Core Insights - International Paper Company (IP) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of 20 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents by 47% and reflecting a 64% year-over-year decline [1][10] - Net sales for the quarter reached $6.767 billion, a 42.9% increase from the previous year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.770 billion [2][10] Financial Performance - The cost of sales was $4.88 billion, up 45.1% from $3.36 billion in the same quarter last year, while gross profit increased 37.6% year over year to $1.89 billion, resulting in a gross margin of 27.9%, down from 29% a year ago [3] - Selling and administrative costs rose to $578 million, a 27.6% increase from $453 million in the prior-year quarter, with adjusted operating profit at $105 million, down 45.6% from $193 million in Q2 2024 [4] Segment Performance - Packaging Solutions North America reported sales of $3.86 billion, a 6.4% increase year over year, but operating profit fell 1.4% to $277 million [6] - Packaging Solutions EMEA saw sales rise to $2.29 billion from $0.35 billion due to the integration of DS Smith, but reported an operating loss of $1 million compared to a profit of $10 million in the prior year [7] - Global Cellulose Fibers experienced a 12.4% decline in sales to $628 million, resulting in an operating loss of $4 million, down from a profit of $31 million in the same quarter last year [8] Cash and Debt Position - At the end of the second quarter, cash and temporary investments totaled $1.13 billion, slightly down from $1.17 billion at the end of 2024 [9] - Long-term debt increased to $9.69 billion from $5.34 billion as of the end of 2024, with cash flow from operating activities at $188 million in the first half of 2025, compared to $760 million in the same period of 2024 [11] Stock Performance - The company's shares have increased by 19.6% over the past year, while the industry has seen a rise of 28.5% [12]

Core Insights - Smurfit Westrock Plc (SW) reported earnings of 45 cents per share in Q2 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 57 cents by 21% and down from 69 cents in the same quarter last year [1][10] - The company's net sales for Q2 2025 were $7.94 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.92 billion and significantly up from $2.97 billion in the prior year [3][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025 was $1.21 billion, compared to $0.48 billion in the year-ago quarter, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.3% [4][10] Financial Performance - The cost of sales in Q2 2025 was $6.43 billion, up from $2.28 billion in the previous year, leading to a gross profit of $1.52 billion, which surged 118.6% year over year [4] - The gross margin decreased to 19.1% from 23.3% in the year-ago quarter [4] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q2 2025 were $778 million, down from $855 million at the end of 2024, while net cash provided by operating activities increased to $829 million from $340 million in the prior year [8] Segment Performance - The Europe, MEA & APAC segment reported sales of $2.78 billion, a 25.6% increase year over year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 2.8% to $372 million [5] - The North America segment saw sales of $4.76 billion, a significant increase from $0.44 billion in the year-ago period, with adjusted EBITDA soaring to $752 million from $61 million [6] - The LATAM segment's sales were $518 million, up 52.4% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing 41.4% to $123 million [7] Outlook - Smurfit Westrock expects Q3 2025 adjusted EBITDA to be $1.3 billion and projects FY 2025 adjusted EBITDA between $5 billion and $5.2 billion, indicating a year-over-year rise from $4.7 billion [11][10] Stock Performance - Shares of Smurfit Westrock have gained 6.3% over the past year, compared to the industry's growth of 29.4% [12]

Financial Performance - Smurfit Westrock reported Net Sales of $7.940 billion[27] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.213 billion[9, 27] - Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 15.3%[9, 27] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow amounted to $387 million[27] Segment Performance - North America's Net Sales totaled $4.8 billion with an Adjusted EBITDA of $752 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 15.8%[29] - EMEA & APAC achieved Net Sales of $2.8 billion with an Adjusted EBITDA of $372 million and an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 13.4%[29] - LATAM's Net Sales were $0.5 billion with an Adjusted EBITDA of $123 million and an outstanding Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 23.7%[29] Capital Allocation and Investments - Capital expenditure for 2025 is projected to be between $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion[30, 45] - Approximately $1 billion was spent across the system, including over $450 million invested in the paper system and over $450 million in the packaging business[23] Synergies and Outlook - The company anticipates a $400 million contribution to Adjusted EBITDA from synergies, with full run rate exiting 2025[37] - Approximately $350 million is expected to be captured in Adjusted EBITDA in 2025, with about $180 million already achieved in H1 2025[37] - Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is guided to be approximately $1.3 billion, and FY 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $5.0 billion and $5.2 billion[37, 45]

Core Insights - International Paper Company (IP) is set to report its second-quarter 2025 results on July 31, with expected revenues of $6.8 billion, reflecting a 43% year-over-year growth [1][6] - The earnings estimate for IP has decreased by 2.6% over the past 60 days to 38 cents per share, indicating a 30% decline compared to the previous year [1][6] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The projected revenue of $6.8 billion for Q2 is primarily driven by the acquisition of DS Smith [6] - The Packaging Solutions EMEA segment is expected to see net sales rise to $2.23 billion from $330 million year-over-year, with an anticipated operating profit of $72.9 million [6][9] - Packaging Solutions North America is projected to have net sales of $4.01 billion, a 10.4% increase year-over-year, with an operating profit of $309 million [10] - The Global Cellulose Fibers segment is expected to report a 9.1% decline in net sales to $652 million, with an operating loss of $4.1 million [10] Market Dynamics - The company has been facing weak packaging demand due to inflationary pressures affecting consumer priorities, leading to reduced demand for packaging [11] - However, stable demand in the e-commerce sector and strategic initiatives by the company may help mitigate some of these challenges [11] Earnings Surprise History - International Paper has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimates in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 39.5% [3][4] - The current Earnings ESP for IP stands at +1.31%, indicating a potential for an earnings beat [7] Stock Performance - Over the past year, IP shares have increased by 23.7%, compared to the industry's growth of 30.6% [12] Strategic Acquisition - The completion of the DS Smith acquisition on January 31, 2025, has positioned International Paper as a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, impacting its financial reporting structure [8]

Core Insights - Smurfit Westrock PLC (SW) is set to report its second-quarter 2025 results on July 30, 2025, before market open [1] - The company was formed by the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock on July 5, 2024, and began reporting combined results from Q3 2024 [1] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SW's Q2 2025 revenues is $7.92 billion, reflecting a 3.5% growth from Q1 2025 [2] - The earnings per share (EPS) estimate is 57 cents, indicating a decline from 73 cents in the previous quarter [2] - The consensus for earnings has increased by 9.5% over the past 60 days [2] Segment Performance - The Europe, MEA, and APAC segment is projected to generate revenues of $2.83 billion in Q2 2025, up from $2.58 billion in Q1 2025 [5] - The North America segment's revenue estimate is $4.62 billion, down from $4.67 billion in Q1 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA estimate of $753 million, a decrease from $785 million [6] - The LATAM segment's revenue estimate is $497 million, down from $513 million, while adjusted EBITDA is expected to rise to $124 million from $115 million [7] Market Dynamics - Demand for corrugated packaging and containerboard remains stable, driven by essential items like food and beverages, as well as e-commerce growth [4] - Increased costs for recovered fiber, labor, and distribution, particularly in Europe, are anticipated to pressure margins [4] - The company expects an adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 billion for Q2 2025 [4] Stock Performance - Smurfit Westrock's shares have increased by 3.8% over the past year, compared to the industry's growth of 28.8% [9]

Core Viewpoint - Smurfit Westrock Plc reported earnings of 73 cents per share for Q1 2025, exceeding estimates but showing no year-over-year growth [1][3]. Financial Performance - Q1 2025 net sales were $7.7 billion, missing the consensus estimate of $7.85 billion, while sales in the year-ago quarter were $2.93 billion [3]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $1.25 billion, up from $0.5 billion in the previous year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.4% compared to 16.2% [4]. - Gross profit increased 122% year-over-year to $1.58 billion, with a gross margin of 20.6%, down from 24.2% in the year-ago quarter [3]. Segment Performance - Europe, MEA & APAC segment sales were $2.6 billion, a 17.7% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 1% to $389 million [5]. - North America segment sales surged to $4.7 billion from $0.4 billion in the previous year, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $785 million from $59 million [6]. - LATAM segment sales reached $513 million, up 50% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA skyrocketing 113% to $115 million [7]. Cash Position and Balance Sheet - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q1 2025 were $797 million, down from $855 million at the end of 2024 [8]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $235 million, compared to $42 million in the year-ago quarter [9]. Future Outlook - The company expects to achieve $400 million in synergies, with approximately $350 million expected in the current year [11]. - Q2 2025 adjusted EBITDA is projected to be $1.2 billion, with full-year adjusted EBITDA expected between $5 billion and $5.2 billion [12]. Stock Performance - Smurfit Westrock's shares have declined 18.8% over the past six months, compared to a 12.7% decline in the industry [13].

Core Viewpoint - Smurfit Westrock PLC is set to report its first-quarter 2025 results on May 1, following the merger of Smurfit Kappa and WestRock in July 2024, with expectations of revenue growth and improved earnings per share [1][2]. Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is $7.85 billion, reflecting a 4.1% increase from the previous quarter [2]. - The earnings per share estimate is 65 cents, up from 34 cents in the prior quarter, with a 4.8% upward revision in the last 60 days [2]. - Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $1.25 billion for the first quarter of 2025 [4]. Segment Performance - The Europe, MEA, and APAC segment is expected to generate revenues of $2.61 billion, up from $2.52 billion in the fourth quarter, with adjusted EBITDA estimated at $418.6 million [6]. - North America segment revenues are estimated at $4.54 billion, slightly down from $4.59 billion, with adjusted EBITDA expected to rise to $755.3 million [7]. - The LATAM segment is projected to see revenues of $483.6 million, down from $524 million, with adjusted EBITDA estimated at $112.3 million [8]. Market Dynamics - Demand for corrugated packaging and containerboard remains stable, driven by e-commerce growth and the need for sustainable packaging solutions [3]. - However, increased costs related to recovered fiber, labor, and distribution, particularly in Europe, may negatively impact margins [4]. Earnings Prediction - The model indicates a potential earnings beat for Smurfit Westrock, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +3.72% and a Zacks Rank of 3 [9]. Stock Performance - Smurfit Westrock's shares have decreased by 13.9% over the past six months, compared to a 4.5% decline in the industry [10].