INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ Do?
International Paper Company operates as a packaging company primarily in United States, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Pacific Rim, Asia, and rest of the Americas. It operates through two segments: Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers. The Industrial Packaging segment manufactures containerboards, including linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium, and saturating kraft. The Global Cellulose Fibers segment provides fluff, market, and specialty pulps that are used in absorbent hygiene products, such as baby diapers, feminine care, adult incontinence, and other non-woven products; tissue and paper products; and non-absorbent end applications, including textiles, filtration, construction material, paints and coatings, reinforced plastics, and other applications. It sells its products directly to end users and converters, as well as through agents, resellers, and paper distributors. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) is classified as a large-cap stock in the Industrials sector, specifically within the Business Supplies industry. The company is led by CEO Mark S. Sutton and employs approximately 39,000 people, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. With a market capitalization of $18.9B, IP is one of the prominent companies in the Industrials sector.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) Stock Rating — Reduce (April 2026)
As of April 2026, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ receives a Reduce rating with a composite score of 36.0/100 and 2 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.IP ranks #3,413 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Industrials sector, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ ranks #587 of 752 stocks, placing it in the lower half of its Industrials peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
IP Stock Price and 52-Week Range
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) currently trades at $36.78. The 52-week high for IP is $56.64, which means the stock is currently trading -35.1% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $35.45, putting the stock 3.8% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 0 shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.
Is IP Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) carries a value factor score of 20/100 in the Blank Capital model, signaling premium valuation that prices in significant future growth. The price-to-book ratio stands at 1.23x, versus the sector average of 2.23x. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.82x, compared to 0.50x for the average Industrials stock. On an enterprise value basis, IP trades at 11.14x EV/EBITDA, versus 5.70x for the sector.
At current multiples, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ trades at a premium to most Industrials peers. This elevated valuation may be justified if the company can sustain above-average growth rates and profitability, but it also creates downside risk if earnings disappoint expectations.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) earns a quality factor score of 44/100, signaling below-average profitability metrics relative to the broader market. The return on equity (ROE) is -8.3%, compared to the Industrials sector average of 8.9%, which is below typical expectations for high-quality companies. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at -3.2% versus the sector average of 3.3%.
On a margin basis, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ reports gross margins of 30.4%, compared to 35.8% for the sector. The operating margin is -1.7% (sector: 6.2%). Net profit margin stands at -4.8%, versus 3.9% for the average Industrials stock. Revenue growth is running at 31.4% on a trailing basis, compared to 6.4% for the sector. Profitability is below benchmark levels, which may reflect industry headwinds, elevated reinvestment, or structural challenges.
IP Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ has a debt-to-equity ratio of 156.0%, compared to the Industrials sector average of 70.0%. This elevated leverage warrants close monitoring, as it increases the company's sensitivity to rising interest rates and economic downturns. The current ratio is 1.28x, suggesting adequate working capital coverage. Total debt on the balance sheet is $12.54B. Cash and equivalents stand at $995M.
IP has a beta of 1.13, meaning it is roughly in line with the broader market in terms of price volatility. The stability factor score for INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ is 52/100, reflecting average volatility within the normal range for its sector.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ reported revenue of $22.31B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-6.95. Net income for the quarter was $-1.23B. Gross margin was 30.4%. Operating income came in at $-477M.
In FY 2025, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ reported revenue of $23.63B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-6.95. Net income for the quarter was $-3.52B. Gross margin was 29.6%. Revenue grew 26.9% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $-3.37B.
In Q3 2025, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ reported revenue of $6.22B and earnings per share (EPS) of $-2.09. Net income for the quarter was $-1.35B. Gross margin was 31.1%. Revenue grew 32.8% year-over-year compared to Q3 2024. Operating income came in at $-675M.
In Q2 2025, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ reported revenue of $6.14B and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.14. Net income for the quarter was $75M. Gross margin was 30.8%. Revenue grew 29.7% year-over-year compared to Q2 2024. Operating income came in at $116M.
Over the past 8 quarters, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $4.73B to $22.31B. Investors analyzing IP stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
IP Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) currently pays a dividend yield of 4.0%. At this yield, a $10,000 investment in IP stock would generate approximately $$404.00 in annual dividend income.
IP Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) has a momentum factor score of 27/100, signaling weak relative price performance. Stocks with low momentum scores have historically tended to continue underperforming in the near term. The investment factor score is 24/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 55/100 reflects moderate short selling activity.
IP vs Competitors — Industrials Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Within the Industrials sector, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) ranks #587 out of 752 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places IP in the lower half of all Industrials stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include South Bow Corp (SOBO) with a score of 56.5/100, TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LTD (TEN) with a score of 61.4/100, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock CORP (GLDD) with a score of 56.7/100, Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (TPH) with a score of 57.3/100, and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. (CCO) with a score of 52.2/100.
Comparing IP against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full IP vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
IP Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy IP? — Investment Thesis Summary
The quantitative profile for INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ suggests caution. The value score of 20/100 indicates premium valuation. Momentum is weak at 27/100, a headwind for near-term performance.
In summary, INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO /NEW/ (IP) earns a Reduce rating with a composite score of 36.0/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on IP stock.
Related Resources for IP Investors
Explore more research and tools: IP vs S&P 500 comparison, top Industrials stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare IP head-to-head with peers: IP vs SOBO, IP vs TEN, IP vs GLDD.