IP
Consumer CyclicalInternational Paper Company · Packaging & Containers · $17B
What is International Paper Company?
International Paper Company is one of the world's largest packaging and pulp producers, serving customers across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Founded in 1898 and headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company has operated through multiple industrial cycles.
The company operates through two main segments. Its Industrial Packaging segment produces containerboard products — including linerboard and recycled medium — used to make corrugated boxes and shipping materials. Its Global Cellulose Fibers segment supplies fluff and specialty pulps used in absorbent hygiene products such as baby diapers, feminine care items, and adult incontinence products, as well as in textiles, filtration, and construction materials. Products reach customers through direct sales, agents, and distributors worldwide.
International Paper was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
- Containerboard and linerboard for corrugated packaging
- Recycled medium and saturating kraft products
- Fluff pulp for absorbent hygiene products
- Specialty and market pulps for industrial applications
- Packaging solutions for e-commerce and consumer goods
Is IP a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates IP as Below Average overall.
The most constructive aspects of IP's profile are its Risk and Valuation pillars. The Risk rating comes in at Good, suggesting the company's financial obligations and stability hold up reasonably well relative to sector peers. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals — a potential entry point for patient investors.
Both the Quality and Moat pillars register as Weak, pointing to below-average returns on capital and limited competitive differentiation in a commoditized industry. Growth is rated Neutral, offering little near-term upside catalyst.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does IP pay dividends?
Yes — International Paper Company pays a dividend.
International Paper pays a regular dividend, which has historically made it a consideration for income-oriented investors in the industrials and packaging space. Given the capital-intensive nature of the business, the dividend reflects management's commitment to returning cash to shareholders even through cyclical downturns. Investors should review current payout levels and coverage ratios — available to Pro members — before relying on the dividend as a primary return driver.
When does IP report earnings?
International Paper reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed large-cap equities.
Results tend to reflect broader containerboard demand cycles, pulp pricing trends, and input cost pressures such as energy and fiber. Revenue and margin performance can vary meaningfully quarter to quarter depending on global trade volumes and customer inventory levels.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit International Paper's investor relations page directly.
IP Price History
-27.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in International Paper Company?
Based on International Paper Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
IP Long-term Outlook
IP's Growth pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the business is not expected to meaningfully outpace the broader packaging sector in the near term. The Attractive Valuation rating indicates the market may already be pricing in a subdued growth outlook. The Good Risk rating provides some downside cushion, but the Weak Quality and Moat ratings limit confidence in a sustained earnings recovery without structural improvement in pricing power or capital efficiency.
Growth drivers
- E-commerce-driven demand for corrugated and containerboard packaging
- Stable long-term demand for fluff pulp in global hygiene product markets
- Potential operational improvements following portfolio restructuring
Key risks
- Commodity pricing cycles that compress margins with limited ability to pass through costs
- Weak moat in a fragmented, capital-intensive industry with low switching costs
- Valuation upside may be limited if earnings recovery stalls or input costs rise
IP vs Peers
International Paper competes in the global packaging and pulp market alongside several large, diversified players.
Amcor focuses on flexible and rigid consumer packaging, giving it broader product diversification across food, beverage, and healthcare end markets.
PKG operates a more focused containerboard and corrugated products business, often cited for operational efficiency within the North American market.
Smurfit Westrock brings significant European and global scale in paper-based packaging, making it one of IP's largest direct competitors by geographic reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does International Paper do?
International Paper manufactures containerboard products used in corrugated boxes and shipping materials, and produces fluff and specialty pulps used in hygiene products like diapers and feminine care items. The company sells to customers across North America, Europe, Asia, and other global markets through direct sales and distribution partners.
Does IP pay dividends?
Yes, International Paper pays a regular dividend. The company has historically prioritized returning cash to shareholders, making it a consideration for income-focused investors. Dividend sustainability depends on earnings cycles and capital allocation priorities — Pro members can view current payout metrics in the full analysis.
When does IP report earnings?
International Paper reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US large-cap companies. Specific upcoming report dates are not provided by our data source. Check the company's investor relations page for the current earnings calendar.
Is IP a good stock to buy?
IP carries a Below Average UQS Score, driven by Weak ratings in Quality and Moat alongside a Neutral Growth outlook. The Attractive Valuation and Good Risk ratings offer some balance. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is IP overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, IP is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not expensive relative to its fundamentals. However, an attractive price alone does not guarantee returns — the Weak Quality and Moat ratings mean investors should weigh valuation against the company's limited competitive differentiation.
How does IP compare to its competitors?
IP competes with Amcor, Packaging Corporation of America, and Smurfit Westrock in the global packaging and pulp space. Each competitor has distinct geographic footprints and product mixes. UQS Score comparisons across these peers are available on their individual pages and in the Pro member dashboard.
What is IP's market cap bracket?
International Paper is classified as a large-cap company, reflecting its long operating history and significant scale across North American and international packaging markets.
Who founded International Paper?
International Paper was founded in 1898 through the consolidation of several northeastern US paper mills. Detailed founding history is widely available through the company's official corporate history and public records.
Is IP a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, IP's UQS profile raises some caution. Weak Quality and Moat scores suggest the business has not consistently generated strong returns on capital or demonstrated durable competitive advantages. The Good Risk and Attractive Valuation ratings provide partial offset, but long-term quality depends on structural improvements in profitability.
What is the main competitive advantage of International Paper?
IP's primary advantages are its scale, global distribution network, and long-standing customer relationships in containerboard and pulp markets. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates these advantages as Weak, reflecting the commoditized nature of packaging and pulp, where pricing power is limited and competition is intense.
What sector does IP belong to?
International Paper is classified under the Consumer Cyclical sector, reflecting its exposure to economic cycles that influence demand for packaging materials, e-commerce shipping volumes, and consumer goods production.
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Pro Analysis
IP — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 39.5 | 14.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.8 | 91.9 | +2.3 |
| May 7, 2026 | 37.2 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.2 | 88.7 | -0.3 |
| May 4, 2026 | 37.5 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.2 | 91.1 | -0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 37.7 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.5 | 60.2 | 92.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 37.6 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.5 | 60.2 | 91.3 | +0.7 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 36.9 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.2 | 86.9 | 0.0 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 36.9 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.1 | 60.2 | 87.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 15, 2026 | 37.0 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.1 | 60.2 | 87.9 | -0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 37.1 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.2 | 87.8 | -0.3 |
| Apr 8, 2026 | 37.4 | 7.9 | 15.0 | 45.6 | 60.2 | 89.8 | -0.2 |
IP — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 14.9/100 (25%)International Paper Company currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 45.6/100 (20%)International Paper Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 60.8/100 (15%)International Paper Company maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 91.9/100 (15%)International Paper Company appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)International Paper Company operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for IP.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the IP UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for International Paper Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses International Paper Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether International Paper Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.