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International Paper Co (International Paper Co) Predictability Rank


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What is International Paper Co Predictability Rank?

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Warren Buffett said many times that the companies he likes are:

1. Simple businesses that he understands
2. that have predictable and proven earnings and
3. with economic moat
4. those can be bought at a reasonable price.

It is hard to quantify "simple businesses that he (Buffett) understands", so we will focus on the other three characteristics instead. In GuruFocus Research: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part I: Introduction of Predictability Rank, we will show that the businesses that have predictable and proven earnings are usually also simple businesses that an average person could understand.

GuruFocus conducted a back test study of Warren Buffett's strategy of "buying good companies at fair prices" for the years from 1998-2008.


International Paper Co Predictability Rank Calculation

In our database there are 2403 stocks that have been traded from Jan. 2, 1998 to Aug. 31, 2008. We have the complete 10-year financial data and trading prices of these companies for this period. We rank the predictability of these companies based on the consistency of their revenue per share and EBITDA (earning before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) per share over the past ten fiscal years, and study the correlation between the stock performances and the predictability of the business.

Our study may be subject to these biases and assumptions:

Dividend yields are not counted for investment returns
Effects of price changes due to spin-offs may not be fully adjusted
Study is subjected to survivorship bias due to de-listing, bankruptcy, LBO, M&A, etc.

The correlation between business predictability and investment returns of a company is showed below.

Correlation Between Business Predictability and Investment Returns

PredictablesNon-PredictableAll stocks
Total Number of stocks57018332403
Total Lost Money61830891
Total Lost More Than 50%18412430
Total Lost More Than 90%48690
Average Gain260.6%100.0%138.1%
Median Gain150.0%13.0%39.0%
Maximum Gain2852.0%11483.0%11483.0%
Maximum Loss-100.0%-100.0%-100.0%
Annualized Average Gain12.7%6.7%8.4%
Annualized Median Gain8.9%1.1%3.1%


















For the 570 predictable companies, we have seen strong correlation between the predictability of businesses and the stock performances over the past 10 years, regardless of the valuation of business at 1998. Accordingly, we have ranked the business predictability from 5-star to 1-star, as shown in this table.

Predictability Rank5-Star4.5-Star4-Star3.5-Star3-Star2.5-Star2-Star1-Star (non-predictable)Average among all
% Out of All 2403 Stocks 3.3% 2.9% 3.7% 3.3% 3.3% 3.7% 3.3% 76.3% 100%
% that are in Loss (10y) 3% 10% 8% 9% 11% 18% 16% 45% 37%
Average Gain (10y) 364.6% 330.9% 278.0% 235.1% 243.5% 227.8% 154.8% 100.0% 138.1%
Median Gain (10y) 238.5% 193.5% 171.0% 159.0% 132.5% 113.5% 87.0% 13.0% 39.0%
Maximum Gainer 2228.0% 2547.0% 2452.0% 2852.0% 2432.0% 1892.0% 1807.0% 11483.0% 11483.0%
Maximum Loser -82.0% -53.0% -67.0% -100.0% -83.0% -100.0% -78.0% -100.0% -100.0%
Annualized Average Gain 15.4% 14.6% 13.2% 12.0% 12.2% 11.7% 9.1% 6.7% 8.4%
Annualized Median Gain 12.1% 10.6% 9.8% 9.3% 8.2% 7.3% 6.0% 1.1% 3.1%
















For detailed information about each predictability rank, please go to GuruFocus Research: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part I: Introduction of Predictability Rank

Also read:

Part II: What worked in the market from 1998-2008? Part II: Role of Valuations
Part III: Intrinsic Value, Discounted Cash Flow and Margin of Safety

International Paper Co Predictability Rank Related Terms

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International Paper Co (International Paper Co) Business Description

Address
6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN, USA, 38197
International Paper manufactures packaging products and cellulose fibers. It accounts for roughly one third of the North American corrugated packaging market. Though it has operations in Brazil, Russia, India, and China, more than three fourths of its sales come from North America. International Paper serves a variety of end markets, including industrial, consumer products, and manufacturing.
Executives
Thomas J. Plath officer: Senior Vice President C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Holly G Houghnour officer: Vice President & Controller C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Kseniia N. Sosnina officer: Senior Vice President 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
International Paper Co /new/ officer: Senior Vice President 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Joseph R. Saab officer: SVP, GC and Corp. Secretary 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Mark S Sutton director, officer: Chairman and CEO C\O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Aimee K. Gregg officer: Senior Vice President 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Allison B. Magness officer: Senior Vice President 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Timothy S Nicholls officer: SVP and CFO C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
William Thomas Hamic officer: Senior Vice President 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
John V Sims officer: Senior Vice President C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Jeanmichel Ribieras officer: Senior Vice President C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Lewis Clinton A. Jr. director C/O ZOETIS INC., 100 CAMPUS DRIVE, FLORHAM PARK NJ 07940
Gregory T Wanta officer: Senior Vice President C/O INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, 6400 POPLAR AVENUE, MEMPHIS TN 38197
Donald G Macpherson director 100 GRAINGER PARKWAY, LAKE FOREST IL 60045