We recently compiled a list of the 7 Best High Short Interest Stocks To Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP) stands against the other high short interest stocks.

What’s Going On in China?

China’s housing market, once a booming sector, has experienced a significant downturn in recent years. To revitalize the market, the government recently implemented a series of policy changes aimed at stimulating demand. These changes include easing home-buying restrictions in major cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.

The relaxation of these restrictions has had a positive impact on the stock market. Investors, encouraged by the government’s efforts, have been pouring money into Chinese stocks, particularly those related to the real estate sector. This surge in investment has led to a significant increase in stock prices. The CSI 300 index saw its most significant weekly gain since 2008, rising over 15% in late September 2024

While all of this activity has had a positive short-term impact, economists believe that more measures are needed to address China’s weak domestic demand. The housing market is still grappling with concerns about developer solvency and the overall economic outlook. The government’s efforts to address these issues will be crucial for the long-term recovery of the housing market and the broader economy.

On September 27, Jeremy Siegel, Wharton School professor of finance, joined CNBC’s ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss how much of a game changer recent news from China is. He shared his insights on the potential implications of global market changes, particularly in light of discussions surrounding Japan and China.

Siegel agreed with hedge fund manager David Tepper’s views but noted a divergence regarding Japan’s long-term appreciation and its effects on exports and interest rates. He highlighted that, despite concerns, the recent performance of the Japanese yen and Nikkei, showing gains of 2% each, indicates that there may still be opportunities to capitalize on these markets.

He emphasized the positive developments in China, suggesting that buying into a market with a price-to-earnings ratio of around 10 can be advantageous, especially considering the current P/E ratio for China is approximately 12 to 13. He pointed out that this valuation is relatively low compared to other markets, with Brazil being one of the few markets with an even lower ratio. Siegel referenced Warren Buffett’s concept of “margin of safety” when investing in low P/E markets, reinforcing his belief in the potential for gains in China despite some bearish sentiments.

When asked about the US market, Siegel indicated that it appears full at present. He praised the Fed’s new trajectory and suggested that if they implement a quarter-point rate increase at each meeting, they could reach a target rate of around 3.5% by mid-2025. He argued that current inflation data supports this approach, although he expressed skepticism about reaching the Fed’s dot plot target of 2.9% without a recession.

Siegel believes that while inflation remains a concern, the Fed does not need to take drastic measures such as a 50 basis point hike. Instead, he advocates for a more gradual approach to rate increases, which would help stabilize the economy without causing significant harm. He noted that if the market anticipates these adjustments, the outlook for the remainder of the year could improve.

Overall, his analysis suggests that while opportunities exist in international markets like Japan and China, investors should remain cautious about US equities due to their current valuations. His perspective encourages a balanced approach to investing in various global markets while keeping an eye on macroeconomic indicators and central bank policies.

China’s recent stimulus measures have encouraged renewed investor interest in Chinese stocks. Short-term traders have been consistently purchasing stocks, and hedge funds have increased their allocations to Chinese equities. While the stimulus is positive, underlying economic challenges could affect investment strategies, including short-selling.

Methodology

To compile our list, we used the Finviz stock screener to find companies with a short interest between 10% and 25%. We then selected 10 stocks that were the most shorted but at the same time popular among elite hedge funds and that analysts were bullish on. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey’s database which tracks the moves of over 900 elite money managers. The stocks are ranked in ascending order of their short interest.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP)

Short % of Float As of September 13: 16.11%

Market Capitalization as of September 30: $17.04 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP) is the world’s largest pulp and paper company, operating in numerous countries and serving a diverse customer base. Its products are used in a range of applications, including packaging for consumer goods, industrial products, and printing and writing papers, with a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

The company made $4.73 billion in Q2 2024 revenue, which, despite being lower than Street estimates, ended up improving 1.11% from a year-ago period. This was driven by improved pricing and mix, along with higher export and mix benefits. Its Industrial Packaging segment saw growth due to higher prices and favorable market conditions, while the Global Cellulose Fiber segment remained relatively stable despite some fluctuations in product demand.

The company has seen a decline in investor interest following the failure of a potential acquisition by Suzano. Investors had been anticipating a significant premium from the deal, but International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP) chose to remain independent rather than consolidate.

At the same time, it is in the process of acquiring DS Smith, a UK-based packaging company. This acquisition is anticipated to create significant value for shareholders by enhancing its operational capabilities and expanding its market presence.

CEO Andy Silvernail also introduced an 80/20 business process aimed at enhancing the company’s operational efficiency. This approach focuses on identifying and prioritizing the most profitable segments of their portfolio while optimizing costs and improving customer relations.

The company has a promising future, despite challenges. International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP) possesses a strong foundation, including a talented team, a rich history, and a significant opportunity for growth. By implementing a strategic approach focused on customer-driven strategies, cost optimization, and team alignment, it can achieve long-term success.

Diamond Hill Select Strategy stated the following regarding International Paper Company (NYSE:IP) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:

“Other top individual contributors in the quarter included Coherent and new holding International Paper Company (NYSE:IP). International Paper is one of the US’s largest manufacturers of containerboards, which is used to make corrugated boxes and other packaging materials. We expect that as the demand environment improves and the company focuses on its commercial execution, it will be able to improve profitability and bring operating margins back to normalized levels. Given what we view as an attractive valuation for a high-quality company, we capitalized on the opportunity to initiate a position in Q2. Shares subsequently rallied after reports that Brazilian company Suzano is interested in acquiring the company.”

Overall IP ranks 5th on our list of the best high short interest stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of IP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold great promise for delivering high returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than IP but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.