MEMPHIS (News release) -- International Paper announced its board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $2.0 billion of the company's common stock. The new authorization is in addition to $430 million remaining as of the end of the third quarter from a previous repurchase program. During the third quarter the company repurchased approximately $200 million in common stock at an average price of $52.03 per share. The company intends to continue repurchasing such shares in open market transactions. The company's board of directors also raised the quarterly common stock dividend by $0.025 per share or 5.3%, which brings the per share dividend to $2.00 annually.

The dividend is being increased 5.3% from $0.475 to $0.50 per share for the period from October 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive, on the company's common stock, par value $1.00. This dividend is payable on December 14, 2018, to holders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2018. The company's board of directors also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share for the period from October 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018, inclusive, on the cumulative $4.00 preferred stock of the company. This dividend is also payable on December 14, 2018, to holders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2018.