IPContainerboard and corrugated packaging
International Paper
Not investment advice. Kevin may own this stock. How we value stocks
By Kevin Amado
Updated
- Price
- $33.94
- Analysts view
- Bullish
- Discount category
- Below intrinsic value
- Pick status
- Top pick
- Next earnings
- Earnings Jan 28 · · estimated
- Market cap
- $18B
- Shares of Oct 30, 2026
- Yield at current rate
- 5.5%
- Current annual rate, at the price of Nov 13, 2026
- Dividend yield
- 5.5%
- Last 12 months, at the price of Nov 13, 2026
- EPS (trailing)
- -$6.72
- 12 months to Sep 30, 2026
- 52-week range
- $29.26 – $50.25
- To Nov 12, 2026
- Beta
- 0.95
- Vs S&P 500, 5 years monthly, to Oct 30, 2026
- Average volume
- 5.2M
- 3 months, to Nov 12, 2026
Check the numbers:ExchangeGoogle FinanceYahoo FinanceSEC filings
In short
- Thesis
- The market doubts the soft box demand and the loss-making EMEA business of International Paper, and higher North American margins with a clean EMEA separation through 2028 can lift its value.
- Gap
- Slow. The North American margin gains and the EMEA separation take several years, and the Q4 2026 report, expected in late January 2027, is only the first test.
Company guidance: Packaging Solutions North America adjusted EBITDA: 2026 $2.27 to $2.31 billion; Q4 2026 $700 to $740 million (, Q3 2026 results release (8-K))
Price history
About
International Paper Company (International Paper) is based in Memphis, Tennessee. It makes containerboard and corrugated boxes in North America and in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). It bought DS Smith, a UK packaging company, on January 31, 2025, and its shares also have a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange. It sold its Global Cellulose Fibers business on January 23, 2026 and bought the NORPAC mill in Longview, Washington on June 4, 2026.
Net sales were $6,197 million in Q3 2026: $3,880 million from Packaging Solutions North America and $2,280 million from Packaging Solutions EMEA. The common stock trades on the NYSE in US dollars. International Paper files 10-K and 10-Q reports.
Thesis
The price of International Paper depends on whether its North American box business can reach higher margins while the EMEA business from DS Smith loses money and moves toward a separation. Packaging Solutions North America had a segment operating profit of $427 million in Q3 2026, and the company guides its 2026 adjusted EBITDA at $2.27 billion to $2.31 billion. Packaging Solutions EMEA had an operating loss of $73 million in Q3 2026, and the company recorded a goodwill impairment of $1.38 billion for it. Free cash flow was negative $267 million in Q3 because capital spending was high.
For the price to rise, four things must be true. Price increases and cost cuts in North America must continue while box demand is soft. The Riverdale mill conversion and the NORPAC mill must add profit as planned. The EMEA separation must be completed on terms that keep its value.
Debt of $9,691 million must come down when capital spending falls. The Q4 2026 report, expected in late January 2027, is the next test. If box demand stays weak, the turnaround can take several more years.
Checkpoints
- Jan 28, 2027 · est.PendingQ4 2026 resultsPackaging Solutions North America segment operating profit for Q4 is in the guided range of $460 million to $500 million, and this passes; a result below $460 million fails.
- Q2 2027 · est.PendingPlan for the EMEA separationThe Board approves the form and the capital structure of the EMEA separation, and this passes; a delay with no plan fails.
Recent events
- October 28, 2026International Paper reported Q3 2026 results. Net sales were $6,197 million and the loss from continuing operations was $1,097 million, after a non-cash goodwill impairment of $1.38 billion for Packaging Solutions EMEA. Adjusted EBITDA was $843 million. Because of the planned separation of EMEA and UK regulatory requirements, it no longer gives guidance for EMEA.
- October 28, 2026In Q3 2026, the Pine Hill, Alabama mill stopped for a time because weather damaged its roof. North American box shipments fell about 2% a day from a year before.
- July 14, 2026The Board appointed Katherine Collins and Lori J. Ryerkerk as independent directors from October 1, 2026.
Show 2 older eventsHide older events
- June 4, 2026International Paper bought North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), a mill in Longview, Washington, for $362 million.
- January 23, 2026International Paper sold its Global Cellulose Fibers business to American Industrial Partners for $1.1 billion in cash and preferred stock with a liquidation preference of $168 million.
Latest news and filings
- Last earnings
- October 28, 2026 (8-K on sec.gov)
- Next earnings
- Expected about January 28, 2027. The company has not confirmed the date.
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Sep 30, 2026Filed · ip-20260930
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · Press release and exhibits
- 8-KCurrent reportFiled · ip-20261008
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Jun 30, 2026Filed · ip-20260630
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · Press release and exhibits
- 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled · ip-20260714
- 8-KShareholder vote resultsFiled · ip-20260511
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Mar 31, 2026Filed · ip-20260331
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · Press release and exhibits
- 10-KAnnual report for the period ended Dec 31, 2025Filed · ip-20251231
Risks
- The EMEA business loses money. Packaging Solutions EMEA had a segment operating loss of $204 million for nine months of 2026, and the company recorded a goodwill impairment of $1.38 billion for it in Q3 2026.
- Box demand is soft. North American box shipments fell about 2% a day in Q3 2026 from a year before, and recovered fiber, energy and diesel costs rose.
- The separation of EMEA is complex. It may be a taxable spin-off or another option, and it depends on Board approval, the capital structure of the new company and other conditions.
- Debt is large and cash flow is weak. Debt was $9,691 million at September 30, 2026, of which $2,203 million is current, and free cash flow was negative $267 million in Q3.
- Internal controls are not effective. Management says that IT general control deficiencies in the legacy DS Smith environment are a material weakness, which it expects to fix after the separation.
Balance sheet
- Cash
- $815M
- Debt
- $9.7B
- Net debt
- $8.9B
Cash against debt
debt covered by cashnet debt $8.9B
When the debt is due
At September 30, 2026, International Paper had cash and temporary investments of $815 million. Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt were $2,203 million and long-term debt was $7,488 million, which is $9,691 million in all. Overfunded pension plan assets were $564 million and the underfunded pension benefit obligation was $294 million. Cash provided by operating activities was $339 million in Q3, and free cash flow was negative $267 million.
Dividends
- Yield at the current rate
- 5.5% (current annual rate, at today’s price)
- Dividend yield
- 5.5% (last 12 months, at today’s price of $33.94)
- Paid per share
- $1.852 in the last 12 months (4 payments)
- Current annual rate
- $1.852 ($0.463 × 4 a year)
- Latest ex-dividend date
- August 14, 2026, $0.463 per share
Dividends per share by year
| 2016 | $1.6884 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $1.7652 | |
| 2018 | $1.8229 | |
| 2019 | $1.9063 | |
| 2020 | $1.9432 | |
| 2021 | $1.9204 | |
| 2022 | $1.852 | |
| 2023 | $1.852 | |
| 2024 | $1.852 | |
| 2025 | $1.852 |
From 2020 to 2025, the dividend fell by about 1.0% a year. From 2015 to 2025, the dividend grew by about 1.8% a year.
Source: company filings and market data, read on November 12, 2026. The ex-dividend date is the first day a buyer no longer gets the next payment.
Questions about International Paper
What does International Paper do?
International Paper Company (International Paper) is based in Memphis, Tennessee. It makes containerboard and corrugated boxes in North America and in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Its market cap is $18B at the current price of $33.94.
When does International Paper report earnings next?
This is an estimate: International Paper may report on January 28, 2027. It last reported results on October 28, 2026.
Is International Paper stock below its intrinsic value?
International Paper stock is below intrinsic value. This is general information, not advice.
What changed recently at International Paper?
The latest update is from October 28, 2026. International Paper reported Q3 2026 results.
What are the main risks for International Paper?
The EMEA business loses money. Box demand is soft. The separation of EMEA is complex.
How much debt and cash does International Paper have?
At September 30, 2026, International Paper had $9.7B of debt and $815M of cash.
Does International Paper pay a dividend?
Yes. The current annual dividend of International Paper is $1.852 per share. That is a dividend yield of 5.5% at the current price of $33.94. The latest ex-dividend date was August 14, 2026.
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