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International Paper 2025 Q1 Earnings Misses Targets as Net Income Plummets 287.5%

Daily EarningsThursday, May 1, 2025 9:10 am ET
39min read
International Paper (IP) reported its fiscal 2025 Q1 earnings on Apr 30th, 2025. International Paper's Q1 2025 results fell short of expectations, with a significant decline in net income compared to the previous year. The company has maintained its annual EBITDA guidance within the range of $3.5 billion to $4 billion, contingent on stable demand. Despite the shortfall, management remains committed to strategic initiatives and operational improvements to restore profitability. Investors should note the influence of transformation costs on cash flow and the temporary impact on financial performance.

Revenue
In the first quarter of 2025, international paper achieved a total revenue of $5.90 billion, marking a 27.8% increase from the previous year. Within this, the Packaging Solutions North America segment drove substantial growth, contributing $3.70 billion. Meanwhile, the Packaging Solutions EMEA segment reported $1.55 billion, reflecting the company's expanding market presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The Global Cellulose Fibers segment added $643 million to the tally, showcasing its role in the diversified product offerings. Corporate and inter-segment sales accounted for $6 million, culminating in a net sales figure of $5.90 billion.

Earnings/Net Income
In Q1 2025, International Paper faced a dramatic reversal in earnings, moving from a profit of $0.16 per share in 2024 Q1 to a loss of $0.24 per share, marking a 250% negative change. The company also reported a net loss of $105 million, starkly contrasting with the net income of $56 million in the previous year, reflecting a 287.5% deterioration. This indicates a concerning EPS performance that may affect investor sentiment.

Price Action
The stock price of International Paper climbed 3.68% during the latest trading day, edged down 2.29% over the most recent full trading week, and tumbled 14.15% month-to-date.

Post Earnings Price Action Review
Analysis of International Paper's post-earnings stock performance reveals a pattern where positive earnings reports generally lead to an increase in stock price, particularly in the short term. The company's revenue figures show a 57.14% win rate over three days, a 71.43% win rate over ten days, and a 57.14% win rate over thirty days, suggesting stronger short-term performance when revenue exceeds expectations. Similarly, net income and EPS display comparable positive correlations with stock price, each exhibiting identical win rates across the same time frames. These findings imply that the stock tends to rise after favorable earnings reports. However, the maximum observed return of 7.50% over thirty days suggests that while earnings reports can boost short-term price appreciation, other factors may significantly influence overall stock movements.

CEO Commentary
Andy Silvernail, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the significant progress made during his first year, reflecting on a culture of safety and a strong commitment to transformation. He noted that the 80/20 approach has driven substantial change, focusing on aligning resources to create value for key customers. Despite a challenging economic environment, he expressed confidence in the company’s ability to navigate uncertainties by emphasizing cost control, commercial excellence, and operational improvements. Silvernail acknowledged the cautious outlook due to fluctuating demand but remained optimistic about the company's strategic positioning and future growth opportunities.

Guidance
International Paper projects a quarterly run rate EBITDA of nearly $800 million for the first half of 2025, increasing to $1.1 billion by Q4. The company expects to achieve an adjusted EBITDA target range of $3.5 billion to $4 billion for the year, contingent on demand stability. With ongoing cost-out initiatives and anticipated operational improvements, management is focused on maintaining competitive positioning, while preparing for various economic scenarios as they unfold.

Additional News
In recent weeks, International Paper has completed the acquisition of DS Smith on January 31, 2025, solidifying its position as a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. The acquisition aligns with the company's strategic focus on expanding its presence in North America and EMEA regions. Furthermore, Tim Nicholls has transitioned from CFO to Executive Vice President and President of DS Smith, bringing over 30 years of industry experience to his new role. Lance Loeffler joins the company as Senior Vice President and CFO, having previously served as SVP for the Middle East and North Africa Region at Halliburton. These leadership changes are expected to drive excellence and support International Paper's ongoing transformation. Additionally, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share for the period from January 1, 2025, to March 31, 2025, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.
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