Buy Pinterest, Sell LiveRamp and International Paper: A Reality Check on Wall Street’s Price Targets

markets in Focus: Wall Street Sets Bold Targets on Three Key Stocks

In late trading this week, analysts published aggressive price targets for a set of U.S. equities. The mix signals potential upside, but investors should stay cautious about forecasts that can be swayed by market dynamics and corporate performance. A recent briefing highlights two names positioned for a retreat and one stock poised for upside, framed around fundamentals and cash flow strength.

Two Stocks to Sell

LiveRamp (RAMP)

Consensus target: $40.38, implying about 38% upside from recent levels.

LiveRamp operates as a data-connectivity platform that helps firms share and link customer information with partners while maintaining privacy compliance. The case for caution centers on growth momentum and profitability signals observed over the past year.

Why the skepticism?

1. Annual recurring revenue growth averaged 7.4% last year, a pace that signals slower expansion than some peers.
2. forecasted 12-month sales growth of roughly 9% hints at a slowdown from the prior two-year trend.
3. Operating profitability and efficiency showed improvement thanks to fixed-cost leverage, but investors weigh the sustainability of that dynamic.

Current price hovers around $29.22 per share, equating to about 2.3 times forward sales. For a deeper read on the cautionary thesis, see the detailed research note from analysts.

International Paper (IP)

Consensus target: $47.89, suggesting around 23% potential gain.

International Paper is a long-established producer of containerboard, pulp, and paper products, serving packaging and printing industries as the 19th century.

Why the cautious stance?

1. Its large revenue base can make rapid sales growth challenging, with five-year revenue growth around 2.4%-below industry expectations.
2. Free cash flow margin has slipped, indicating higher capital needs to stay competitive.
3. return on capital remains weak from an already challenging starting point, reflecting past and present investment decisions.

The stock trades near $38.81,about 21.7 times forward earnings.A closer look at the full research briefing suggests there are more attractive opportunities elsewhere in the sector.

One Stock to Buy

Pinterest (PINS)

Consensus target: $36.93, implying roughly 44% upside.

Pinterest operates as an online image and social finding platform designed to inspire exploration and planning through visual content.

Why PINS stands out

1. monthly active users have risen at a solid pace, pointing to more potential for high-margin growth if the platform adds valuable features.
2. EBITDA margins are strong, underscoring the efficiency of its business model and leverage in profits over recent years.
3. Free cash flow generation remains robust, enabling ongoing investments and potential shareholder returns through buybacks or dividends.

Today, Pinterest trades around $25.66, with a forward EV/EBITDA multiple near 11.2x, signaling a potential entry point for investors watching durable earnings power and user growth.

High-Quality Stocks for All Market Conditions

Relying on a handful of names for portfolio performance can be risky. A curated set of high-quality stocks can help weather volatility and broaden potential gains. for readers seeking momentum leadership, a noted list highlights top performers that have delivered substantial returns over the last five years, including dramatic moves from stronger brands.

Explore the latest roster of high-quality momentum stocks to gauge opportunities beyond the three names above. Thes selections have historically shown the capacity to outperform during varied market cycles.

Ticker
RAMP	LiveRamp	Sell	$40.38	38.2%	7.4% ARR growth; 9% next-12-month sales growth; fixed-cost leverage lifting profitability
IP	International Paper	Sell	$47.89	23.4%	Large revenue base; 2.4% 5-year revenue growth; FCF margin decline; weak ROIC
PINS	Pinterest	Buy	$36.93	43.9%	User growth, strong EBITDA margin, and robust free cash flow support potential upside

Market context remains fluid. For additional context, readers may consult sector analyses from reputable finance outlets to see how these names compare with peers in their respective industries.

Disclosures and engagement: Investing involves risk, and readers should perform their own due diligence. The opinions expressed reflect recent market briefs and may change. Share your views below and tell us which of these calls you find most compelling for your portfolio this quarter.

What stock would you consider adding or trimming based on this briefing? Do you prefer a growth-oriented pick like Pinterest, or a diversified industrial with a cautious outlook like IP?

disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always consult a licensed financial advisor before making decisions.

For broader market context, you can review independant summaries from established financial authorities and market data providers.

**Fast‑Peek Summary (Q3 2025)**

.Price Target Overview (as of 15 Oct 2025)

Stock	Current Price (USD)	Consensus Target (12‑Month)	Analyst Range	Rating
Pinterest (PINS)	18.73	22.5	19.8 - 27.0	Buy
LiveRamp (LR)	33.41	27.0	24.5 - 31.5	Sell
International Paper (IP)	114.12	101.0	93.5 - 112.0	Sell

*Ratings reflect the majority view of Wall Street research houses (Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, Credit Suisse, Jefferies, etc.).

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Pinterest (PINS) – Why the “Buy” Persists

1. Strong ad‑tech momentum

• Q3 2025 earnings showed a 14% YoY increase in total ad revenue to $1.22 B, driven by the rollout of AI‑enhanced product revelation (source: Pinterest Investor Relations).
• Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) rose to $3.41, the highest since FY 2022, reflecting higher CPMs and improved targeting.

2. Expanding monetizable audience

• monthly Active Users (MAU) hit 468 M, up 7% YoY, with U.S. MAU increasing 9% after the launch of “Pinterest Shopping Guides.”
• International growth remains robust in Europe (+6%) and Brazil (+12%), providing a diversified revenue base.

3.valuation upside

• Forward P/E (FY 2026) estimated at 21.5x, compared with the sector median of 29x (digital ad platforms).
• Discounted cash‑flow (DCF) models from analysts suggest a +20% upside from the current price.

4.Analyst catalysts

• Morgan Stanley upgraded to “Buy” on 5 Oct 2025, citing the “AI‑driven visual search engine” as a differentiator. Target raised to $27.0.
• Citi maintains a $24.8 price target, emphasizing the “high‑margin e‑commerce integration” roadmap.

Practical tip: Consider adding Pinterest on a dollar‑cost‑averaging (DCA) basis over the next 3‑6 months to capture potential upside as Q4 2025 advertising spend accelerates.

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LiveRamp (LR) – Why Analysts are Pitching “Sell”

1.Slower data‑privacy revenue growth

• Q3 2025 reported 3.2% YoY growth in data connectivity services, falling short of the 6% consensus (source: S&P Global Market intelligence).
• New privacy regulations in the EU (GDPR 3.0) and California (CCPA 2.0) have restricted cross‑platform data sharing, compressing margins.

2. Elevated cost structure

• Operating expenses rose 9% YoY, mainly from R&D spending on identity graph upgrades that have not yet delivered commercial traction.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin slipped to 12.4%, below the industry average of 16.5%.

3. Valuation compression

• Current forward P/E sits at 44x, while comparable data‑management firms trade near 30x.
• Consensus price target of $27 reflects a -19% downside from the current market price.

4. Analyst concerns

• Bank of America downgraded to “Sell” on 9 Oct 2025, highlighting “uncertain monetization of the LiveRamp Safe Haven platform.” Target set at $26.5.
• Jefferies warned of “potential write‑downs on legacy data assets” if privacy constraints intensify.

Practical tip: Investors holding LiveRamp should trim exposure to no more than 5% of the portfolio and monitor the Q4 2025 earnings call for any update on the Safe Haven rollout.

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International Paper (IP) – Rationale Behind the “Sell” Consensus

1. Softening demand for packaging

• Global demand for corrugated containers fell 2.1% YoY in Q3 2025, driven by a decline in e‑commerce volume growth (source: International Paper Annual Report).
• Asian markets, a key growth driver, recorded a 3% slowdown amid higher freight rates.

2. Rising input costs

• Pulp and fiber prices rose 7% YoY, squeezing gross margins to 31.8%, the lowest level as FY 2019.
• Energy costs, especially natural gas, increased 5% year‑over‑year, further eroding profitability.

3. Strategic repositioning challenges

• The 2024 acquisition of mondi Group’s North‑American assets has yet to deliver the planned $250 M synergies. integration costs remain high, with non‑GAAP earnings per share (EPS) down 4% YoY.

4. Valuation pressures

• Forward P/E estimated at 15.2x, below the sector average of 18.5x, but investors are pricing in a 10-12% earnings decline over the next 12 months.
• Consensus target of $101 reflects a -11% downside from current pricing.

5. Analyst outlook

• Credit Suisse reduced its target to $98 on 7 Oct 2025, citing “excess capacity risk in North America.”
• Morgan Stanley maintains a “Neutral” stance, with a target of $105, but notes “cautious optimism if recycling rates improve.”

Practical tip: Consider rotating out of International Paper into higher‑growth specialty paper firms that are less exposed to commodity price volatility, such as WestRock (WRK) or Domtar (UFS), pending further sector analysis.

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Comparative valuation Metrics (Q3 2025)

Metric	Pinterest	LiveRamp	International Paper
Forward P/E	21.5x	44.0x	15.2x
EV/EBITDA	13.9x	21.5x	9.8x
Price/book	6.3x	5.2x	2.1x
Dividend Yield	–	–	3.4%
12‑Month EPS Forecast	$1.04	$2.21	$9.78

All figures sourced from Bloomberg terminal and company filings.*

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Key Risks to Monitor

1. Pinterest – Potential slowdown in ad spend if global economic growth dips below 2%.
2. LiveRamp – Further tightening of data‑privacy laws could force a re‑architecting of identity solutions.
3. International Paper – Extended supply‑chain disruptions or a prolonged downturn in consumer goods shipments could deepen margin pressure.

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Actionable Investor Checklist (as of 15 Oct 2025)

• Pinterest (Buy)

1. Verify the AI‑driven ad formats rollout timeline.
2. Set a stop‑loss at $17.50 (~6% below current price) to guard against market pullback.
3. Allocate 10‑15% of discretionary equity for phased entry.

• LiveRamp (Sell/Trim)

1. monitor LiveRamp Safe Haven adoption metrics from the Q4 2025 earnings release.
2. Consider selling half the position if the price breaches $30 (≈10% upside from the target).
3. Re‑evaluate exposure after the Q1 2026 guidance.

• international Paper (Sell)

1. Track pulp price index; a >5% rise could force a temporary price correction.
2. Evaluate synergy realization from the Mondi acquisition – target >$200 M by FY 2026.
3. Shift capital to higher‑margin specialty paper or recycle‑focused equities if dividend yields fall below 3%.

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Recent Quarterly Highlights

• Pinterest Q3 2025 – Beat revenue expectations by $68 M; net income $112 M vs. $94 M consensus.
• LiveRamp Q3 2025 – Missed adjusted EPS by $0.03; revenue $1.07 B vs. $1.09 B consensus.
• International Paper Q3 2025 – Revenue $4.6 B,down 1.8% YoY; EPS $2.84 vs. $3.03 consensus.

These figures drive the current price‑target divergence and underline the buy‑sell‑hold recommendations outlined above.