News alert, folks! International Paper Co (NYSE:IP) seems to be making moves, and not just in the boardroom. Director Kathryn D. Sullivan unloaded 600 shares of her stock stash at a cool $56.19 a pop. That’s some quick math to roughly ten grand. Filed automatically under her trading plan, it’s all SEC-green. Now, don’t start a panic; she’s still got 37,745 shares in her back pocket.
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IP’s Strategic Moves: DS Smith Plc Acquisition
Meanwhile, the chatter about International Paper’s bold steps to scoop up DS Smith Plc isn’t just idle talk. This strategic buyout aims to expand their reach into the sustainable packaging sector. Both companies’ boards are singing in harmony on this one. The deal hops through the hoops of regulation and legal jazz. They’ve even rolled out additional paperwork to slap those shiny new shares on the London Stock Exchange. Smart play? Only time will tell.
Slicing and Dicing at International Paper
Jefferies seems to think so, slapping a “Buy” badge on IP with a price target upgrade from $56.00 to $66.00. The company’s on a diet, shedding extra weight like its Global Cellulose Fibers business and is expected to cash in on a $230 million cost-cutting bonanza. Lean and mean might just be the new vogue.
Next up in the gossip, IP’s Q3 earnings showed some wear-and-tear. Earnings per share dipped from $0.55 to $0.44. Lower volumes and those pesky higher operating costs are to blame. But hey, they managed to buffer the impact through some nifty pricing. They’re also shutting down five plants as part of that grand plan to trim the fat. Not everything’s rosy, but in true New York style, they keep hustling forward.
Future Prospects: Aiming for that Billion-Dollar Mark
They’re eyeing roughly $1 billion in operational upgrades. Even with the gloom, expect better vibes in Q4, courtesy of price hikes and slicker operations. Keep those eyes peeled for the DS Smith deal to seal by early Q1 2025.
For a deeper dive, let’s talk insider selling. Sure, Sullivan sold some stock, but what about IP’s broader financial health? It’s worth a look according to [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com). The market cap sits at $20 billion, with a P/E that screams high at 47.27 against industry standards. Except, when you adjust for the last twelve months, it chills out to 23.39. That’s more like it.
Market Performance: IP’s Steady Climb
And let’s talk returns. The stock showed some serious resilience with a 79.95% jump over the past year and a 45.89% uptick in the last six months. Word on the street is IP is nearing its 52-week zenith. Financially buff, I’d say.
That insider sale? No biggie. The dividend yield is sitting pretty at 3.21%, and that’s after dolling dividends for 54 years straight. Bank on that for some sweet, sweet income. For the inquisitive minds, [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com) has a handful of additional pearls of wisdom, 11 to be exact, to keep you in the loop.
More details await if you’re keen to plumb the depths. Dive into the [InvestingPro](https://www.investingpro.com) platform for a trove of insights beyond the usual headlines. And remember, an AI had a hand in piecing this together, but rest easy — a human editor did a once-over. For more thrills, check our terms and deeds over on [T&C](https://www.investingpro.com)!
