International Paper stock holds near $39 after July 30 earnings
Published on 08/31/2026 at 22:18 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
International Paper stock closed at $39.34 on August 31, 2026, with a market cap of $20.83 billion as investors weighed a July 30 earnings print that showed $6 billion in quarterly revenue and $0.04 EPS. The same report showed revenue down 11.3% from a year earlier, while EPS improved from $0.20 in the prior-year quarter.
Earnings still frame the story
The July 30 quarter also came in below revenue expectations of $6.19 billion but beat consensus EPS by $0.08, since Wall Street had expected a loss of $0.04 per share. Net margin was negative 14.20% and return on equity was negative 1.09%, underscoring why the earnings line matters more than a simple price move.
Sell-side analysts now expect 1.34 EPS for the current fiscal year, a useful reference point for how the market is judging the next leg of the story. That estimate sits alongside a dividend of $0.4625 a share for shareholders of record on August 14, 2026, which translates into $1.85 annualized.
Dividend and valuation
The stock also traded with a P/E ratio of -6.03 and a beta of 0.94, which keeps valuation and volatility in view even after the earnings release. A market value of $20.83 billion against a $39.34 share price leaves the company in a large-cap bracket without stretching the numbers.
For investors, the comparison that stands out is simple: revenue fell 11.3% year over year, but EPS moved from $0.20 to $0.04 instead of swinging into a deeper loss. That mix suggests the market is still weighing margin repair more heavily than headline sales growth.
Packaging demand matters
International Paper's corrugated packaging and fiber-based materials business remains the core product engine behind the numbers. In that mix, volume, pricing, and margin recovery will matter more than any single quarter's top line.
Shares and market view
International Paper stock traded at $39.34 on August 31, 2026, with a 200-day moving average of $37.74 and a 50-day moving average of $39.62. The setup leaves the shares close to short-term trend support, while the latest quarter still anchors the valuation debate.
More on International Paper stock
Company: International Paper Company
ISIN: US4601461035
Ticker: IP
Exchange: NYSE
Sector / Industry: Materials / Paper & Forest Products
Index membership: S&P 500
