AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holding in International Paper by 8.5% during the third quarter, adding 26,146 shares to reach a total of 332,310 shares. This stake represented 0.06% of the company and was valued at approximately 15.4 million dollars at quarter end, according to the firm’s latest SEC filing. The increase underscores confidence from this institutional investor in the paper and packaging leader’s long-term cash flow potential, even as the company navigates restructuring charges and goodwill impairments.

Several smaller funds also adjusted their positions. AlphaQuest LLC expanded its stake by an eye-popping 63,400%, ending the second quarter with 635 shares valued near 30,000 dollars. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings and Elevation Point Wealth Partners each initiated positions worth roughly 33,000 and 35,000 dollars respectively, while CYBER HORNET ETFs and City Holding Co. entered with stakes of around 43,000 and 46,000 dollars. In total, institutional investors now control 81.95% of International Paper’s shares, highlighting broad sector interest despite recent volatility.

Brokerages have become more cautious in recent months. UBS trimmed its target from 53 to 51 dollars and kept a buy recommendation. JPMorgan Chase moved its objective from 46 to 45 dollars with a neutral stance. Wells Fargo lowered its projection from 44 to 36 dollars and maintained an underweight rating. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) assessment, while Wall Street Zen shifted from hold to sell. Overall, nine analysts recommend buying, one holds, and three advise selling, with a consensus target near 49.07 dollars, reflecting a mixed outlook as investors weigh restructuring execution risk against free cash flow improvement.

In the fourth quarter, International Paper reported revenue of 6.01 billion dollars, up 53.1% year-over-year, driven by higher containerboard pricing and improved sales volumes. Adjusted earnings per share fell to a loss of 0.08 dollars, missing the consensus by 0.36 dollars, due to a 2.47 billion dollar pre-tax goodwill impairment, accelerated depreciation and restructuring charges. Free cash flow returned to positive territory, supporting management’s guidance for 2026 adjusted EBITDA of 3.5–3.7 billion dollars full-year and 0.74–0.76 billion in the first quarter. The company also announced plans to split into two publicly traded packaging businesses covering North America and EMEA, a move aimed at unlocking long-term value but posing near-term execution challenges and transaction costs.