International Paper CompanyNYSE: IP
Materials · Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials
$37.46
+18.90%
Vol: 658K
Research Digest
Monday, June 15, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 14International Paper shares jumped 9.7% on June 11 as the company completed its $360M NORPAC acquisition and won noteholder approval to assume DS Smith debt.Positive▶
On June 11, 2026, International Paper shares surged 9.7% to about $34.95. The rally followed the June 4 completion of IP's $360M acquisition of North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), which the company says adds system flexibility, and a win of noteholder approval to assume DS Smith debt obligations as it advances that combination with no change to profit forecasts. IP had a solid Q1 2026, reversing a prior-year loss with adjusted EBITDA of $677M and net sales of $5.97B (up from $5.26B a year earlier), and Wells Fargo had upgraded the stock to Overweight in early May with a $39 target. The bear case is that the stock is still down roughly 28% over the past year, integration of DS Smith and NORPAC carries execution risk, and the one-day pop outpaced any clearly disclosed fresh catalyst.
May 21International Paper shares rose ~4.1% on May 20 after announcing the acquisition of Delmarva Corrugated Packaging in Dover, Delaware; board declared a $0.4625 quarterly dividend.Positive▶
On May 20, 2026, International Paper announced the acquisition of Delmarva Corrugated Packaging (DCP) in Dover, Delaware, expanding capacity for sustainable corrugated packaging on the East Coast; shares jumped about 4.1%. On May 12, the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share covering Q2 2026, payable June 12, 2026 to holders of record May 22. At the May 11 annual meeting, shareowners re-elected all 11 directors, ratified Deloitte and Touche as 2026 auditor and approved executive pay. The deal follows Q1 2026 revenue of $5.97B (+13.4% YoY), though margins remained under pressure and management has guided 2026 EBITDA lower amid cost and macro headwinds. Risk: even with the bolt-on deal, near-term containerboard pricing and integration of recent moves remain headwinds.
May 20International Paper acquired Delmarva converting facility in Dover, Delaware on May 18 to expand East Coast packaging capacity.Mixed▶
On May 18, 2026, International Paper announced the acquisition of a converting facility from Delmarva in Dover, Delaware, expanding its East Coast operations and sustainable packaging capacity. On May 12, the board declared a $0.4625 quarterly common dividend and a $1.00 preferred dividend payable June 12. Q1 2026 revenue was $5.97B (up 13.4% YoY) but margin pressures pushed shares lower. Early-May analyst actions were mixed: Wells Fargo upgraded to Overweight (PT $39), while UBS cut PT to $32 from $40 and Citi cut to $36 from $44. Risk: margin pressure and rising operational costs continue to weigh against top-line growth from M&A integration.
May 19International Paper acquired Delmarva converting facility in Dover, DE on May 18 and declared $0.4625 quarterly dividend amid weak share performanceMixed▶
On May 18, 2026, International Paper announced it acquired a converting facility from Delmarva Corrugated Packaging in Dover, Delaware, expanding East Coast operations and capacity for sustainable packaging solutions. On May 12, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share for the April 1 - June 30, 2026 period, payable June 12 to shareholders of record May 22. The stock is under heavy pressure, down 4% over the past day, 8% over the past week, 18% over the past month, 38% over 3 months, and 37% over the past year, closing recently at $30.26. Q1 2026 revenue rose 13.4% YoY to $5.97 billion but margin pressures and macroeconomic challenges led to downward EBITDA guidance adjustments. Valuation debate continues with some narratives suggesting fair value near $46.47.
May 18No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 15International Paper declares $0.4625 quarterly dividend on May 12 amid Q1 margin pressure and box shipment declineMixed▶
International Paper declared a $0.4625 quarterly dividend on May 12 for Q2 2026, payable June 12 to holders of record May 22, plus a $1.00 dividend on its cumulative $4.00 preferred stock. Q1 2026 revenue rose 13.4% to $5.97B but margin pressures sent shares down with North American daily box shipments falling 11% year-over-year. The company is adjusting 2026 EBITDA guidance downward due to rising costs and preparing to split the company into two geographically distinct publicly traded entities (Americas and EMEA). Analysts maintain Moderate Buy consensus with mean PT of $41.64. Stock recently rose 4.40% to $31.76 May 1. Risk: weakening box demand and elevated input costs.
May 14International Paper declares Q2 dividend, faces UBS price target cut to $32, and progresses on company separation plan.Mixed▶
International Paper declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share for Q2 2026 payable June 12, 2026. On May 5, UBS analyst Anojja Shah reiterated a Neutral rating but lowered the price target to $32 from $40. Q1 2026 net sales climbed 13.4% YoY to $5.97 billion with EPS of $0.15 beating the $0.14 forecast, though the company lowered FY 2026 North America Packaging EBITDA guidance to $2.35B-$2.5B from prior $2.5B-$2.6B range on rising costs. IP agreed to acquire North Pacific Paper Co. from One Rock Capital Partners for $360 million. The company is preparing for a strategic split into two geographically distinct publicly traded companies. Shareowners approved 11 directors and ratified Deloitte at the 2026 annual meeting.
May 13International Paper declared a $0.4625 dividend on May 12 and shareholders re-elected 11 directors May 11 as Wells Fargo upgraded to Overweight with a $39 target.Mixed▶
International Paper declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share on May 12, 2026, payable June 12, 2026 to holders of record May 22. At the May 11 annual meeting, shareholders re-elected all 11 directors, ratified Deloitte as 2026 auditor, and backed executive pay. Wells Fargo upgraded IP to Overweight from Equal Weight on May 4, 2026, raising its price target to $39 from $38. Q1 2026 results showed net sales of $5.97B (up 13.4% YoY following the DS Smith integration), but earnings from continuing operations were just $76M with adjusted EBITDA of $677M. The company plans to separate its North American and EMEA packaging businesses into two independent public companies, with the EMEA spin-off targeted for completion in 12-15 months. Risk: daily box shipments fell 11% YoY and North American revenue/EBITDA both missed forecasts, raising concerns about pricing power and integration execution.
May 12International Paper holds virtual annual meeting on May 11 with shareowners voting on 11 directors and the planned EMEA packaging spin-off targeted within 12-15 months.Mixed▶
International Paper held its virtual annual shareholder meeting on May 11, 2026, asking owners to elect 11 directors, ratify Deloitte & Touche as 2026 auditor, and approve executive compensation on a non-binding basis, with the proxy reiterating plans to spin off the EMEA packaging business as an independent publicly traded company within 12-15 months. The vote follows Q1 2026 net sales of $5.97B (+13% YoY) but margin pressure that led to a downward 2026 EBITDA guidance revision. Bear case: UBS and Citi cut price targets on May 4 ($32 from $40 and $36 from $44 respectively), and shares are down ~25% over the past year as DS Smith integration costs and softer containerboard pricing pressure earnings.
May 11International Paper price targets cut by UBS to $32 from $40 and Citi to $36 from $44 on May 4 after Q1 revealed 11% YoY drop in daily box shipments and downward 2026 EBITDA guidance.Negative▶
International Paper had price targets cut by UBS (to $32 from $40) and Citi (to $36 from $44) on May 4. The cuts followed Q1 2026 results showing revenue of $5.97B (up 13.4% YoY post-DS Smith merger) but EBITDA pressure with North American adjusted EBITDA of $433M below forecast. Daily box shipments fell 11% YoY reflecting weak containerboard and fluff pulp demand. The company adjusted its 2026 EBITDA guidance downward due to rising costs. IP received $1.1B from the Global Cellulose Fibers sale and paid down $660M of debt. Shares closed at $31.86 on May 6, down 8.4% over 30 days. Risk: persistent box demand weakness and integration costs from DS Smith.
May 8Q1 revenue $5.97B up 13.4%, but margin pressure and reduced 2026 EBITDA outlook pressure stockNegative▶
International Paper reported Q1 2026 revenue of $5.971 billion, up 13.4% YoY, with net income improving to $60 million from prior-year loss of $105 million. However, facing margin pressures from macroeconomic headwinds and rising costs, leading to reduced 2026 EBITDA guidance. Company executing portfolio transformation with acquisitions and plans to separate North American and EMEA packaging into two independent public companies in 12-15 months. Stock down 25.3% over past 12 months. Analyst PT of $42.30 implies 26.19% upside.
May 7Q1 net sales $5.97B up 13.4%; returns to profitability; plans 12-15 month EMEA spinoffPositive▶
International Paper reported Q1 2026 net sales of $5.97B, up 13.4% YoY, with earnings from continuing operations of $76M (vs. $124M loss in Q1 2025). North America segment operating profit jumped to $248M from $142M. Company closed $1.1B sale of Global Cellulose Fibers business and agreed to acquire North Pacific Paper Company for $360M to enhance West Coast containerboard capacity. Announced plans to separate combined EMEA Packaging business into independent publicly traded company within 12-15 months, retaining focused North America business. North America 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance lowered to $2.35-2.5B from $2.5-2.6B.
May 6International Paper Q1 revenue surges 13.4% but guidance cut; NORPAC acquisition and $360M Mississippi investment announcedMixed▶
International Paper reported Q1 2026 revenue of $5.97B (up 13.4% YoY) with return to profitability at $0.14 basic EPS, reversing prior losses. However, the company slashed 2026 guidance citing margin pressures: North America adjusted EBITDA now $2.35-2.5B (down from $2.5-2.6B) and EMEA $900M-1B (down from $1-1.1B). Strategic moves include acquiring NORPAC for $360M to expand West Coast capacity and a $225M greenfield sustainable packaging facility in Mississippi commencing construction in June 2026 (operations Q4 2027). The EMEA 80/20 optimization has delivered $200M+ in run-rate savings with 31 facility closures and 2,800+ positions eliminated. Mixed analyst sentiment: Citi cut price target to $36 from $44 on May 4, while Wells Fargo upgraded to Overweight. Business split into North America and EMEA operations proceeding as planned.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWSMURFIT | $44.87 | +18.89% | +1.0% | 11.9x | 0.94 | $19.8B |
| PKGPACKAGING | $231.24 | +8.18% | +1.5% | 17.5x | 0.83 | $19.0B |
| AMCRAMCOR | $42.15 | +9.48% | +2.7% | 9.0x | 0.63 | $17.8B |
| IPINTERNATIONAL | $37.46 | +18.90% | +3.6% | 11.8x | 0.90 | $16.7B |
| AVYAVERY | $161.75 | +1.79% | +1.3% | 14.2x | 0.85 | $12.2B |
| LINLINDE | $519.59 | +0.99% | +0.7% | 26.1x | 0.74 | $237.9B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.