International Paper Company (IP) - Company Profile - 2026-04-21
Company Overview
International Paper Company (IP) is a United States-based consumer cyclical company operating in the packaging and containers industry. The company employs about 62,602 people and maintains a website at https://www.internationalpaper.com. Founded in 1898, IP is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The firm focuses on renewable fiber-based packaging and serves customers across multiple regions, including North America, Latin America, Europe, South America, and North Africa.
Business and Operations
IP’s business is organized around two primary segments: Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA. The company manufactures linerboard, medium, whitetop, and saturating kraft and converts containerboard into corrugated boxes, bulk bins, shipping containers, and specialty packaging via its converting facilities. Its packaging and containerboard products support a broad set of industries, including food and beverage, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. The geographic footprint spans North America, Europe, and other global markets, enabling diversified customer exposure. IP’s long-standing history (founded in 1898) and centralized headquarters in Memphis situate it within the established North American packaging sector.
Fundamental Metrics
- Market Cap: $18.76B
- Enterprise Value: $28.93B
- P/E (Trailing): n/a
- P/E (Forward): 12.80
- P/B: 1.26
- P/S: 0.79
- PEG: 1.58
- Profit Margin: -14.88%
- Operating Margin: 6.48%
- ROE: -24.68%
- ROA: 2.47%
- Debt/Equity: 71.07
- Current Ratio: 1.28
- Revenue (TTM): $23.63B
- Revenue Growth (YoY): 53.10%
- Earnings Growth (YoY): n/a
- Free Cash Flow: $553.25M
- Dividend Yield: 5.01%
- Payout Ratio: 158.12%
- Beta: 1.10
Share Structure and Ownership
- Shares Outstanding: 529,486,211
- Float: 527,033,868
- Insider Held: 0.19%
- Institutional Held: 102.70%
- Short Ratio (Days to Cover): 6.88
- Short % of Float: 15.80%
Top institutional holders:
- Vanguard Group Inc: 12.15%
- Capital International Investors: 11.98%
- Price (T.Rowe) Associates Inc: 11.89%
- Capital Research Global Investors: 10.30%
- BlackRock Inc.: 8.09%
Trading Activity
- Last Close: $35.44 on 2026-04-21
- 1-Month Change: +4.98%
- 3-Month Change: -18.83%
- YTD Change: -11.95%
- 1-Year Change: -23.75%
- 52-Week High: $56.13
- 52-Week Low: $33.57
- [Drawdown](https://aksoycapital.com/glossary/drawdown.html) from 52W High: -36.86%
- 30-Day Avg Volume: 6,556,800
- 90-Day Avg Volume: 6,565,767
Recent Price Action
As of 2026-04-21, IP closed at $35.44. Over the past 1 month, the stock rose 4.98%; over the past 3 months, it declined 18.83%; the year-to-date performance is down 11.95%; and the 1-year change is down 23.75%. The stock has traded within a 52-week range of $33.57 to $56.13, resulting in a drawdown of 36.86% from the 52-week high. Average daily trading volumes over the last 30 and 90 days were approximately 6.56 million and 6.57 million shares, respectively.
Strengths
- Geographic reach across North America, Latin America, Europe, South America, and North Africa.
- Two primary operating segments: Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA.
- Product portfolio includes linerboard, medium, whitetop, saturating kraft, and containerboard conversions into corrugated boxes, bulk bins, shipping containers, and specialty packaging.
- Service to diverse industries, including food and beverage, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
- Revenue growth (YoY) of 53.10% (TTM) and positive operating margin (6.48%) as provided.
- Dividend yield of 5.01% and free cash flow of $553.25M.
- Market presence supported by substantial institutional ownership (102.70% institutional held) and notable top holders.
Considerations
- Profitability shows a negative net margin (-14.88%) and negative return on equity (-24.68%); ROA stands at 2.47%.
- Forward price multiples indicate a P/E of 12.80 and a P/B of 1.26, with a PEG of 1.58.
- Payout ratio is high at 158.12%, suggesting distributions exceed earnings under certain conditions.
- Leverage is notable with a Debt/Equity ratio of 71.07.
- The stock has experienced meaningful drawdown from its 52-week high (-36.86%) and a 1-year price decline (-23.75%).
- Short interest is 15.80% of the float and the short ratio is 6.88 days, which may indicate elevated near-term trading activity.
Summary
International Paper Company operates as a U.S.-based packaging and containerboard manufacturer with two regional segments, Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA. It reports TTM revenue of $23.63B, a forward P/E of 12.80, and a dividend yield of 5.01%, along with a free cash flow of $553.25M. As of 2026-04-21, IP traded at $35.44, within a 52-week range of $33.57 to $56.13, and displayed a 1-month gain of 4.98% amid broader declines over longer horizons.