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M&A rumors + linerboard price hike → Stock surges 5.6%; +$900M EBITDA expected

International Paper shares jumped 5.6% on March 13 amid takeover speculation from Brazilian pulp company Suzano, fueled by director Anders Gustafsson purchasing over 26,000 shares. A $70-per-ton linerboard price increase effective March 1 is estimated to add nearly $900 million in annualized EBITDA, while the company plans to spin off its EMEA packaging business by early 2027 following the $9.9 billion DS Smith acquisition. However, shares hit a 52-week low of $35.45 amid recent weakness, and 2026 guidance of net sales $24.1-24.9 billion reflects near-term challenges.