International Paper Shares Fall 0.71% with 264th Volume Rank as $30M Loss Highlights Sector Challenges

On August 1, 2025, International Paper (IP) closed at $46.74, down 0.71% from the previous day’s close, with a post-market price of $46.60. The stock saw a trading volume of 10.78 million shares, a 37.46% decline from the prior day’s volume, ranking it 264th in market activity. The company’s Q2 earnings report highlighted a $30 million net loss for the first half of the year, a stark contrast to the $554 million profit in the same period in 2024. Despite a 35% year-on-year increase in net sales to $12.67 billion for the first six months, margins were pressured by operational costs and a challenging European market. CEO Andy Silvernail noted integration efforts with DS Smith packaging and seasonal demand in North America, but emphasized cost headwinds and elevated depreciation expenses from recent acquisitions.

International Paper’s performance reflects broader sector challenges, including margin compression and capital expenditure pressures. While Q2 net sales rose 43% to $6.77 billion, the company’s adjusted operating earnings for the quarter fell below expectations, contributing to its four-day losing streak. The CEO’s comments underscored structural risks, such as soft demand in Europe and inflation-linked cost increases, which may limit near-term recovery. Despite a cautiously optimistic outlook for Q3, the absence of specific guidance on key metrics has left investors with limited clarity on potential upside.

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