IP vs CLW

For growth investors, International Paper Company (IP) is the stronger pick with 33.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 4% for Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW). Analysts rate International Paper Company (IP) a "Buy" — based on 29 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, International Paper Company (IP) delivered a total return of -27.

2%, compared to -53. 9% for Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IP returned +29. 1% versus CLW's -77. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), International Paper Company (IP) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

21β versus Clearwater Paper Corporation's 1. 37β — meaning CLW is approximately 13% more volatile than IP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 73% for International Paper Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), International Paper Company (IP) is pulling ahead at 33.

7% versus 12. 4% for Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Clearwater Paper Corporation grew EPS -110. 6% year-over-year, compared to -527. 4% for International Paper Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, IP leads at 5. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Clearwater Paper Corporation (CLW) is the more profitable company, earning -1.

3% net margin versus -14. 1% for International Paper Company — meaning it keeps -1. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CLW leads at 1. 2% versus -11. 3% for IP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IP leads at 29. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IP: 39.

9% to $46. 20.

In this comparison, IP (5.

6% yield) pays a dividend. CLW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, International Paper Company (IP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

21), 5. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IP: +29. 1%, CLW: -77. 2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

These companies operate in different sectors (IP (Consumer Cyclical) and CLW (Basic Materials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: IP is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CLW is a small-cap quality compounder stock. IP pays a dividend while CLW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.