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Operating Expenses

Distribution expenses

International Paper Distribution expenses decreased by 5.5% to $513M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 23.0%, from $417M to $513M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Distribution expenses shows an upward trend with a 9.3% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement
SectionOperating Expenses
CategoryEfficiency
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ1 2016
Last reportedQ1 2026May 5, 2026

How to read this metric

Rising distribution costs often signal higher fuel prices or supply chain inefficiencies, while decreases suggest logistics optimization.

Detailed definition

Distribution expenses represent the costs associated with transporting and delivering finished products to customers. Th...

Peer comparison

Common in logistics-heavy industries; peers monitor this closely relative to total sales volume and geographic reach.

Metric ID: operating_expenses_distribution_expenses_ab6b4a

Historical Data

20 periods
 Q2 '21Q3 '21Q4 '21Q1 '22Q2 '22Q3 '22Q4 '22Q1 '23Q2 '23Q3 '23Q4 '23Q1 '24Q2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
Value$342M$365M$402M$424M$442M$471M$446M$422M$376M$382M$60M$391M$379M$288M$279M$417M$578M$524M$543M$513M
QoQ Change+6.7%+10.1%+5.5%+4.2%+6.6%-5.3%-5.4%-10.9%+1.6%-84.3%+551.7%-3.1%-24.0%-3.1%+49.5%+38.6%-9.3%+3.6%-5.5%
YoY Change+29.2%+29.0%+10.9%-0.5%-14.9%-18.9%-86.5%-7.3%+0.8%-24.6%+365.0%+6.6%+52.5%+81.9%+94.6%+23.0%
Range$60M$578M
CAGR+8.9%
Avg YoY Growth+33.8%
Median YoY Growth+8.8%

Business Segments

View all
SegmentQ2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26
PS NA$281M$287M$291M$276M
PS EMEA$235M$235M$252M$237M
Global Cellulose Fibers$75M$63M
Industrial Packaging$294.75M$294.75M$294.75M
Packaging Solutions EMEA$151M
Packaging Solutions North America$266M
Total$379M$288M$279M$417M$578M$524M$543M$513M

Industrial Packaging is derived from annual filings.

Global Cellulose Fibers, Industrial Packaging, Packaging Solutions EMEA, Packaging Solutions North America were previously reported and have since been discontinued or reclassified. Only currently active segments are shown in the chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is International Paper's distribution expenses?
International Paper (IP) reported distribution expenses of $513M in Q1 2026.
How has International Paper's distribution expenses changed year-over-year?
International Paper's distribution expenses increased by 23.0% year-over-year, from $417M to $513M.
What is the long-term trend for International Paper's distribution expenses?
Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), International Paper's distribution expenses has grown at a 9.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.44B to $2.06B.
What does distribution expenses mean?
The costs incurred to ship and deliver products to customers.