Earlier this month, Weyerhaeuser Co. (WY) announced the commencement of a cash tender offer to purchase up to $500 million principal amount of its 6.750% notes due in March 15, 2012.   Weyerhaeuser is offering to purchase for cash up to $500 million principal amount of its outstanding 6.750% Notes due March 15, 2012 from each registered holder of Securities pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase dated November 10, 2009. The Offer will expire on December 9, 2009. The deadline for Holders to validly withdraw tenders of Securities is November 24, 2009, unless extended.   Weyerhaeuser Company is one of the world’s largest forest products companies with sales of $8 billion in 2008. It has offices or operations in 10 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of ...

International Paper Co. (IP) reported third-quarter EPS of 37 cents, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents. The better-than-expected quarterly results were driven by the company’s overhead cost reduction efforts as well as integration synergies in its industrial packing business. However, quarterly EPS declined 56.0% from 84 cents in the prior year quarter. Quarterly sales of $5.9 billion were 13.1% lower than the year-ago sales of $6.8 billion. The company’s packaging business has been adversely impacted by declining consumer spending, while the paper business is affected by lower commercial printing and advertising activity, and deteriorating white-collar employment levels, which impact the usage of copy and laser printer paper. To offset the impact of lower sales, the company continues to focus on managing its overhead costs. The company is confident of cutting down its workforce to less than 58,000 employees by the end of the year. ...

International Paper Co. (IP) reported second-quarter EPS of $0.20 that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.01. However, quarterly EPS declined 64.3% from $0.56 in the prior year quarter.

The better-than-expected quarterly results were driven by reduction in operating overheads as well as strong integration synergies in the industrial packing business. The company reduced total number of employees by 8,000 or by 12%, compared to the second quarter of 2008.

The company achieved approximately $120 million in merger synergies during the quarter, driven by rationalization of box plants, mix improvements in the box business, optimization of mills and logistics, and a reduction in overhead costs. The company said that it is on track to achieve around $500 million in synergies from the acquisition of Weyerhaeuser’s Packaging assets.

Also, International Paper generated strong free cash flow of approximately $1.3 billion in the quarter through margin management and strong focus on working capital. The company therefore

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U.S. stock index futures rose on Thursday following another string of stronger-than-expected quarterly corporate profits, a broker upgrade for General Electric Co , and fresh indications that the global economic downturn is easing.

Companies posting solid results before the bell included AON Corp and industrial conglomerate Tyco International Ltd .

Goldman Sachs raised its recommendation on GE to “buy,” saying comments made by the chairman of a key congressional committee suggests a decreased chance of a break up of the finance arm of the diversified industrial manufacturer.

U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank in an interview with Bloomberg late on Wednesday suggested there was broadening support for regulatory reform that would not mandate the separation of GE Capital, Goldman analysts said.

GE shares rose 5.5 percent to $12.94 before the bell.

“A lot of this is a follow up of the resilience we’ve seen in the market over a couple of weeks. The clear sentiment is

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International Paper Co. (IP) shares rallied 2 days in a row as investors regained some confidence in the company's liquidity, after it refinanced a large loan due in August, even amid the ongoing credit crunch.

On Monday, the paper and packaging products maker said it refinanced the 500 million euro (nearly $645 million) loan by securing $470 million through a new credit agreement that matures in March 2012 and repaying the remaining amount using available cash.

Analysts also said going forward, International Paper may benefit from alternative fuel tax credits.

Shares of the company were up nearly 14% to $7.19 at noon on Tuesday. International Paper has shed more than 40% of its value so far this year.

"IP" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

International Paper Co. (IP) declared that it will cut its dividend by 90%, aimed at saving about $400 million a year. The leading U.S. paper and packaging manufacturer is currently struggling with a heavy debt burden and is also facing falling demand.

The quarterly payout now stands at 2.5 cents a share, which is down from its previous payout of 25 cents. Shares of International Paper fell as much as 6% on the news.

On Monday, PNC Financial Services Group Inc announced that it would slash its dividend by about 85%. General Electric and JPMorgan Chase & Co were some of the other companies that declared dividend cuts last week.

IP is a Zacks #3 Rank ("Hold").

"IP" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research