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International Paper(IP)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$33.69
10/20/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for IP

10/20/2026: IP (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

International Paper is a mature, global leader in fiber-based packaging and pulp products, serving the e-commerce and industrial sectors. Its core strength lies in its extensive manufacturing scale and vertical integration, which helps navigate commodity price volatility. The company's primary investment story centers on its strategic pivot toward high-demand packaging solutions and operational efficiency. However, investors must weigh these factors against significant risks, including cyclical demand shifts, high capital requirements, and integration challenges from large-scale acquisitions. The stock generally suits value and dividend-focused investors seeking exposure to the materials sector while monitoring developments in industrial demand and acquisition synergy realization.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company is a mature, cyclical player rather than a high-growth technology firm.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveMomentum investors may find opportunities during cycles of rising demand and pricing power.
Value investorStrong fitThe stock often trades at valuations reflective of its steady cash flow and asset base.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company is historically committed to returning capital via regular dividends.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile established, the stock is subject to cyclical industry volatility and commodity price risks.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highCyclical commodity pricing directly impacts revenue and margin predictability.
Valuation riskMediumThe stock's valuation is tied to industrial cycle expectations.
Competition risk (packaging industry)HighAggressive pricing from peers like WestRock can compress margins.
Business qualityMediumHigh capital intensity limits the agility of the business model.
Dividend incomeStrongConsistent payouts make it attractive to income-focused portfolios.
Execution riskMediumLarge scale acquisitions require successful integration to realize synergies.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -31.4%
Avg. Invested days 29
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/20/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
IP receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
IP has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with soft financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid revenue growth (+33.7%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-731.2%), weak cash generation (FCF margin -0.6%), weak profitability (net margin -14.1%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
IP's financial health is soft, with the relatively strongest area being moderate liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 5.8%). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 2-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is IP's strongest growth driver at +33.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-731.2%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-121.0%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 102.5% and approximately 99.5% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.24%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Capital Research Global Investors 14.82%
BlackRock Inc 9.62%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 8.59%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.52%
State Street Corp 6.23%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
IP generates approximately $295 of gross profit, $-113 of operating income, and $-6 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Operating losses and cash burn explain the 1-star rating, with weak cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 15.88%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
IP has a large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Large / Mega Cap StabilityShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 17.87B USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 45.09
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 45.09
Volume (30-day avg) 5.5M shares
Beta 0.89
52 Weeks Range 28.51 - 48.47
Updated Date 10/19/2026
52 Weeks Range 28.51 - 48.47
Updated Date 10/19/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 5.43%
Basic EPS (TTM) -5.17

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Industrial PackagingContainerboard and boxes for e-commerce and industrial shipping.This is the primary revenue driver, tied to the overall health of consumer spending and shipping.
Global Cellulose FibersFluff pulp for absorbent consumer products.This segment provides steady demand based on everyday consumer hygiene needs.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-28
When Before Market
Estimate 0.3
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin -14.21%
Operating Margin (TTM) 2.3%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 1.59%
Return on Equity (TTM) -16.48%

Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 11.74
Enterprise Value 27.87B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74
Enterprise Value 27.87B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.74
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.15
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 339.85
Shares Outstanding 529.57M
Shares Floating 527.12M
Shares Outstanding 529.57M
Shares Floating 527.12M
Percent Insiders 0.24
Percent Institutions 102.53

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.