SCHEDULE 13G/A: FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson Disclose 7.9% Passive Stake in International Paper Co.

FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson have filed an amended Schedule 13G, reporting a 7.9% beneficial ownership stake in International Paper Co. as of December 31, 2024.

Summary

• FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson collectively reported beneficial ownership of 27,495,982.06 shares of International Paper Co. common stock.
• This aggregate amount represents 7.9% of the total outstanding common stock of International Paper Co.
• The filing is an Amendment No. 1 to a Schedule 13G, indicating an update to a previously disclosed passive investment position.
• FMR LLC holds sole voting power over 27,129,879.26 shares and sole dispositive power over 27,495,982.06 shares.
• Abigail P. Johnson holds sole dispositive power over 27,495,982.06 shares, with no sole voting power.
• The reporting persons certify that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of International Paper Co.
• Several FMR LLC subsidiaries are identified as entities that beneficially own shares, including Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, which beneficially owns 5% or greater of the outstanding shares.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing indicates a significant, passive institutional investment in International Paper Co., which can be viewed as a vote of confidence by a major asset manager. There are no negative implications for the issuer within the document.

Positives

• The disclosure of a significant 7.9% stake by a major institutional investor like FMR LLC can be interpreted by the market as a vote of confidence in International Paper Co.'s long-term prospects.
• The passive nature of the investment, as certified by the filers, suggests that FMR LLC is not seeking to influence the company's control or operations, which can provide stability and reduce uncertainty for other investors.

Risks

• No specific risks related to International Paper Co.'s operations, financial health, or strategic direction are disclosed in this beneficial ownership filing.
• The document notes that members of the Johnson family, including Abigail P. Johnson, through their ownership of voting common shares and a shareholders' voting agreement, may be deemed to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC, which is an internal governance point for the reporting entity.

Future Outlook

This Schedule 13G filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding International Paper Co.'s future performance or strategic outlook. It solely reports current beneficial ownership.

Industry Context

This filing is a routine disclosure of a significant passive ownership stake by a major asset manager in a publicly traded company within the paper and packaging industry. It does not provide specific insights into broader industry trends or competitive dynamics, but rather reflects an investment decision by a large institutional player.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The filing describes the relationship between FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson, noting that Abigail P. Johnson is a Director, Chairman, and CEO of FMR LLC, and a member of the Johnson family who are predominant owners of FMR LLC's voting shares. This clarifies the relationship between the co-filers but does not disclose related-party transactions involving International Paper Co.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders of International Paper Co. may view the continued significant institutional ownership by FMR LLC as a positive signal, potentially reinforcing confidence in the company's stock.
• The passive nature of the investment suggests no immediate impact on company management, employees, customers, or suppliers, as the investor is not seeking to influence control.

Key Dates

Keywords

International Paper, IP, FMR LLC, Abigail P. Johnson, Schedule 13G, beneficial ownership, common stock, passive investment, institutional investor, SEC filing