International Paper Company
IP · NYSE
Company research
International Paper Company (NYSE: IP), founded in 1898 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, is a global leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions with operations in more than 30 countries and approximately 65,000 employees worldwide. The company operates through two principal business segments — Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers — with its Industrial Packaging division producing containerboard and corrugated packaging products, accounting for roughly one-third of the North American corrugated packaging market. International Paper significantly expanded its European footprint through its 2025 acquisition of DS Smith, strengthening its position across the EMEA region, while its Global Cellulose Fibers segment supplies fluff, market, and specialty pulps used in absorbent hygiene products, textiles, and various industrial applications. Under the leadership of CEO Andrew K. Silvernail, the company generated approximately $23.63 billion in annual revenue and carries a market capitalization of approximately $20.5 billion, serving a broad range of end markets including e-commerce, food and beverage, retail, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing.
Research reports
Flash · July 9, 2026International Paper Company (IP) Stock Research Report
Positions IP as a discounted restructuring opportunity, with upside driven by DS Smith integration, Global Cellulose Fibers divestiture, North America/EMEA spin-off, containerboard price increases, and roughly $710 million of run-rate cost savings, supported by scenario analysis that yields a probability-weighted target around $48.55 per share versus a current price near $38. The report emphasizes catalysts such as pricing realization, Norpac synergies, and margin recovery while highlighting key risks around elevated leverage, execution of the split, macro sensitivity, and potential dividend pressure if free cash flow underperforms guidance.
StockStory · June 24, 2026International Paper (IP) Research Report (Q1 CY2026 Update)Rates IP “Underperform” and argues it is at risk of being a value trap, citing sluggish five-year revenue CAGR, sharply declining EPS, weak and deteriorating operating margins, and low, falling ROIC, despite a modest Q1 2026 beat on revenue and improved operating margin and free cash flow. The report concludes there are better stocks to own, noting that consensus one‑year price targets around $39.36 imply limited upside from the then-current price and that IP’s long‑term earnings and cash trends do not justify re‑rating the shares.
Finterra · March 20, 2026The Radical Simplification of International Paper: A 2026 Research Deep DiveProvides a narrative deep dive on IP’s “New IP” transformation, analyzing the DS Smith acquisition, Global Cellulose Fibers sale, planned North America/EMEA split, margin and EBITDA guidance, and CEO Andrew Silvernail’s 80/20 strategy, and frames the stock as a restructuring play on the plastic‑to‑paper transition with potential value unlock from synergies and spin‑off execution. The stance is cautiously optimistic but emphasizes significant execution, cyclical, input‑cost, and legacy environmental-liability risks, noting that the market’s “show me” attitude reflects skepticism until IP delivers on its 2026–2027 margin and leverage targets.
Artificall · February 27, 2026Is International Paper a Value Trap? 2026 Financial ReviewOffers a quantitative fundamental review of IP’s 2021–2025 financials, highlighting the 2025 net loss of about $3.52 billion, negative net margin of roughly −14%, sharply negative ROE and ROIC, and an Altman Z‑Score in the distress zone, and concludes that IP is currently destroying shareholder value despite solid gross margins and a mid‑single‑digit dividend yield. The report characterizes IP as highly speculative with solvency and dividend‑sustainability risk, assigning a cautious “C” rating and warning that persistent losses and weak Piotroski and interest‑coverage metrics make the stock inappropriate for conservative investors absent clear evidence of a turnaround.