International Paper Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

International Paper has established a comprehensive ESG governance structure to oversee and guide its sustainability commitments. The Board of Directors, through specialized committees, oversees various aspects of ESG strategy and performance. Key committees include:

- Public Policy and Environment Committee (PPE): Oversees environmental topics, public policy, legal, and health and safety issues.
- Audit and Finance Committee (A&F): Reviews processes for external reporting.
- Management Development and Compensation Committee (MDCC): Approves CEO stewardship objectives and evaluates performance.

At the management level, the CEO and Senior Leadership Team are responsible for corporate sustainability strategy. The company has established various councils and teams to implement Vision 2030 goals. The Chief Sustainability Officer leads the Sustainability Team, coordinating activities across the company.

International Paper considers ESG performance in its incentive plans, including metrics for Health & Safety, Environment & Sustainability, Human Capital & Culture, Governance, and Diversity & Inclusion. The company engages with diverse stakeholders to gain insights and guide its sustainability efforts.

International Paper (IP) has announced a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners, including the American Forest Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and World Wildlife Fund. This investment supports IP's Vision 2030 goal to conserve and restore 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland.

Key initiatives include:

• Expanding the Family Forest Carbon Program in the Central Appalachian area and Southeastern U.S.
• Extending the Forestland Stewards Partnership with a $10 million commitment over five years
• Advancing sustainable forestry practices in the U.S. and Mexico
• Supporting the preservation of heirs' property in the Mobile Basin of Mississippi and Alabama

International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report highlights the company's commitment to a robust and diverse supplier network. With over 30,000 suppliers, IP emphasizes ethical conduct and sustainability, incorporating its Third Party Code of Conduct into contractual agreements. In 2023, 87% of IP's spend was covered by this code or similar standards. The company's Supplier Diversity program focuses on developing and promoting diverse businesses, aiming to improve the lives of 100 million people in their operational areas. IP classifies diverse suppliers based on ownership categories including minority-owned, woman-owned, and veteran-owned enterprises. This approach not only meets stakeholder needs but also fosters innovation and supports equitable community development.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) reported second quarter 2024 financial results, with net earnings of $498 million ($1.41 per diluted share), including a tax benefit of $338 million ($0.96 per diluted share) related to internal legal entity restructuring. Adjusted operating earnings were $193 million ($0.55 per diluted share). Cash provided by operations was $365 million, with $160 million returned to shareholders in dividends.

CEO Andy Silvernail expressed confidence in the team's ability to unlock value, despite near-term performance challenges. The company is implementing an 80/20 business process to focus the portfolio, improve customer excellence, and optimize costs. IP also looks forward to the combination with DS Smith to create significant shareholder value.

Sophie Beckham, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer at International Paper (IP), reflects on the company's sustainability journey over the past decade. She highlights how sustainability has become a key value driver for customers, aligning with IP's business model of providing renewable fiber-based products. The company's Vision 2030 framework guides its efforts to advance a low-carbon, circular economy.

IP's approach to circularity starts in the forest, using only recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber. The company is committed to decarbonizing operations and exploring carbon capture and storage opportunities. Despite falling short on some environmental goals in 2023, IP has intensified efforts to reduce its impact. The company also focuses on community resilience, contributing nearly $20M to charitable organizations in 2023 as part of its goal to improve 100 million lives by 2030.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share for the period from July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, on its common stock, payable on September 16, 2024, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2024.

The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share for the same period on its cumulative $4.00 preferred stock, also payable on September 16, 2024, to holders of record on August 15, 2024.

In celebration of National Forest Week, International Paper (IP) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) highlight their collaborative efforts to maintain healthy forests in the Southeast. Their Forestland Stewards Partnership, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), focuses on restoring longleaf pine habitats and supporting wildlife. This partnership funds projects that enhance National Forests, create wildlife corridors, and reduce wildfire risks. A notable success includes the recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker in South Carolina's Francis Marion National Forest, thanks to coordinated conservation efforts. The initiative also supports controlled burns and habitat restoration on private lands, fostering healthier ecosystems and safer communities.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) will release its second-quarter 2024 earnings on July 24, 2024, before the New York Stock Exchange opens. The company plans a webcast to discuss the results and current market conditions at 10 a.m. ET, accessible via their website. A replay will be available two hours after the call. Interested parties can join the webcast by dialing specific numbers, with an audio-only replay accessible for ninety days post-call.

The boards of International Paper and DS Smith have announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for their proposed combination. This removal of the legal barrier is a significant step forward in the merger process. The combination is still subject to regulatory clearance from the European Commission and court approval. Both companies expect the merger to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2024. This announcement follows the initial announcement made on April 16, 2024. Completion of the merger will be governed by the terms set out in a forthcoming Scheme Document, which shareholders are advised to review carefully.

Further enquiries can be directed to representatives from both International Paper and DS Smith, as well as their respective financial and PR advisers.