectory and raising downside risk to the stock. Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for IP Earnings

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.