IP, GP and Weyco share business risk profiles: standard & poor's report.(International Paper Co.)(Georgia-Pacific Corp.)(Brief Article)

Official Board Markets, July, 2004

International Paper Co. (IP), Stamford, Conn., Georgia-Pacific Corp. (GP), Atlanta, and Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wash, have similar business risk profiles, according to a Standard & Poor's Ratings Services peer comparison report. All are large, diversified paper and wood products manufacturers with leading market shares in most of the product categories in which they compete. The three have a total of nearly $40 million in outstanding debt.

"There are some differences with respect to their cost positions, however, with IP's viewed as weaker than that of the other two companies," says Cynthia Werneth, Standard & Poor's credit analyst.

When comparing financial profiles, Standard & Poor's considers GP to have a higher degree of financial...