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As of September 22, 2026, International Paper Co. (IP) trades at $35.33. CleaRank Financial AI rates it Hold with a fair value of $35.33, in line with the current price. Wall Street's consensus target is $47.00 across 12 analysts. RSI at 36 is in neutral territory, and the price is below its 50-day average of $38.83.
International Paper Co. (IP)
International Paper Co. NYSE
$35.33
0.8000 (2.32%)
At close: Sep 21, 4:00 PM EDT
AI Analyst Consensus
55 / 100
International Paper (IP) is currently trading at $35.33, below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages ($38.83 and $38.23), signaling a bearish technical trend. The company's recent earnings have shown mixed results, with a significant EPS beat in the quarter to June 2026 but a miss in the quarter to December 2025. Analysts, however, maintain a generally positive outlook, with a consensus 'Buy' rating and a median price target of $47.00, suggesting a potential upside of 33.0%. The company's fundamental valuation metrics are distorted due to negative EPS, making traditional P/E analysis unreliable. Despite this, insider activity shows a net buying trend, with $4.5M in total purchases versus $37.7M in total sales, indicating some level of insider confidence. The company operates in the Packaging & Containers industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector. Its current financial health shows a negative profit margin of -14.21% and a negative return on equity of -16.48%, reflecting current profitability challenges. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.69, which is slightly below the sector average of 0.69, indicating a manageable debt load relative to equity. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.76, which is significantly lower than the sector average of 1.9, suggesting the stock may be undervalued on a sales basis. However, the negative EPS and recent revenue contraction of -2.2% warrant caution.
IP Price Analysis
Market Metrics
Open
$35.48
Day Range
$35.27 to $36.26
Prev Close
$34.53
Volume
4.82M
52-Week Range
$29.26 to $50.25
Market Cap
$18.71B
Peer Benchmarking
Valuation vs Sector (Consumer Cyclical)
Performance vs XLY
Sector Position Analysis
Trading at a significant premium to sector peers (+101%), suggesting market expectations for superior growth or market position.
IP Financial Performance
Revenue vs. Earnings
Annual
Quarterly
Earnings Reality Check
Analysis: In the last 2 quarters, IP beat estimates 2 times. The stock rose 2 times the next day. Price tends to react positively to beats.
IP Analysis
Company's Health
3/5
12-Month Analyst Target
+33.03% Upside
Median of 12 analysts (12-month)
$47.00
AI Technical Analysis
International Paper (IP) is trading below its 50-day SMA of $38.83 and its 200-day SMA of $38.23, indicating a bearish trend. The RSI is at 36.08, classified as bearish, and the MACD is at -1.3876, further reinforcing negative momentum. The stock is also trading below its 20-day EMA of $36.35. Key support levels are not clearly defined given the current trend, but the current price of $35.33 is approaching the lower end of its recent trading range. Volume has been below average recently, with the latest volume at 4.82 million compared to an average of 5.79 million, suggesting a lack of strong conviction from either buyers or sellers at current levels. The chart structure indicates a downtrend, with recent price action failing to break above key moving averages. The bearish RSI suggests potential for a short-term bounce, but the overall trend remains negative. Investors should monitor for a sustained break above the 20-day EMA and the 50-day SMA to signal a potential shift in momentum. Until then, the path of least resistance appears to be lower.
ProTips
- Monitor upcoming earnings reports closely for signs of sustained profit improvement and revenue growth to validate the positive analyst outlook.
- Given the current bearish technical trend, consider waiting for a confirmed break above key resistance levels, such as the 50-day SMA, before initiating new positions.
- As International Paper offers a dividend yield of approximately 5.24%, it may appeal to income-focused investors, but the sustainability of this dividend should be assessed in light of current profitability challenges.
Key Catalysts
Bullish
Strong EPS Beat in Q2 2026
International Paper reported an EPS of $0.04 for the quarter to June 2026, significantly exceeding analyst estimates of -0.04 by 200%. This beat, despite a negative price reaction, could signal underlying operational improvements.
Source: Earnings ReportBullish
Positive Insider Buying Trend
Insiders have demonstrated net buying activity, with total purchases of $4.3 million against $2.6 million in sales, suggesting a degree of confidence in the company's future prospects.
Source: Insider TransactionsBullish
Analyst Price Target Upside
The median analyst price target of $47.00 represents a potential upside of 33.0% from the current stock price of $35.33, indicating Wall Street's belief in a potential recovery.
Source: Wall Street ConsensusBearish
Bearish Technical Momentum
The stock is trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages ($38.83 and $38.23), with a bearish RSI of 36.08, indicating negative technical momentum that could pressure prices lower.
Source: Technical AnalysisBearish
Negative Profitability and Revenue Contraction
International Paper is currently loss-making with a negative profit margin and has experienced a recent revenue contraction of -2.2%, posing a significant risk to its financial health and growth prospects.
Source: Fundamental AnalysisMarket Outlook
International Paper's base case outlook suggests a potential recovery driven by analyst expectations of strong earnings and revenue growth in the coming years, with next year's EPS projected at $3.01 and revenue at $25.8 billion. The median analyst price target of $47.00 implies a 33.0% upside from the current price. This optimistic view is supported by insider net buying activity and a low price-to-sales ratio. However, the company's current technical setup is bearish, with the stock trading below key moving averages and showing negative momentum. Significant risks include the current negative profitability, inconsistent earnings performance, and recent revenue contraction. A sustained break above the 50-day SMA and positive earnings surprises will be critical catalysts for a bullish turnaround. Conversely, failure to improve profitability or a deepening of the current technical downtrend could lead to further downside, potentially testing the lower end of the long-range projection.
Key Statistics
| Market Cap | 18.71B |
|---|---|
| P/E Ratio | N/A (Negative EPS) |
| EPS (TTM) | -5.39 |
| Dividend Yield | 5.24% |
| 52 Week High | 50.25 |
| 52 Week Low | 29.26 |
International Paper's valuation is currently difficult to assess using traditional P/E ratios due to a negative EPS of -5.39. The company's profit margin is negative at -14.21%, and its return on equity is also negative at -16.48%. This indicates current profitability issues. However, the price-to-sales ratio stands at 0.76, which is considerably lower than the sector average of 1.9, suggesting that the stock might be undervalued relative to its sales. The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 0.69, which is in line with the sector average. Revenue growth has been negative at -2.2%, which is a concern when compared to the sector average revenue growth of 7.2%. While the stock appears cheap on a price-to-sales basis, the negative profitability and revenue contraction present significant headwinds that need to be addressed for a sustainable recovery.
Earnings & Growth Analysis
International Paper's recent earnings performance has been mixed. The company reported an EPS of $0.04 for the quarter to June 2026, significantly beating the estimated -0.04 with a 200% surprise, though the stock price reacted negatively, falling 5.38%. Prior to this, the quarter to March 2026 saw an EPS of $0.52, beating estimates by 26.83%. However, the quarter to December 2025 reported a loss of -0.08, missing estimates of 0.25 by -132%. This inconsistency in earnings performance highlights ongoing volatility in profitability.
Key Risks
International Paper faces significant risks including its current negative profitability, evidenced by a -14.21% net profit margin and a -16.48% return on equity. The stock is also trading below key technical indicators like the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, with a bearish RSI, indicating a negative technical outlook. Also, the company has experienced recent revenue contraction of -2.2%, which, combined with inconsistent earnings, poses a risk to future growth prospects.
Technical Indicators
| RSI (14) | 36.08 |
|---|---|
| MACD | -1.39 |
| SMA 50 | 38.83 |
| SMA 200 | 38.23 |
RSI
Bearish
SMA Cross
Bullish
Price vs SMA
Bearish
MACD
Bearish
Golden Cross in effect with the 50-day SMA ($38.83) above the 200-day SMA ($38.23), price is trading below the 50-day SMA.
Market Correlations
How this stock moves relative to other assets
Based on 1 year of daily price data. Correlations may vary over different time periods.
S&P 500 (SPY)
+0.42
Moderate correlation
Nasdaq 100 (QQQ)
+0.32
Weak correlation
Bitcoin (BTC)
-0.03
Weak correlation
Gold (XAU)
+0.07
Weak correlation
Check Custom Correlation
How does any other asset move with IP? One year of daily closes, Pearson correlation.
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IP Trade Plans
Specific entry, exit, and risk management levels
Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative
2%
Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$
Position Size: Enter portfolio size →
Entry Strategies pick an entry style
Conservative
$34.98
Slight discount to current
Wait for small dip
Aggressive
$35.33
At current price
Enter now if confident
Risk Management
STOP LOSS
$33.50
MAX LOSS
-4.2%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on RSI (36.1) and current market volatility
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative Entry)
TARGET 1
$36.03
+3% (Conservative)
+2.0% (Aggressive)
TARGET 2
$36.73
+5% (Conservative)
+4.0% (Aggressive)
TARGET 3
$37.77
+8% (Conservative)
+6.9% (Aggressive)
Consider scaling out: Take 50% profit at Target 1, 30% at Target 2, let 20% run to Target 3
Calculate Your Trade
Disclaimer
This AI-generated trade plan for IP is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The analysis is based on historical data patterns and technical indicators which may not predict future results. Stock trading involves risk of loss. Verify all data independently and consult a qualified financial advisor. Generated on September 22, 2026.Growth of $10,000
A $10,000 investment in IP in September 2016 would be worth about $7,787 today, compared with about $35,616 for the same investment in the S&P 500 benchmark.
Compare with Another Ticker
Monte Carlo Projection (10yr)
CleaRank's 10-year Monte Carlo simulation projects that a $10,000 investment in IP today could grow to about $11,847 by 2036 in the base case, with a bull case near $44,782 and a bear case around $3,134. Projections are statistical simulations, not guarantees.
IP Stock Price Prediction: 2030
CleaRank's simulation projects a price near $37.81 for IP by 2030 in the base case, from $35.33 today (1.1x over 4 years). The downside path ends near $16.31. These are outcomes of a Monte Carlo simulation run on IP's historical return distribution, not price targets, and they assume no dividends are reinvested.
| Year | Downside (10th pct) | Base case | Upside (90th pct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $23.60 | $35.93 | $54.72 |
| 2028 | $20.16 | $36.55 | $66.24 |
| 2029 | $17.94 | $37.17 | $77.01 |
| 2030 | $16.31 | $37.81 | $87.67 |
| 2031 | $15.02 | $38.45 | $98.47 |
| 2032 | $13.96 | $39.11 | $110 |
| 2033 | $13.08 | $39.78 | $121 |
| 2034 | $12.32 | $40.46 | $133 |
| 2035 | $11.66 | $41.15 | $145 |
| 2036 | $11.07 | $41.85 | $158 |
Method: 10,000 simulated price paths using IP's historical volatility and drift, re-run daily. The base case is the median path; the two outer columns are the 10th and 90th percentile outcomes, which widen with time because uncertainty compounds. Simulations are not guarantees, and past volatility does not predict future returns. This is analysis, not investment advice.
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IP Insider Trading Analysis
Bought
$4.3M
4 Transactions
Sold
$2.6M
5 Transactions
Insiders
15
Active Traders
Avg Transaction
$768.6K
Moderate size
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2023 | SUTTON MARK S
Chief Executive Officer
|
Sell | 85.0K | $2.9M |
| Feb 14, 2019 | NICHOLLS TIMOTHY S
Officer
|
Sell | 45.0K | $2.1M |
| Sep 12, 2019 | NICHOLLS TIMOTHY S
Officer
|
Sell | 45.0K | $1.9M |
| Mar 11, 2021 | NICHOLLS TIMOTHY S
Officer
|
Sell | 33.0K | $1.8M |
| Mar 2, 2017 | ROBERTS CAROL L
Officer
|
Sell | 32.2K | $1.7M |
| May 21, 2021 | SIMS JOHN V
Officer
|
Sell | 23.9K | $1.5M |
| Dec 7, 2020 | RYAN SHARON R
General Counsel
|
Sell | 30.0K | $1.4M |
| Feb 27, 2017 | JOSEPH TOMMY S
Officer
|
Sell | 25.0K | $1.3M |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EALY CARLETON CATO
Officer
|
Sell | 22.0K | $1.2M |
| Feb 23, 2017 | HOEL WILLIAM P
Officer
|
Sell | 22.5K | $1.2M |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Paper's stock price forecast for 2030?
Based on Monte Carlo simulations, International Paper's stock price is projected to be $37.81 in 2030 under a base case scenario. The downside projection is $16.31, while the upside projection reaches $87.67. These figures represent statistical outcomes, not guaranteed price targets.
Is International Paper a buy right now?
International Paper is currently rated a 'Hold' by analysts, with a consensus score of 55. While the median analyst price target of $47.00 suggests a 33.0% upside from the current price of $35.33, the stock is trading below key moving averages with bearish momentum, indicating technical weakness.
What is International Paper's dividend yield?
International Paper currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 5.24%, with a dividend rate of $1.852.
How does International Paper's valuation compare to its sector?
International Paper's price-to-sales ratio of 0.76 is significantly lower than the sector average of 1.9, suggesting it may be undervalued on a sales basis. However, its P/E ratio is not applicable due to negative EPS, and its profit margins are negative compared to positive sector averages.
What are the key risks for International Paper?
Key risks include ongoing negative profitability, a bearish technical trend indicated by price action below moving averages and a low RSI, and recent revenue contraction. Inconsistent earnings performance also adds to the uncertainty surrounding the company's trajectory.
Are insiders buying or selling International Paper stock?
insiders are net sellers of International Paper stock, with total purchases of $4.3 million versus total sales of $2.6 million in recent filings. This indicates a slight positive signal from insider activity.
What is the outlook for International Paper's earnings and revenue?
Analysts project earnings to grow significantly in the coming quarters and years, with next year's EPS estimated at $3.01. Revenue is also expected to grow, with next year's estimate at $25.8 billion, representing a 5.00% year-over-year increase. This forward-looking growth contrasts with recent revenue contraction.