International Paper (NYSE:IP) Sees Large Volume Increase – Time to Buy?

International Paper (NYSE:IP) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 12,121,580 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 18% from the previous session’s volume of 10,278,588 shares.The stock last traded at $54.90 and had previously closed at $53.88.

Analyst Ratings Changes

IP has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, January 31st. BNP Paribas lowered International Paper from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $48.20 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $64.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $51.88.

International Paper Stock Up 0.7 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $19.51 billion, a PE ratio of 35.76 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $55.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $51.88.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a return on equity of 4.75% and a net margin of 2.99%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.89 EPS for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, February 24th will be issued a $0.4625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.29%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio is presently 117.84%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Kathryn D. Sullivan sold 600 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.39, for a total value of $35,034.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 37,145 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,168,896.55. This trade represents a 1.59 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in International Paper by 5.7% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 3,282 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $160,000 after buying an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. SPC Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in International Paper by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. SPC Financial Inc. now owns 14,100 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $759,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. AlphaMark Advisors LLC grew its position in International Paper by 5.7% in the 4th quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 3,814 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $205,000 after buying an additional 204 shares in the last quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC increased its stake in International Paper by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 12,358 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $665,000 after buying an additional 204 shares during the period. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its position in shares of International Paper by 14.7% during the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,601 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $86,000 after buying an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

International Paper Company 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.