International Paper Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:IP)

International Paper (NYSE:IP) was the target of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Stock traders bought 9,831 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 140% compared to the average daily volume of 4,102 call options.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On International Paper

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $403,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $9,950,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Yoffe Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of International Paper during the 4th quarter worth $378,000. Finally, LifeWealth Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Paper in the 4th quarter worth about $432,000. Institutional investors own 81.95% of the company’s stock.

International Paper Stock Up 5.7 %

Shares of International Paper stock traded up $3.03 on Tuesday, hitting $55.86. The company had a trading volume of 6,936,211 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,850,542. International Paper has a 1 year low of $33.16 and a 1 year high of $60.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $54.94 and a 200-day moving average of $53.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.02.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.05). International Paper had a net margin of 2.99% and a return on equity of 4.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were given a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.31%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 24th. International Paper’s payout ratio is 117.83%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on IP. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 price target on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and set a $64.00 target price (down from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of International Paper in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, February 13th. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded International Paper from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, March 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $55.32.

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.