International Paper (NYSE:IP) shares dropped to $32.53, extending a months-long decline, as analysts weigh a potential 31.5% EPS decline against the company’s $360 million acquisition of North Pacific Paper. With 26 firms issuing ratings over the past year, the consensus sits at Hold—but the spread between a $27 low (Deutsche Bank, 2023) and a $57 high (B of A Securities, 2025) underscores how uneven analyst conviction remains.

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Current Price: $32.53 USD | 52-Week Range: $32.13–$56.13 | Volume: 4,189,757 | Price Target: $48 (RBC Capital) | Recent Change: -0.37%

Quick Snapshot: International Paper (IP)
Current Price
$32.53
NYSE: IP • Down 0.37% today
Source: Benzinga
Analyst View
Hold Consensus
Target: $48 (RBC) • Recent UBS downgrade • Acquisition underway
Source: StockAnalysis
Dividends
Quarterly Payments
History tracked via Koyfin • Consistent quarterly schedule
Source: MarketScreener
52-Week Range
$32.13–$56.13
Low: $32.13 • High: $56.13
Source: MarketBeat
Key Facts: International Paper (NYSE:IP)
Attribute Detail Source
Ticker IP (NYSE) International Paper
Current Price $32.53 Benzinga
Change Today -$0.12 (-0.37%) MarketBeat
Volume 4,189,757 StockAnalysis
Dividend Frequency Quarterly MarketScreener
Analyst Consensus Hold (2.43 score, 26 firms) MarketBeat

Analyst sentiment on International Paper divides sharply: Buy ratings cluster around $48–$54 targets from firms like RBC Capital and Citigroup, while Hold ratings dominate the consensus amid earnings pressure.

Is International Paper a buy or sell?

The rating split complicates a straightforward verdict. StockAnalysis documents 9 Buy-equivalent ratings averaging $45.67 with 39.88% upside, but the broader consensus sits at Hold with a 2.43 score (0 strong buy, 8 buy, 4 hold, 2 sell) per MarketBeat. The most recent move—UBS downgrading from Strong Buy to Hold on February 2, 2026, cutting its target from $51 to $44—signals deteriorating conviction among a formerly bullish analyst.

Analyst ratings

Recent actions tell a mixed story: Truist Securities maintained Buy at $44 (April 15, 2026), projecting 34.27% upside; RBC Capital lowered its target to $54 from $55 on January 30, 2026, still recommending Buy; Wells Fargo upgraded from Sell to Hold at $40 on the same date. The highest target, $57 from B of A Securities (August 28, 2025), now appears detached from current momentum.

Pros and cons

Bull Case

  • Upcoming acquisition of North Pacific Paper for $360M could expand recycled paper capacity
  • Consistent quarterly dividend provides yield support during price decline
  • 11 research reports in the past 90 days indicate active coverage and institutional attention
  • News sentiment score of 0.93 (positive) per MarketBeat suggests favorable media framing

Bear Case

  • Potential 31.5% EPS decline looming in next earnings report
  • Price already down from 52-week high of $56.13; downward momentum persists
  • UBS downgrade from $51 to $44 signals diminishing confidence in near-term upside
  • No strong buy ratings from Public.com aggregators (44% strong buy, 11% buy, 44% hold)—high conviction absent
Analyst nuance: While the consensus reads “Hold,” the 26 firms tracking IP span a $27–$57 target range. That 30-point spread reflects genuinely divergent views on whether the acquisition offsets earnings headwinds.

Recent performance

IP has traded between $32.13 and $56.13 over the past 52 weeks, placing the current $32.53 near the bottom of that range. The stock has declined roughly 42% from its 52-week high. Benzinga reported the most recent ratings from Truist ($44, April 15, 2026), Citigroup ($46–$47, April 14, 2026), and UBS ($44, April 10, 2026), all implying approximately 30.20% upside from current levels—but that upside requires sustained execution on an earnings recovery.

“RBC Capital Sticks to Its Buy Rating for International Paper Co (IP)”—The Globe and Mail, citing MarketBeat

What is the share price forecast for International Paper Co?

Forecasts range from $27 (Deutsche Bank, May 2023) to $57 (B of A Securities, August 2025), with the median consensus clustering around $44–$46 depending on which aggregator you consult. The divergence partly reflects different current-price baselines: MarketBeat cited $48.86 in late 2025 when projecting $53.85 (10.2% upside), while WallStreetZen anchors to $32.65 and forecasts $44.25 by April 15, 2027 (35.53% upside). Both are credible—they reflect different snapshots in time.

Short-term predictions

Zacks reports two short-term consensus figures: $44.79 from 11 analysts (low $40) and $56.28 from 12 analysts (high $65). Investing.com shows 13 analysts with a Buy consensus averaging $57.64 (+23.84% upside). MarketScreener reports 13 analysts rating OUTPERFORM at $54.24 average (+17.08% from $46.33). The implication: near-term forecasts depend heavily on whether the market prices in acquisition synergies or earnings deterioration first.

Long-term outlook

WallStreetZen projects $44.25 by April 15, 2027 (8 analysts, min $38, max $54). StockAnalysis shows an alternative 8-analyst consensus at $48.5 with Buy rating. Both suggest the stock has upside potential if earnings stabilize—but the 31.5% EPS decline risk could derail those forecasts.

“On average, Wall Street analysts predict that International Paper Co’s share price could reach $44.25 by Apr 15, 2027.”—WallStreetZen

Key factors

  • North Pacific Paper acquisition ($360M) could boost recycled paper segment—if integration succeeds
  • Earnings pressure: potential 31.5% EPS decline weighs on near-term sentiment
  • Analyst ratings updated frequently; next expected update around April 15, 2027 per Benzinga
  • Current price variance across sources ($32.77, $32.65, $36.19, $46.33) reflects different data timestamps
Data discrepancy: Current stock prices vary across sources ($32.77 on Benzinga vs $48.86 on MarketBeat’s October 2025 snapshot vs $36.19 on MarketScreener). Check a real-time feed for the latest price before making investment decisions.

How often does International Paper pay dividends?

International Paper maintains a quarterly dividend schedule. The exact payment dates and amounts can be tracked through MarketScreener or the company’s investor relations page. While the company lists analyst coverage on its official site, it does not publish specific forecast targets—leaving investors dependent on third-party aggregators for pricing data.

Payment frequency

International Paper pays dividends on a quarterly schedule, consistent with most large-cap industrial stocks. The yield provides some downside protection during periods of price decline.

Yield details

While specific yield percentages vary with stock price movement, the quarterly cadence ensures regular income for long-term holders. Investors should verify current yield through their brokerage platform.

“The latest price target for International Paper (NYSE:IP) was reported by Truist Securities on April 15, 2026, expecting IP to rise to within 12 months (a possible 34.27% upside).”—Benzinga analyst aggregator

Is International Paper a good stock to buy now?

The answer hinges on your time horizon and risk tolerance. For income-focused investors, the quarterly dividend and 52-week low proximity offer appeal. For growth-oriented investors, the EPS decline risk and analyst downgrades signal caution. The pattern: price near bottom, analyst targets offering 30–35% upside, but only if earnings stabilize.

Current valuation

Trading at $32.53 against a 52-week range of $32.13–$56.13 puts IP in the lower quartile of its annual trading band. StockAnalysis reports 9 analysts with Buy equivalent ratings averaging $45.67 target (39.88% upside from their baseline). The valuation picture: depressed but not necessarily cheap, pending earnings clarity.

Growth prospects

The North Pacific Paper acquisition could diversify revenue streams, but synergies take time to materialize. The 31.5% potential EPS decline noted in research creates a headwind that bulls must discount. The pattern: modest acquisition upside, significant earnings risk, unclear net direction.

Risks

  • Earnings miss could push price toward the $27 Deutsche Bank low (May 2023)
  • UBS downgrade signals institutional skepticism about near-term recovery
  • Current prices vary across sources—check real-time data before entry
Downgrade alert: UBS moved IP from Strong Buy to Hold on February 2, 2026, cutting its target from $51 to $44. This shift from one of the more bullish analysts warrants attention.

Why is International Paper stock down?

Several factors contribute: the broader pulp and paper sector faced margin pressure in 2025; the upcoming earnings report carries a projected 31.5% EPS decline; and the North Pacific Paper acquisition, while strategic, introduces integration risk. The stock’s decline from $56.13 to $32.53 reflects roughly 42% erosion—significant by any measure.

Recent news

MarketBeat documented RBC Capital sticking to its Buy rating on October 23, 2025, but that positive signal faded as earnings concerns mounted. The February 2, 2026 UBS downgrade from $51 to $44 and the January 30, 2026 Wells Fargo upgrade from $36 to $40 tell a tale of competing narratives—the upgrade wasn’t enough to offset the downgrade’s weight.

Earnings impact

The projected 31.5% EPS decline represents the primary near-term risk. If the company misses estimates, the stock could test support near $32.13. If it meets or beats, the analyst consensus at $44–$48 becomes more plausible.

What this means: The stock has already priced in substantial pessimism (42% below 52-week high). Whether that pessimism is warranted depends entirely on next earnings release. Position sizing matters here.

Analyst verdict: With a Hold consensus and a $44–$48 median target against a $32.53 current price, International Paper offers roughly 35% upside if earnings stabilize—but the 31.5% EPS decline risk could derail that scenario. The most recent downgrade (UBS) and most recent upgrade (Wells Fargo) cancel each other out, leaving the burden on execution.

Timeline of Key Analyst Updates

International Paper Analyst Rating Timeline
Date Analyst Firm Action Price Target Source
April 15, 2026 Truist Securities Maintained Buy $44 Benzinga
April 10, 2026 UBS Maintained Hold $44 Benzinga
February 2, 2026 UBS Downgrade Strong Buy to Hold $51 → $44 StockAnalysis
February 2, 2026 Citigroup Maintained Strong Buy $46–$47 StockAnalysis
January 30, 2026 RBC Capital Maintained Buy $55 → $54 StockAnalysis
January 30, 2026 Wells Fargo Upgrade Sell to Hold $36 → $40 StockAnalysis
January 12, 2026 UBS Maintained Strong Buy $53 → $51 StockAnalysis
December 22, 2025 Argus Research Strong Buy $50 WallStreetZen
December 5, 2025 JP Morgan Hold $46 WallStreetZen
October 23, 2025 RBC Capital Stuck to Buy N/A MarketBeat
August 28, 2025 B of A Securities Price Target $57 (high) Benzinga
May 1, 2023 Deutsche Bank Price Target $27 (low) Benzinga

The pattern: a series of upgrades and downgrades through late 2025 and early 2026, with the UBS downgrade in February 2026 representing the most significant shift in sentiment. The 26 firms reporting over the past year show genuine disagreement—not the unified view typical of either a strong buy or strong sell consensus.

Confirmed vs. Unclear Facts

Confirmed Facts

  • Current NYSE price: $32.53 (down 0.37%) — Benzinga
  • 52-week range: $32.13–$56.13 — MarketBeat
  • Quarterly dividend schedule — MarketScreener
  • 26 analyst firms reported ratings in the last year — Benzinga
  • UBS downgrade Strong Buy to Hold $51 to $44 on February 2, 2026 — StockAnalysis
  • Wells Fargo upgrade Sell to Hold $36 to $40 on January 30, 2026 — StockAnalysis
  • North Pacific Paper acquisition for $360M — Perplexity
  • International Paper official site lists analyst coverage but no specific forecasts — International Paper

What’s Unclear

  • Exact 2026 earnings forecast and whether the 31.5% EPS decline materializes
  • Impact of North Pacific Paper acquisition on revenue and margins
  • Whether current prices varying across sources ($32.65–$48.86) reflect data timing or actual market differences
  • Buy/sell consensus strength—some aggregators show more Buy ratings than others

Sources and External Links

Data in this article draws from the following sources:

Additional sources: The Globe and Mail (via MarketBeat) for RBC Capital quote. All cited sources are Tier 1 (official company) or Tier 2 (licensed financial aggregators).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current International Paper stock price?

As of the latest data, International Paper (NYSE:IP) trades at approximately $32.53, down 0.37% for the session. The stock has a 52-week range of $32.13–$56.13.

What are International Paper analyst ratings?

The consensus sits at Hold with a 2.43 score (0 strong buy, 8 buy, 4 hold, 2 sell per MarketBeat). Recent moves include UBS downgrading from Strong Buy to Hold ($51→$44) on February 2, 2026, and Wells Fargo upgrading from Sell to Hold ($36→$40) on January 30, 2026.

Does International Paper pay dividends?

Yes. International Paper maintains a quarterly dividend schedule. Specific payment dates and amounts can be verified through the company’s investor relations page or financial data aggregators.

What is International Paper stock news today?

Recent coverage focuses on the North Pacific Paper acquisition ($360M) and mixed analyst signals. RBC Capital has maintained its Buy rating, while UBS downgraded to Hold. The projected 31.5% EPS decline remains a concern heading into the next earnings report.

Is IP stock undervalued?

Trading at $32.53 near the 52-week low ($32.13), IP offers roughly 35% upside to the $44–$48 median analyst target. Whether that represents value depends on whether the projected EPS decline materializes—and whether the North Pacific Paper acquisition delivers synergies.

What affects International Paper share price?

Key drivers include: quarterly earnings results (especially the projected 31.5% EPS decline), North Pacific Paper acquisition integration, analyst rating changes, broader pulp and paper sector trends, and dividend yield support at depressed prices.

Why is International Paper stock down?

The stock has declined roughly 42% from its 52-week high of $56.13 to the current $32.53. Primary factors include earnings pressure (potential 31.5% EPS decline), the February 2026 UBS downgrade signaling reduced confidence, and broader sector weakness in pulp and paper markets.