CEO Silvernail Buys 50,000 Shares Amid Quiet Trading at International Paper Co.

CEO Silvernail Buys 50,000 Shares Amid Quiet Trading

On January 30, 2026, International Paper Co.’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew K. Silvernail, executed a purchase of 50,000 shares of the company’s common stock at an average price of $39.98. The transaction was filed as a Form 4 under SEC rules governing insider trading and was completed when the market price hovered near $40.32. While the buy was modest relative to the company’s market capitalization of $22.7 billion, it signals confidence from the top executive in the firm’s near‑term prospects, especially in a period when the stock has been trading below its 52‑week low of $35.56.

Insider Activity Context

The CEO’s purchase comes after a cluster of insider sales by senior executives. In November and December 2025, Senior Vice President Ellis Clay sold 18,819 shares at $36.85 and subsequently held 68,632 shares, indicating a rotation of shares among leadership. These moves—typical of “diversification” or “portfolio rebalancing”—do not necessarily signal distress, but the juxtaposition of a sale and a subsequent buy by the CEO suggests a strategic shift. It could reflect the CEO’s assessment that the market is undervaluing International Paper’s assets, particularly its pulp and packaging operations, and that a modest capital infusion from insiders could stabilize sentiment.

Implications for Investors

For investors, the CEO’s buy is a bullish cue in an otherwise muted market environment. With a negative price‑to‑earnings ratio of –15.58 and a price‑to‑book of 1.31, International Paper is trading on fundamentals that hint at earnings volatility. An insider purchase can mitigate the perception that the stock is a “value trap,” encouraging rational pricing of future earnings potential. Moreover, the buy occurs just after a strategic‑factor allocation fund from Goldman Sachs purchased 8,952 shares, indicating that institutional confidence is also on the rise.

What This Means for the Company’s Future

If the CEO’s buy reflects genuine confidence, it may precede operational initiatives that improve margins, such as cost‑saving measures in the pulp and fiber supply chain or expansion into higher‑margin packaging solutions. Investors should watch for earnings guidance and capital‑allocation announcements in the coming quarterly reports. A steady stream of insider purchases could help lift the share price toward the $45‑$50 range, while continued negative earnings metrics will likely keep volatility in check. Overall, the CEO’s transaction signals a cautiously optimistic outlook that insiders believe the company is positioned to rebound from its current earnings slump.