International Paper (IP) stock
Materials · Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials
International Paper (IP) is a Paper & Plastic Packaging Products & Materials company in the Materials sector, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. As of October 23, 2026, IP closed at $33.19, a market capitalization of $17.58 billion, the 427th largest company in the S&P 500. Over the last twelve months it generated $24.20 billion in revenue (-2% year over year) and $492.00 million in free cash flow.
- 1-year total return: -29.1% (dividends reinvested)
- 5-year return: -4.8% a year
- 52-week range: $29.26 – $50.25
- Gross margin 29.6%, operating margin 2.3%
- Dividend yield: 5.57%
- FI Handbook report card: C- across 10 metrics
- 20th largest of 24 Materials stocks in the S&P 500
IP price chart
1Y price change: -32.4% (price only; total returns below include dividends)
| Total return | 1M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | MAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP | -7.0% | -12.6% | -29.1% | +5.4% | -4.8% | +1.4% | +5.9% |
Dividends reinvested. 3Y and longer are annualized; MAX is annualized since 1962.
IP key statistics
- Market cap
- $17.6B
- #427 in S&P 500
- P/E (TTM)
- —
- Forward P/E
- 10.8x
- EPS (TTM)
- $-5.17
- Revenue (TTM)
- $24.2B
- -2%
- Free cash flow
- $492.0M
- Gross margin
- 29.6%
- Operating margin
- 2.3%
- Return on equity
- -16.5%
- Dividend yield
- 5.57%
- 52-week range
- $29.26 – $50.25
- Beta
- 0.89
- Price / sales
- 0.7x
- EV / EBITDA
- 6.8x
- Debt / equity
- 0.69x
- Employees
- 62,602
IP report card
C-Ten fundamentals graded A to F against fixed thresholds. Not a buy or sell rating.
- Revenue growth-2.2%F
- Gross margin29.6%C
- Operating margin2.3%D
- FCF margin2.0%D
- Return on equity-16.5%F
- Net debt / EBITDA2.3xD
- Forward P/E10.8xA
- PEG ratio1.6xC
- Shareholder yield5.9%A
- Share count change / yr5.0%F
International Paper financials
Revenue went from $19.5B in fiscal 2016 to $23.6B in fiscal 2025, growing 2.2% a year.
| Fiscal year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $19.5B | $21.7B | $23.3B | $18.3B | $17.6B | $19.4B | $21.2B | $16.0B | $15.8B | $23.6B |
| Gross profit | $5.4B | $6.9B | $7.8B | $5.6B | $5.2B | $5.5B | $6.0B | $4.5B | $4.4B | $7.0B |
| Net income | $904.0M | $2.1B | $2.0B | $1.2B | $482.0M | $1.8B | $1.5B | $288.0M | $557.0M | -$3.5B |
| EPS (diluted) | $2.06 | $4.86 | $4.59 | $3.07 | $1.22 | $4.47 | $4.10 | $0.82 | $1.57 | $-6.95 |
| Free cash flow | $1.2B | $477.0M | $1.7B | $2.5B | $2.4B | $1.6B | $1.2B | $692.0M | $757.0M | -$159.0M |
| Buybacks | $132.0M | $47.0M | $732.0M | $535.0M | $42.0M | $839.0M | $1.3B | $218.0M | $23.0M | $65.0M |
| Dividends paid | $733.0M | $769.0M | $789.0M | $796.0M | $806.0M | $780.0M | $673.0M | $642.0M | $643.0M | $977.0M |
| Diluted shares | 438.9M | 441.1M | 437.4M | 398.8M | 395.7M | 392.4M | 367.0M | 349.1M | 354.2M | 505.7M |
Source: SEC filings (10-K XBRL). EPS and share counts are split-adjusted.
What's priced into IP?
A reverse DCF asks what growth the current price requires. With an enterprise value of $26.8B and $492.0M of trailing free cash flow, International Paper needs to grow free cash flow about 36.8% a year for ten years (fading to 3.0% terminal growth) to earn a 10% annual return.
P/E ratio history
Current 27.7x vs. median 16.3x (10th–90th percentile 8.6x–41.8x).
A model, not a forecast or advice. Small changes in assumptions move the answer a lot.
IP dividend
- Dividend yield
- 5.57%
- Annual dividend
- $1.85
- Years of increases
- —
- 5-yr dividend growth
- -1.0%
- per year
- Payout ratio
- 402%
- Payments per year
- 4
Regular dividends per share by calendar year; special dividends excluded. Current year omitted until complete.
IP analyst price targets
10 analysts' average 12-month target is $45.40 (+37% vs. $33.19). Targets range from $35.00 to $62.00. 82% rate it a buy.
IP earnings
Next report: October 28, 2026. International Paper has beaten EPS estimates 2 quarters in a row. Last quarter's revenue was $6.0B (-2% year over year).
| Report date | EPS estimate | EPS actual | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2026 | $-0.04 | $0.04 | +205.4% |
| Apr 30, 2026 | $0.14 | $0.15 | +5.4% |
| Jan 29, 2026 | $0.25 | $-0.08 | -131.9% |
| Oct 30, 2025 | $0.59 | $-0.43 | -173.0% |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $0.41 | $0.20 | -51.1% |
| Apr 30, 2025 | $0.37 | $0.23 | -38.0% |
| Jan 30, 2025 | $0.01 | $-0.02 | -300.0% |
| Oct 31, 2024 | $0.25 | $0.44 | +74.8% |
Stocks like IP
| Name | Today | 1Y | Mkt cap | P/E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 PKG Packaging Corporation of Americ | -0.65% | +19% | $22.0B | 30.5x | Compare |
 SW Smurfit WestRock | -1.37% | +0% | $22.0B | 44.1x | Compare |
 AMCR Amcor | -0.37% | +19% | $21.3B | 19.4x | Compare |
 AVY Avery Dennison | -1.53% | -0% | $13.8B | 19.9x | Compare |
 LIN Linde | -0.30% | +15% | $234.6B | 32.8x | Compare |
 NEM Newmont | -4.59% | +24% | $113.1B | 12.6x | Compare |
 FCX Freeport-McMoRan | +0.91% | +60% | $93.6B | 32.1x | Compare |
 SHW Sherwin-Williams | -2.48% | +3% | $81.8B | 31.1x | Compare |
IP news
- Packaging sector sees spin-offs and M&A activity · Oct 20, 2026
- International Paper weighs potential sale of EMEA packaging business · Oct 19, 2026
- International Paper (IP) Stock Still Looks Below Fair Value Following A 23% Fall · Oct 16, 2026
- What Is International Paper (IP) Planning For Its EMEA Packaging Business? · Oct 16, 2026
- Why International Paper (IP) Stock Is Trading Up Today · Oct 15, 2026
IP stock FAQ
What is IP's market cap?
International Paper's market capitalization is $17.58 billion as of October 23, 2026, ranking 427th in the S&P 500.
Does IP pay a dividend?
Yes. International Paper pays $1.85 per share a year, a 5.57% yield. Dividends fell 1.0% a year over the last five years.
How much has IP stock returned?
Including reinvested dividends, IP returned -29.1% over one year, -4.8% a year over five years, +1.4% a year over ten years through October 23, 2026.
Is IP stock overvalued?
At today's price, a reverse discounted cash flow model (10% discount rate, 3% terminal growth) implies International Paper must grow free cash flow about 37% a year for the next decade. Whether that is achievable decides if the stock is cheap or expensive. This is a model, not advice.
What is the IP price target?
10 analysts cover IP with an average 12-month price target of $45.40, +37% from the current price. 82% of them rate it a buy.
When does IP report earnings?
International Paper is expected to report earnings on October 28, 2026. It has beaten EPS estimates 2 quarters in a row.
How many employees does International Paper have?
International Paper has about 62,602 full-time employees, or $386,617 of revenue per employee.
Sources: SEC EDGAR filings, Yahoo Finance market data (delayed), FI Handbook calculations. Last close October 23, 2026. Methodology