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International Paper (IP) Beats Both Q1 Earnings & Revenues

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With operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia, and North Africa, International Paper Company (IP - Free Report) is a premier paper and packaging firm. As part of its restructuring plans to increase focus on its core business, the company has divested its distribution business xpedx. The company has also inked a definitive agreement to sell its corrugated packaging business in China and Southeast Asia. IP is likely to gain from its extensive geographic footprint, wide-ranging product portfolio and a differentiated service platform.

In the last four trailing quarters, IP has beaten estimates thrice for an average surprise of 6.3%. As the extent of competition is increasing over time, investors have been eagerly awaiting for the company’s latest earnings report.

Currently, IP has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change following the first-quarter 2017 earnings report which was just released. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below.

Earnings: IP beat earnings. The Zacks Consensus Estimate called for EPS of 56 cents, and the company reported adjusted operating EPS of 60 cents.

Revenues: Revenues exceeded estimates. IP posted revenues of $5,511 million, compared with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,383 million.

Key Stats to Note: Quarterly results reflect $50 million in maintenance outage expenses, including a major energy optimization project at the Port Wentworth mill. Operations and costs were affected by the incident at Pensacola mill digester and a delayed start up at Port Wentworth. The business is starting to benefit from announced price hikes and synergies of $14 million in the quarter from the pulp business buyout. Management expects strong second half results, as well as positive momentum entering 2018. The company is likely to generate significant year-over-year earnings growth and continued strong cash flow in 2017.

Stock Price: Shares did not show any change in the pre-market trading following the release at the time of this write-up.

Check back our full write up on this IP earnings report later!

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