International Paper Shares Rise as Wells Fargo Upgrades Rating
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 30 2026
0mins
Should l Buy IP?
Source: seekingalpha
- Rating Upgrade: Wells Fargo upgraded International Paper's rating from Underweight to Equal Weight, raising the price target from $36 to $40, reflecting confidence in the company's strategy to spin off its EMEA segment, which is expected to enhance overall operational efficiency.
- Operational Improvements: Over the past two years, International Paper has made significant improvements to its North American operations, although substantial efforts are still needed to meet lofty 2027 targets, with analysts noting that the EMEA business is lagging, indicating that independent operations may yield better results.
- Acquisition Impact: The recent acquisition of Europe-heavy DS Smith has strengthened both regions, yet the decision to separate them appears to reverse the acquisition strategy, highlighting a shift in the company's transatlantic operational approach.
- Financial Guidance: The company guided FY 2026 EBITDA to a range of $3.5B-$3.7B, aligning with the $3.64B analyst consensus, with free cash flow forecasted at $300M-$500M and capital spending between $1.95B-$2.05B, indicating a solid financial outlook.
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Analyst Views on IP
Wall Street analysts forecast IP stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 49.170
Low
36.00
Averages
48.35
High
57.80
Current: 49.170
Low
36.00
Averages
48.35
High
57.80
About IP
International Paper Company provides sustainable packaging solutions. The Company is a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products. Its segments include Packaging Solutions North America, Packaging Solutions EMEA and Global Cellulose Fibers. Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA segments are primarily focused on producing fiber-based packaging. It produces linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft of which a majority of its production is converted into corrugated packaging and other packaging. Global Cellulose Fibers segment primarily focuses on producing cellulose fibers which is a renewable raw material used in a variety of products people depend on every day such as diapers, towel and tissue products, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products. Its specialty pulps serve as a sustainable raw material used in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings and more.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Webcast Access: Interested parties can listen to the webcast via the company's website under the Investors tab, enhancing interaction with investors and improving transparency and trust.
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- Webcast Availability: Interested parties can access the live webcast via the company's website under the Investors tab, enhancing interaction with investors and increasing transparency and trust.
- Replay Accessibility: A replay of the presentation will be available approximately three hours after the event, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access critical information, thereby broadening the dissemination of key insights.
- Company Vision: International Paper is committed to empowering customers and shareholders by delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, emphasizing its leadership position in the industry and commitment to sustainability, further solidifying its competitive edge in the market.
See More
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- Impact of Rating Changes: Upgrades and downgrades from analysts can lead to stock price volatility, necessitating that investors closely monitor these changes to adjust their investment strategies accordingly.
- Market Dynamics Observation: Changes in the overall market environment and economic data may also impact analysts' rating decisions, requiring investors to remain vigilant to address potential market risks.
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- Earnings Beat: Cirrus Logic reported third-quarter earnings of $2.97 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.44 per share, indicating a significant improvement in profitability and boosting investor confidence.
- Sales Growth: The company achieved quarterly sales of $580.620 million, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $533.890 million, demonstrating strong market demand and driving sustained performance growth.
- Stock Surge: Following the positive earnings report, Cirrus Logic's shares jumped 7.6% to $134.10 on Wednesday, reflecting market optimism regarding the company's future growth potential.
- Optimistic Guidance: Cirrus Logic provided fourth-quarter sales guidance that is expected to exceed market estimates, further solidifying its competitive position in the semiconductor industry.
See More
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- Price Increase Announcement: Cascades has announced a $70 per ton increase for linerboard and white top, a $25 per ton increase for medium, and a $60 per ton increase for uncoated recycled board, effective March 2, aimed at addressing rising labor, logistics, and production costs, which is expected to enhance overall industry profitability.
- Demand Expectations: Analysts indicate that this price hike reflects expectations for seasonally stronger demand in the coming months, suggesting that Cascades' pricing adjustments may prompt other producers to follow suit, thereby further driving price increases across the industry.
- Industry Impact: Cascades' price increase is viewed positively for peers such as International Paper, Packaging Corporation of America, and Smurfit Westrock, all of which have announced similar price hikes for 2026, indicating a favorable trend for the sector as a whole.
- Support for Recycled Board Market: The $60 per ton increase for uncoated recycled board marks the first price hike for this category this year, and as the fourth-largest URB producer in North America, Cascades' move is expected to support companies like Sonoco Products and Greif that are significantly exposed to the recycled board markets.
See More
International Paper CEO to Speak at BofA Conference
- Conference Details: International Paper CEO Andy Silvernail will speak at the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference on February 26, 2026, starting at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time, showcasing the company's leadership in the industry.
- Webcast Access: Interested parties can listen to the webcast via the company's website under the Investors tab, enhancing interaction with investors and improving transparency and trust.
- Replay Availability: A replay of the webcast will be available approximately three hours after the presentation, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access key information, thereby increasing information accessibility.
- Company Mission: International Paper is dedicated to empowering customers and shareholders by delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, emphasizing its leadership in corrugated packaging and aiming to strengthen supply chains and sustainability through collaboration with industry partners.
See More
International Paper CEO to Speak at Agriculture Conference
- Conference Details: International Paper CEO Andy Silvernail is scheduled to speak at the Bank of America Securities 2026 Global Agriculture and Materials Conference on February 26, 2026, starting at 8:15 a.m. Eastern Time, showcasing the company's strategic insights in the agriculture sector.
- Webcast Availability: Interested parties can access the live webcast via the company's website under the Investors tab, enhancing interaction with investors and increasing transparency and trust.
- Replay Accessibility: A replay of the presentation will be available approximately three hours after the event, ensuring that investors who cannot attend live can still access critical information, thereby broadening the dissemination of key insights.
- Company Vision: International Paper is committed to empowering customers and shareholders by delivering innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, emphasizing its leadership position in the industry and commitment to sustainability, further solidifying its competitive edge in the market.
See More
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- Rating Downgrade: UBS downgraded International Paper from Buy to Neutral, primarily due to rising and prolonged transformation costs that are pressuring earnings and delaying the company's recovery.
- Price Target Cut: The bank reduced its price target for International Paper from $51 to $44, arguing that cost savings from the 80/20 program are offset by elevated facility rationalization expenses in North America and Europe.
- Earnings Outlook Decline: UBS analyst Anojja Shah now expects EBITDA to fall short of company targets in both 2026 and 2027, with estimates running below market consensus, indicating increased execution risk for the company.
- Separation Plan Uncertainty: International Paper's plan to split its U.S. and European businesses into two publicly traded companies raises concerns; while UBS estimates this could unlock about 10% value, the timing may not alleviate investor frustration with earnings volatility and shifting strategies.
See More
Wall Street Analysts Adjust Ratings
- Analyst Rating Changes: Top Wall Street analysts have adjusted their ratings on several companies, indicating a shift in market sentiment that could influence investor decisions and market trends.
- AMZN Stock Outlook: Analysts' opinions on Amazon (AMZN) stock reveal a divergence in expectations for its future performance, prompting investors to pay attention to the latest ratings and price targets.
- Impact of Rating Changes: Upgrades and downgrades from analysts can lead to stock price volatility, necessitating that investors closely monitor these changes to adjust their investment strategies accordingly.
- Market Dynamics Observation: Changes in the overall market environment and economic data may also impact analysts' rating decisions, requiring investors to remain vigilant to address potential market risks.
See More
