Zacks Research Has Bearish Estimate for IP Q1 Earnings

International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of International Paper in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the basic materials company will earn $0.22 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.24. Zacks Research has a “Hold” 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 $0.45 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.56 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.60 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.74 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.84 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $0.78 EPS.

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

IP has been the subject of a number of other reports. Truist Financial set a $48.00 target price on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of International Paper from $40.00 to $38.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of International Paper in a report on Monday, December 29th. Argus decreased their target price on shares of International Paper from $55.00 to $50.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of International Paper from $51.80 to $50.70 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $48.06.

International Paper Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $33.68 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.83 billion, a PE ratio of -5.02 and a beta of 1.09. 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 1-year low of $33.57 and a 1-year high of $56.64. The business’s 50 day moving average is $42.61 and its 200-day moving average is $42.43.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other news, CEO Andrew K. Silvernail bought 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 30th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.98 per share, with a total value of $1,999,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 50,000 shares in the company, valued at $1,999,000. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Anders Gustafsson bought 13,217 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $37.83 per share, with a total value of $499,999.11. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 26,092 shares in the company, valued at $987,060.36. This represents a 102.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders have acquired 76,092 shares of company stock valued at $2,999,064 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Paper by 452.6% during the fourth quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 641 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 525 shares in the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. DV Equities LLC bought a new stake in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its holdings in International Paper by 94.0% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 710 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 344 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC increased its holdings in International Paper by 115.4% during the 4th quarter. Summit Securities Group LLC now owns 784 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 5,875 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key International Paper News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Announced a new 468,000 sq. ft. sustainable packaging facility in Rankin County, Mississippi — this adds packaging capacity, supports demand for sustainable packaging and reinforces long‑term growth/ESG positioning. International Paper Plans to Build New Sustainable Packaging Facility in Rankin County, Mississippi
• Positive Sentiment: Some analyst optimism remains: a recent consensus summary shows analysts giving the stock a “Moderate Buy,” indicating pockets of support among the street. International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised a couple of fourth-quarter estimates (Q4 2026 and Q4 2027) — small upward tweaks to later-quarter forecasts that suggest some improvement in expected end‑of‑year results. MarketBeat – International Paper analyst notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo trimmed its price target from $40 to $38 but kept an “equal weight” rating — reduces upside expectations modestly while leaving the rating unchanged. Benzinga coverage of Wells Fargo price target change
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage notes that IP has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year; analysts are cautiously optimistic but the relative performance narrative can keep investors hesitant. Is International Paper Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut several near‑term quarterly EPS estimates (multiple trims to Q1–Q3 2026 and Q1–Q3 2027), signaling weaker near‑term profitability expectations that can pressure the stock. MarketBeat – International Paper analyst updates
• Negative Sentiment: Fundamental headwinds remain visible from past results — recent quarterly results showed an EPS miss and negative net margin, underscoring short‑term profit pressure and contributing to bearish sentiment.

About International Paper

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.