International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) Stock Holdings Lifted by GAMMA Investing LLC

GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) by 6.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,425 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 327 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in International Paper were worth $289,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of International Paper by 18.0% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 17,586 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $946,000 after acquiring an additional 2,685 shares in the last quarter. Korea Investment CORP boosted its stake in International Paper by 220.6% in the 4th quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 310,674 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $16,720,000 after purchasing an additional 213,783 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth approximately $21,307,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP grew its position in International Paper by 88.6% during the 4th quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 11,310 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $609,000 after purchasing an additional 5,312 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $9,063,000. 81.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

International Paper Stock Performance

Shares of IP stock opened at $50.37 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $26.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.05, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.02. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $47.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.96. International Paper Company has a fifty-two week low of $42.26 and a fifty-two week high of $60.36.

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). The business had revenue of $5.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.38 billion. International Paper had a return on equity of 4.05% and a net margin of 1.99%. The business’s revenue was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.17 earnings per share. Analysts predict that International Paper Company will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.67%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 158.12%.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Paper

In other news, CAO Holly G. Goughnour sold 7,500 shares of International Paper stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.85, for a total value of $336,375.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 31,525 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,413,896.25. This trade represents a 19.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.35% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on IP shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on International Paper in a research report on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen raised International Paper from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. UBS Group began coverage on International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “underweight” rating and issued a $40.00 target price (down previously from $45.00) on shares of International Paper in a report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on shares of International Paper in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, International Paper currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $54.54.

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.