International Paper(US:IP) 智通财经网·2025-08-14 13:15Group 1 - The decline in corrugated cardboard sales is seen as a non-traditional economic indicator, suggesting potential retail demand adjustments in the near future [1] - U.S. cardboard shipments have reached their lowest second-quarter level since 2015, with a reported 5% year-over-year decline in daily shipments from International Paper [1] - Smurfit Kappa Group reported a 4.5% drop in North American corrugated cardboard sales, the largest decline across all its operational regions [1] Group 2 - The seasonal nature of the cardboard industry allows it to reflect real-time purchasing and manufacturing activities, serving as an early warning signal for retail spending [2] - The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has led companies to hesitate in stockpiling large volumes of packaging materials, impacting packaging demand [2] - FedEx and UPS have not updated their annual guidance due to the unclear situation, with UPS noting that consumer confidence is at a near historical low [2] Group 3 - There is a lack of organic growth in consumer goods, with promotions like "buy two, get one free" indicating weak demand [3] - Low housing transaction volumes are leading to decreased purchases of large items that require packaging, such as refrigerators and sofas [3] - The surge in packaging demand during the early COVID-19 pandemic was a temporary phenomenon, and the industry continues to face challenges from high costs and outdated facilities [3] Group 4 - The closure of a factory by International Paper has significant local economic impacts, including school closures due to reduced tax revenue [4] - There is hope that a revival in U.S. manufacturing could boost local product transportation and packaging demand, but this is contingent on offsetting the effects of reduced imports [4] - The overall outlook for cardboard manufacturers remains pessimistic, with all tracked indicators pointing towards a challenging environment [4]