Free cash flow
International Paper Free cash flow increased by 115.2% to $94.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 115.2%, from -$618.00M to $94.00M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -21.7% CAGR. This is a positive signal — higher values indicate stronger performance for this metric.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $633.00M | $519.00M | $0.00 | $403.00M | $204.00M | $197.00M | $439.00M | $4.00M | $261.00M | $240.00M | $187.00M | $144.00M | $167.00M | $309.00M | $137.00M | -$618.00M | $94.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -18.0% | -100.0% | — | -49.4% | -3.4% | +122.8% | -99.1% | >999% | -8.0% | -22.1% | -23.0% | +16.0% | +85.0% | -55.7% | -551.1% | +115.2% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -67.8% | -62.0% | — | -99.0% | +27.9% | +21.8% | -57.4% | >999% | -36.0% | +28.7% | -26.7% | -529.2% | +115.2% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is International Paper's free cash flow?
- International Paper (IP) reported free cash flow of $94.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has International Paper's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- International Paper's free cash flow increased by 115.2% year-over-year, from -$618.00M to $94.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for International Paper's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2024), International Paper's free cash flow has grown at a -21.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.58B to $757.00M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.