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International Paper Co.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 5 lowered, 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net sales and earnings both higher: Net sales were $5,971 million against $5,264 million a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $76 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, against a loss of $124 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA reported at $677 million: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $677 million, against $689 million a year earlier and $758 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Full-year target range lowered: The full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA range is $3.20-$3.50 billion, against $3.5-$3.7 billion in January. The second-quarter range is $520-$570 million. Source
  • North America operating profit $248 million: Packaging Solutions North America operating profit was $248 million, against $142 million a year earlier and $319 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • EMEA operating loss narrowed: Packaging Solutions EMEA operating loss was $51 million, against a $223 million loss in the fourth quarter and a $46 million profit a year earlier. Source
  • Cost of products sold rose: Cost of products sold was $4,244 million, against $4,123 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $3,805 million a year earlier. Source
  • Free cash flow of $94 million: Operating cash flow was $611 million, against $288 million used a year earlier. Capital expenditures of $517 million brought free cash flow to $94 million. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds fund debt paydown: Net proceeds of $1.1 billion from the Global Cellulose Fibers sale were received, and $660 million of debt was repaid. Source

“our commercial actions are gaining traction and helping us outgrow the market”

International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations SourceSecond quarter 2026$520-$570 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations SourceFull year 2026$3.20-$3.50 billionLowered from $3.5-$3.7 billion
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings SourceSecond quarter 2026$(19) - $31 millionNew
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings SourceFull year 2026$965-$1,265 millionLowered from $1,202-$1,402 million
Interest expense, net SourceFull year 2026$370 millionLowered from $375 million
Depreciation and amortization SourceFull year 2026$1,900 millionLowered from $2,000 million
Special items SourceFull year 2026$37 millionRaised from -
Non-operating pension expense (income) SourceFull year 2026(72)Lowered from (77)

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted EBITDA and pre-tax earnings ranges were both lowered. Management said it is updating these figures for the volatile environment. Source
  • New guidance: A second-quarter adjusted EBITDA range from continuing operations was given for the first time. Source
  • New: PS EMEA separation costs appear for the first time as a special item, of $11 million pre-tax in the quarter. Source

Quarter results and targets

  • Net sales and earnings both higher: Net sales were $5,971 million against $5,264 million a year earlier. Earnings from continuing operations were $76 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, against a loss of $124 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA reported at $677 million: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $677 million, against $689 million a year earlier and $758 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted operating EPS of $0.15: Adjusted operating earnings per diluted share were $0.15, against $0.17 a year earlier and a loss of $0.08 in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Full-year target range lowered: The full-year 2026 adjusted EBITDA range is $3.20-$3.50 billion, against $3.5-$3.7 billion in January. The second-quarter range is $520-$570 million. Source
  • Net special items a small charge: Net special items were a $19 million after-tax charge, or $0.04 per diluted share, against a $195 million charge a year earlier. Source

North America packaging segment

  • North America operating profit $248 million: Packaging Solutions North America operating profit was $248 million, against $142 million a year earlier and $319 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Segment sales declined sequentially: Segment net sales were $3,626 million, against $3,702 million a year earlier and $3,715 million in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Pricing and mix offset lower volume: Net sales fell as higher export pricing and mix gains were more than offset by seasonally lower volumes. Source

“our priorities are clear: execute with discipline, improve reliability and performance across our network and manage capital with rigor.”

International Paper Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail

EMEA packaging segment

  • EMEA operating loss narrowed: Packaging Solutions EMEA operating loss was $51 million, against a $223 million loss in the fourth quarter and a $46 million profit a year earlier. Source
  • EMEA sales rose on higher volumes: EMEA sales rose from $2,300 million in the fourth quarter to $2,323 million. Paper prices were lower, offset by improved packaging margins. Source
  • Depreciation lower than fourth quarter: EMEA depreciation and amortization was lower than in the fourth quarter, which carried DS Smith acquisition accounting finalization and higher accelerated depreciation from closures. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Cost of products sold rose: Cost of products sold was $4,244 million, against $4,123 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 and $3,805 million a year earlier. Source
  • North America operating and input costs rose: In North America, cost of products sold rose on higher operating costs and higher input costs. Source
  • Maintenance outage deferred to second quarter: Planned maintenance outage costs were lower because one outage was deferred to the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Storm impacts offset footprint cost-out: Winter storm impacts and higher costs for goods and services more than offset footprint cost-out benefits in operating costs. Source
  • Severance costs lower than prior year: Severance and other costs for 80/20 actions and mill closures were $23 million, against $83 million a year earlier and $162 million in the fourth quarter. Source

Cash, balance sheet and capital

  • Free cash flow of $94 million: Operating cash flow was $611 million, against $288 million used a year earlier. Capital expenditures of $517 million brought free cash flow to $94 million. Source
  • Divestiture proceeds fund debt paydown: Net proceeds of $1.1 billion from the Global Cellulose Fibers sale were received, and $660 million of debt was repaid. Source
  • Cash balance higher than year-end: Cash and temporary investments were $1,236 million at March 31, 2026, against $1,145 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • Dividends and repurchases in quarter: Dividends paid were $245 million, against $244 million a year earlier. Share repurchases and restricted stock tax withholding payments totaled $30 million, against $62 million. Source
  • Deferred tax benefit offsets 2027 cash taxes: A $271 million deferred tax benefit recorded for the fourth quarter of 2025 is expected to offset cash taxes in 2027. Source

Separation and strategy

  • EMEA initiatives run alongside separation: In EMEA, commercial and cost initiatives are being accelerated while a small core team focuses on the planned separation. Source
  • North America cost-out and productivity: North America is advancing cost-out efforts and gains in mill and box plant productivity. Source
  • Management confident in separation plan: Management said it remains confident in its strategy and that the planned separation will let North America and EMEA operate independently. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 April 2026

  • Form 10-Q filing on May 5: Management intends to file the Form 10-Q on May 5, 2026, finalizing the preliminary first-quarter results in this release. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management said consistency and reliability across the network still need work. Source
  • External: Input costs rose on higher natural gas and utility costs linked to the winter storm. Source
  • External: Management named a tougher macro environment and ongoing inflation among the primary pressures on the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In January management said it expected first-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $740-$760 million. This release does not state whether that was reached.
  • Not stated: In January management said it had confidence in the plans to achieve its 2026 targets.

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.