International Paper (NYSE:IP) Shares Sold by B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lessened its position in International Paper (NYSE:IP) by 89.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,774 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 105,185 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG’s holdings in International Paper were worth $687,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in International Paper during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in International Paper in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in International Paper in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management increased its stake in International Paper by 67.0% during the 4th quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management now owns 536 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 215 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of International Paper by 313.3% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 591 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 448 shares during the period. 81.95% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

International Paper Stock Down 2.6 %

Shares of NYSE:IP opened at $47.89 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.79. International Paper has a 52 week low of $33.16 and a 52 week 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 company has a market cap of $25.20 billion, a PE ratio of 30.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.99.

International Paper (NYSE:IP) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The basic materials company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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, research analysts expect that International Paper will post 2.77 earnings per share for the current year.

International Paper Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 24th were paid a dividend of $0.4625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 24th. This represents a $1.85 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.86%. International Paper’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 117.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on IP. Citigroup assumed coverage on International Paper in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “buy” rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $64.00 price objective (down previously from $65.00) on shares of International Paper in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America began coverage on International Paper in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of International Paper in a report on Thursday, March 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $59.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $64.00 price objective on shares of International Paper in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus 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.