Shares of IP.N experienced a notable uptick today, crossing above the 5-day simple moving average (SMA) and closing at $36.44. This technical breakout suggests a potential shift in momentum, attracting attention from traders and investors alike. The recent activity in options trading has further fueled interest, particularly with the $35.00 put contract offering a bid of $1.65, allowing investors to effectively lower their cost basis to $33.35, a 4% discount from the current price.
Market analysts indicate that there is a 61% likelihood the put contract will expire worthless, which could yield a 4.71% return on the cash commitment, translating to an annualized yield boost of 7.20%. Conversely, the $37.50 call contract, with a bid of $2.15, presents an opportunity for an 8.81% total return if exercised by July 2026, despite a 47% chance of expiring worthless. The implied volatilities for both contracts are also noteworthy, standing at 39% for puts and 42% for calls, indicating heightened market expectations.
Overall, the combination of technical signals and strategic options activity positions IP.N as a stock to watch, as investors assess potential outcomes and market dynamics in the coming weeks.
Wall Street analysts forecast IP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IP is 48.35 USD with a low forecast of 36.00 USD and a high forecast of 57.80 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
12 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast IP stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IP is 48.35 USD with a low forecast of 36.00 USD and a high forecast of 57.80 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
9 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 41.490
Low
36.00
Averages
48.35
High
57.80
Current: 41.490
Low
36.00
Averages
48.35
High
57.80
Truist
Buy
maintain
$47 -> $50
2026-01-06
Reason
Truist
Price Target
$47 -> $50
AI Analysis
2026-01-06
maintain
Buy
Reason
Truist raised the firm's price target on International Paper to $50 from $47 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Early 2026 is expected to see modestly challenged packaging volumes due to limited promotions, though some CPGs are successfully driving volume while retaining price gains, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Beverage cans should continue growing in North America and Europe, and containerboard producers are likely to implement price increases successfully thanks to disciplined supply management, the firm says.
BofA
Buy
downgrade
$47 -> $43
2026-01-05
Reason
BofA
Price Target
$47 -> $43
2026-01-05
downgrade
Buy
Reason
BofA lowered the firm's price target on International Paper to $43 from $47 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. International Paper does have several risk factors associated with its 80/20 turnaround and the industry, while M&A and its transformation create muddiness relative to performance and consensus expectations, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm added that it believes its industry price forecasts are above the Street and sees this as a positive catalyst for the shares.
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RBC Capital
Matthew McKellar
Outperform
downgrade
$57 -> $55
2025-12-18
Reason
RBC Capital
Matthew McKellar
Price Target
$57 -> $55
2025-12-18
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
RBC Capital analyst Matthew McKellar lowered the firm's price target on International Paper to $55 from $57 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares as part of a broader research note previewing 2026 for Paper & Forest Products. 2025 was a challenging year for much of the forest products group, and with demand conditions seemingly remaining tepid into early 2026, the firm continues to prefer exposure to names where a supply response has either already played out to a significant degree - such as the containerboard group - or is seemingly in progress - such as lumber producers, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
JPMorgan
Detlef Winckelmann
Neutral
downgrade
$48 -> $46
2025-12-05
Reason
JPMorgan
Detlef Winckelmann
Price Target
$48 -> $46
2025-12-05
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
JPMorgan analyst Detlef Winckelmann lowered the firm's price target on International Paper to $46 from $48 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm says that with excess supply "looming in almost every market across almost every product grade," it expects 2026 to be a tough year for paper and packaging. However, the U.S. corrugated packaging market is facing a structural rationalization of capacity which should support prices through 2026, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About IP
International Paper Company provides sustainable packaging solutions. The Company is a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products. Its segments include Packaging Solutions North America, Packaging Solutions EMEA and Global Cellulose Fibers. Packaging Solutions North America and Packaging Solutions EMEA segments are primarily focused on producing fiber-based packaging. It produces linerboard, medium, whitetop, recycled linerboard, recycled medium and saturating kraft of which a majority of its production is converted into corrugated packaging and other packaging. Global Cellulose Fibers segment primarily focuses on producing cellulose fibers which is a renewable raw material used in a variety of products people depend on every day such as diapers, towel and tissue products, feminine care, incontinence and other personal care products. Its specialty pulps serve as a sustainable raw material used in textiles, construction materials, paints, coatings and more.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
