Upgrades - Baird upgraded Zions Bancorp (ZION) to Outperform from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $65, advising investors to take advantage of the selloff in shares [2] - Stifel upgraded International Paper (IP) to Buy from Hold with an unchanged price target of $57.80, noting that initial exuberance following the CEO's appointment has been replaced by more realistic expectations [2] - HSBC upgraded Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $50, up from $43, citing record-high precious metal prices and copper's outperformance due to supply disruptions [2] - KeyBanc upgraded AppFolio (APPF) to Overweight from Sector Weight with a $285 price target, indicating renewed confidence in the company's momentum following customer conversations at its annual conference [3] - UBS upgraded Deere (DE) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $535, down from $545, expecting 2026 to be the last year of earnings downturn before recovery in 2027 [4] Downgrades - TD Cowen downgraded Booz Allen (BAH) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $105, down from $125, anticipating a reduction in fiscal 2026 guidance [5] - Barclays double downgraded AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to Underweight from Overweight with an unchanged price target of $60, citing excessive stock valuation despite attractive opportunities [5] - Raymond James downgraded Bank OZK (OZK) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target, reducing next year's EPS forecast by roughly 12% due to softer loan growth expectations and higher expenses [5] - Raymond James downgraded Graphic Packaging (GPK) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target, indicating that recent share weakness limits differentiation [5] - Raymond James downgraded Silgan Holdings (SLGN) to Outperform from Strong Buy with a price target of $53, down from $60, while still constructive on the company, taking a more conservative approach due to caution from Q2 items [5]

Core Insights - International Paper's CEO Andy Silvernail will present at the Baird 2025 Global Industrial Conference on November 11, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. ET, followed by a Q&A session [1] - Interested parties can access the webcast on the company's website, with a replay available approximately three hours after the presentation [2] - International Paper is a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, with operations in over 30 countries and employing more than 65,000 team members [3] - The company reported net sales of $18.6 billion for 2024 and acquired DS Smith in 2025, enhancing its position in the North American and EMEA markets [3] - A quarterly dividend of $0.4625 per share has been declared for the period from October 1, 2025, to December [4] - The company will release its third-quarter earnings on October 30, 2025, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange [5]

Group 1 - The article discusses the upcoming Q3 earnings release for International Paper, scheduled for October 30, and mentions the profit warning from Mondi, indicating challenges within the sector [1] - It highlights that buy-side hedge professionals are conducting fundamental, income-oriented, long-term analysis across various sectors in developed markets globally [1]

Group 1 - RIT Capital Partners holds $20,319,880 worth of International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) shares, representing 2.55% of its portfolio, indicating significant investment interest [1] - Analysts at UBS have reiterated their "Buy" rating on International Paper Company (IP) with a price target of $60, following a visit to the company's Aurora, Illinois plant [2] - The analysts noted that the company has undergone transformative operational shifts, improving productivity and commercial execution across box plant operations, which is expected to enhance margins and shareholder returns [3] Group 2 - International Paper Company operates across North America, Latin America, Europe, and North Africa, focusing on manufacturing and selling renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products [4]

Company Overview - International Paper Company (IP) has a market capitalization of $24.1 billion and is a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging and pulp products, operating through its Industrial Packaging and Global Cellulose Fibers segments [1] Upcoming Earnings - The company is expected to release its fiscal Q3 2025 results on October 30, with analysts projecting an adjusted EPS of $0.53, representing a 20.5% increase from $0.44 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an adjusted EPS of $1.53, which is a 35.4% increase from $1.13 in fiscal 2024, and a further surge to $3.08 in fiscal 2026, marking a 101.3% year-over-year increase [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, shares of International Paper have declined by 5.2%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 12.2%, but the decline is less severe than the Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's 9.1% drop [4] - The stock experienced a significant drop of 12.9% on July 31 following disappointing Q2 2025 results, where adjusted EPS was reported at $0.20, falling short of analyst expectations due to increased input costs and muted demand in Europe [5] Analyst Ratings - Analysts maintain a cautiously optimistic view on IP stock, with a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 13 analysts, six recommend a "Strong Buy," one a "Moderate Buy," four suggest a "Hold," and two advise "Strong Sells." The average price target for the stock is $54.11, indicating a potential upside of 17.4% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - The cardboard box sector is experiencing significant layoffs and plant closures, indicating potential economic weakness [1][3][4] - U.S. shipments of boxes have declined for four consecutive quarters, with a 5% year-on-year drop in the second quarter [4] - The cardboard box industry is seen as a leading indicator of broader economic demand, with current trends suggesting a slowdown [6] Industry Overview - International Paper, the largest cardboard box manufacturer in the U.S., recently shut down two mills in Georgia, resulting in over a thousand job losses [1] - The U.S. has lost approximately 9% of its containerboard production capacity in the last eight months, which is double the loss experienced during the 2009 recession [3] - The Fibre Box Association reported that cardboard packaging volumes sold to retailers reached the lowest second-quarter level since 2015 [4] Economic Indicators - Economists view the cardboard box sector as a proxy for real-world demand, as it reflects the shipping needs of various consumer goods [2] - Analysts at Barclays estimate that 10% to 15% of American containerboard capacity is linked to exports, which may be affected by trade tariffs [5] - Jadrian Wooten, an economist, suggests that the reduction in box production could indicate weaker demand in the broader economy, potentially impacting GDP and unemployment rates [6] Market Dynamics - The industry is undergoing consolidation, with significant mergers such as Smurfit Kappa's $20 billion acquisition of WestRock and International Paper's $9.9 billion purchase of DS Smith [6] - Companies are also shifting towards lighter packaging to reduce waste, which may further influence production trends [6]

Market Overview - The ongoing US government shutdown is causing delays in the release of key economic reports, including payroll and inflation data, which could lead to increased jobless claims and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.7% [2] - Higher bond yields are limiting stock gains, with the 10-year T-note yield rising to 4.15% [3] - Stock indexes are mostly higher, with the Nasdaq 100 reaching a new all-time high, driven by gains in chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks [4] Economic Indicators - The S&P 500 Index is up by 0.20%, while the Dow Jones is down by 0.10%, and the Nasdaq 100 is up by 0.60% [5] - Market focus includes developments regarding tariffs, trade, and the government shutdown, with upcoming releases of FOMC meeting minutes and consumer sentiment index [6] Corporate Earnings - Over 22% of S&P 500 companies have provided guidance for Q3 earnings that are expected to exceed analysts' expectations, although Q3 profits are projected to rise by only 7.2%, the smallest increase in two years [7] Interest Rates - The market is pricing in a 95% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the next FOMC meeting [8] - December 10-year T-notes are under pressure due to stock strength and upcoming Treasury auctions [9] European Market - European government bond yields are rising, with the 10-year German bund yield at 2.720% and the UK gilt yield at 4.734% [10] Stock Movements - Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares surged over 26% after signing a deal with OpenAI, leading gains in chipmakers and AI-infrastructure stocks [12] - Cryptocurrency-exposed stocks rallied as Bitcoin prices rose above $125,000, benefiting companies like Coinbase and Galaxy Digital [13] - Comerica (CMA) shares increased by over 15% following an acquisition agreement with Fifth Third Bancorp [14] - Micron Technology (MU) rose more than 6% after an upgrade from Morgan Stanley [14]

Group 1 - U.S. stock futures are higher, with Dow futures gaining approximately 100 points [1] - Quantum Computing Inc. raised $750 million from institutional investors in a market-priced private placement, leading to a sharp decline in its shares by 11.7% to $21.70 in pre-market trading [1] Group 2 - Rich Sparkle Holdings Ltd experienced a significant drop of 15% to $22.10 in pre-market trading after a 10% decline on Friday [3] - Nordic American Tankers Ltd fell 7.8% to $3.07 in pre-market trading [3] - Smurfit WestRock PLC shares decreased by 5.8% to $39.54 in pre-market trading [3] - Mesoblast Ltd shares declined 5.2% to $17.45 in pre-market trading, despite an 8% gain on Friday following the announcement of Ryoncil receiving a J-Code from Medicare & Medicaid Services [3] - Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc saw a decline of 4.4% to $7.42 in pre-market trading [3] - Inventiva ADR shares fell 4.2% to $6.26 in pre-market trading after the appointment of Andrew Obenshain as CEO [3] - International Paper Co dropped 4.2% to $45.21 in pre-market trading ahead of its third-quarter earnings release on October 30 [3] - Lufax Holding Ltd – ADR fell 3.7% to $3.85 in pre-market trading after an 8% decline on Friday [3] - Larimar Therapeutics Inc shares decreased by 3.3% to $4.71 in pre-market trading after a 14% jump on Friday [3]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures are higher, with Dow futures gaining approximately 100 points [1] Quantum Computing Inc. - Quantum Computing Inc. (NASDAQ:QUBT) raised $750 million from institutional investors through a market-priced private placement led by top shareholders [1] - Shares of Quantum Computing fell sharply by 11.7% to $21.70 in pre-market trading [1] Other Stocks in Pre-Market Trading - Rich Sparkle Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:ANPA) dropped 15% to $22.10 after a 10% decline on Friday [3] - Nordic American Tankers Ltd (NYSE:NAT) decreased by 7.8% to $3.07 [3] - Smurfit WestRock PLC (NYSE:SW) fell 5.8% to $39.54 [3] - Mesoblast Ltd (NASDAQ:MESO) declined 5.2% to $17.45, despite an 8% gain on Friday following the announcement of Ryoncil receiving a J-Code from Medicare & Medicaid Services [3] - Invesco Mortgage Capital Inc (NYSE:IVR) decreased by 4.4% to $7.42 [3] - Inventiva ADR (NASDAQ:IVA) fell 4.2% to $6.26 after appointing Andrew Obenshain as CEO [3] - International Paper Co (NYSE:IP) dropped 4.2% to $45.21 ahead of its third-quarter earnings release on October 30 [3] - Lufax Holding Ltd – ADR (NYSE:LU) fell 3.7% to $3.85 after an 8% decline on Friday [3] - Larimar Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:LRMR) decreased by 3.3% to $4.71 after a 14% jump on Friday [3]

Core Insights - The UK online fashion industry is lagging behind in reducing plastic usage, with 76% of consumers still receiving orders wrapped in plastic, despite the success of the plastic bag levy on high streets [1][2][4] - There is a significant consumer demand for change, with 38% of shoppers considering plastic packaging unnecessary and 69% supporting the replacement of plastic with paper packaging [2][10] - The rise in e-commerce has led to an increase in plastic bag usage, with projections indicating nearly 7 billion plastic bags will be used for UK deliveries by 2030 [3][4] Consumer Sentiment - A majority of consumers (64%) express concern over the increasing use of plastic bags, indicating a disconnect between shopping habits and existing legislation [11] - Only 4% of consumers believe that plastic packaging is always essential, highlighting a strong preference for alternatives [2][10] Environmental Impact - The UK is projected to see over 1 billion plastic bags ending up in landfills or being incinerated annually by 2030 due to the growth of e-commerce [4] - Less than 10% of e-commerce bags are reused or recycled, with over 90% ending up in landfills or incineration [3][4] Industry Response - Companies like DS Smith are actively working to replace plastic with recyclable alternatives, having replaced 1.7 billion pieces of plastic since 2020 [6] - There is a call for legislative changes to address the gap in regulations concerning online deliveries, which currently do not fall under the plastic bag levy [5][7] Future Directions - The industry is encouraged to innovate and explore alternative materials to reduce reliance on plastics, with a focus on sustainability [6][8] - Stakeholders, including consumers, researchers, and policymakers, are urged to collaborate in creating a more sustainable future free from excessive plastic use [9][10]