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International Paper Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 January 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EBITDA reached $2.98 billion: Full-year adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $2,976 million, against $1,636 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $758 million, against $859 million in the third quarter. Source
  • PS NA fourth-quarter profit rose: PS NA operating profit was $319 million in the fourth quarter, against $(166) million in the third quarter. Full-year PS NA operating profit was $572 million, against $891 million in 2024. Source
  • PS EMEA fourth-quarter loss widened: PS EMEA operating loss was $(223) million in the fourth quarter, against $(58) million in the third quarter. Full-year PS EMEA operating loss was $(236) million, against operating profit of $60 million in 2024. Source
  • Goodwill impairment on PS EMEA recorded: The company recorded a $2.47 billion non-cash goodwill impairment on the PS EMEA reporting unit as of December 31, 2025, following the fair value measurement in the annual strategic review. Source
  • Full-year free cash flow was negative: Full-year free cash flow was $(159) million, against $757 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter free cash flow was $255 million, against $137 million a year earlier. Source
  • Two independent companies from PS NA and PS EMEA: The company announced its intent to form two independent public companies through separation of PS NA and PS EMEA, in a separate release issued the same day. Source
  • 2026 targets based on above-industry growth: Management said the 2026 targets are based on above-industry growth and do not reflect future price realization. Source

“In North America we grew above market in the second half of the year and delivered 37% year-over-year adjusted EBITDA improvement.”

Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations SourceFull-year 2026$3.5-$3.7 billionNew
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations SourceFirst quarter 2026$740-760 millionNew
Non-operating pension expense (income) SourceFull-year 2026(77)New
Non-operating pension expense (income) SourceFirst quarter 2026(19)New
Separation of PS NA and PS EMEA into two companies SourceCompletion, 12-15 months from announcement12-15 monthsNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year and first-quarter 2026 adjusted EBITDA targets were given; the third quarter release contained no 2026 targets. Source
  • New: Announced intent to form two independent public companies through separation of PS NA and PS EMEA. Source
  • Ended: Global Cellulose Fibers sale to AIP for $1.5 billion completed, following the August 2025 definitive agreement. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Full-year net sales reached $23.63 billion: Full-year 2025 net sales were $23.63 billion, against $15,835 million for full-year 2024. Fourth-quarter net sales were $6,006 million, against $6,222 million in the third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA reached $2.98 billion: Full-year adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $2,976 million, against $1,636 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $758 million, against $859 million in the third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted operating result turned negative: Full-year adjusted operating loss was $(100) million, against adjusted operating earnings of $471 million in 2024. The fourth-quarter adjusted operating loss was $(43) million. Source

Segments and regions

  • PS NA fourth-quarter profit rose: PS NA operating profit was $319 million in the fourth quarter, against $(166) million in the third quarter. Full-year PS NA operating profit was $572 million, against $891 million in 2024. Source
  • PS NA sales fell on exits and fewer days: PS NA net sales fell in the fourth quarter on lower volumes from exiting non-strategic export containerboard and specialty markets and three fewer shipping days. Higher box prices and strategic customer wins partly offset this. Source
  • PS EMEA fourth-quarter loss widened: PS EMEA operating loss was $(223) million in the fourth quarter, against $(58) million in the third quarter. Full-year PS EMEA operating loss was $(236) million, against operating profit of $60 million in 2024. Source
  • PS EMEA sales held near third-quarter level: PS EMEA net sales were $2,300 million in the fourth quarter, against $2,310 million in the third quarter and $357 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Source

“By deploying and embedding 80/20, we focused resources where we can win and built two regional packaging powerhouses.”

Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail

Costs, charges and special items

  • Goodwill impairment on PS EMEA recorded: The company recorded a $2.47 billion non-cash goodwill impairment on the PS EMEA reporting unit as of December 31, 2025, following the fair value measurement in the annual strategic review. Source
  • Restructuring charges tied to mill and 80/20 actions: Restructuring charges, net were $162 million in the fourth quarter, $342 million in the third quarter and $626 million for full-year 2025, tied to mill closures and 80/20 actions. Source
  • PS NA cost of products sold fell: PS NA cost of products sold fell on lower volumes and operating costs, including mill cost-out and lower input costs. Higher planned maintenance outage costs partly offset the decline. Source
  • PS EMEA costs fell on fiber and energy: PS EMEA cost of products sold fell in the fourth quarter on lower fiber and energy costs and lower planned maintenance outage costs. Source
  • PS EMEA accelerated depreciation rose: PS EMEA depreciation included $73 million of accelerated depreciation from mill and plant closures in the fourth quarter, against $56 million in the third quarter. Source

Cash, capital and returns

  • Full-year free cash flow was negative: Full-year free cash flow was $(159) million, against $757 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter free cash flow was $255 million, against $137 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose in 2025: Full-year cash provided by operating activities was $1,698 million, against $1,678 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $905 million, against $397 million a year earlier. Source
  • Capital spending rose to $1,857 million: Full-year capital expenditures were $1,857 million, against $921 million in 2024. Fourth-quarter capital expenditures were $650 million, against $260 million a year earlier. Source
  • Dividends paid rose to $977 million: Dividends paid were $977 million in 2025, against $643 million in 2024. Source
  • Cash balance rose at year end: Cash and temporary investments were $1,145 million at December 31, 2025, against $1,062 million a year earlier. Source

Two-company separation and GCF sale

  • Two independent companies from PS NA and PS EMEA: The company announced its intent to form two independent public companies through separation of PS NA and PS EMEA, in a separate release issued the same day. Source
  • Two regional leaders intended: Management said the separation is intended to create two scaled regional packaging leaders, each with focused management teams, tailored investment and capital allocation strategies, and compelling financial profiles. Source
  • Global Cellulose Fibers sale completed: The company completed the sale of its Global Cellulose Fibers business to AIP for $1.5 billion, subject to customary closing conditions, as announced January 23, 2026. Source
  • 2025 impairment on Global Cellulose Fibers: The company recorded a 2025 impairment charge totaling $1.07 billion on the Global Cellulose Fibers business, where fair value less costs to sell was below carrying value. Source

2026 targets and assumptions

  • 2026 targets based on above-industry growth: Management said the 2026 targets are based on above-industry growth and do not reflect future price realization. Source
  • Special items excluded from target setting: Special items are excluded from target setting because they are difficult to predict and quantify and may reflect future events. Source
  • Targets presented as an adjusted EBITDA bridge: The company presented the 2026 targets in a calculation reconciling earnings from continuing operations before income taxes to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. Source

Leadership and 80/20 execution

  • Cost-out and commercial progress expected: Management said it anticipates meaningful progress on commercial and cost-out initiatives as the company enters 2026. Source
  • EMEA cost levers applied: Management said it moved decisively in EMEA and made significant progress applying commercial and structural cost levers. Source
  • Confidence in 2026 plans: Management said it has confidence in the plans to achieve the 2026 targets. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 January 2026

  • Form 10-K filing on February 26: Preliminary full-year and fourth quarter results will be finalized in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which the company intends to file on February 26, 2026. Source
  • Preferred stock to be received from GCF sale: As part of the Global Cellulose Fibers consideration, the company will receive preferred stock with an initial liquidation preference of $190 million. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management has not yet fully assessed the impact of this week's winter storm across the US. Source
  • Demand: Management attributed the fourth-quarter PS EMEA net sales decline to lower sales prices and lower volumes in a continued soft demand environment. Source
  • Operational: Full-year results include $0.96 billion of non-cash accelerated depreciation tied to asset rationalization decisions. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In the third quarter release, management said it was accelerating actions and remained committed to executing its transformation plan.
  • Not stated: The company said accelerated depreciation from previously announced mill closures did not recur in the fourth quarter at the prior-quarter level. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.