AE Wealth Management LLC increased its position in International Paper shares by 8.5% during the third quarter, acquiring an additional 26,146 shares to bring its total holdings to 332,310 shares. As of the end of that quarter, the firm’s stake represented 0.06% of International Paper’s outstanding shares and was valued at approximately $15.4 million. This uptick in ownership underscores growing confidence from wealth managers in the company’s long-term cash flow generation and repositioning efforts.

In its fourth quarter, International Paper reported revenue of $6.01 billion, a 53.1% year-over-year increase that surpassed consensus estimates by roughly $110 million. Adjusted free cash flow returned to positive territory, reflecting improved working-capital efficiency. However, adjusted earnings per share came in at a loss of $0.08, missing analyst forecasts by $0.36, as the quarter included a $2.47 billion pre-tax goodwill impairment, accelerated depreciation and restructuring charges tied to its ongoing operational overhaul.

Management announced a plan to split the company into two separately listed packaging businesses—one for North America and one for Europe, the Middle East and Africa—with the aim of unlocking long-term value and enhancing operational focus. Alongside this, International Paper provided full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion and first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $0.74 billion to $0.76 billion, offering investors a clear timeline for profitability improvement following its extensive restructuring initiatives.

Following the release of fourth-quarter results and the separation announcement, nine research firms maintain a buy rating on International Paper, one has issued a hold recommendation and three have downgraded to sell. The consensus target price stands at $49.07, while broker guidance ranges from underweight to buy as analysts weigh the benefits of the strategic split against execution risks and near-term impairment charges.