INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

International Paper’s business segments, Industrial Packaging, Global Cellulose Fibers and Printing Papers, are consistent with the internal structure used to manage these businesses. All segments are differentiated on a common product, common customer basis consistent with the business segmentation generally used in the Forest Products industry.

Business segment operating profits are used by International Paper's management to measure the earnings performance of its businesses. Management believes that this measure allows a better understanding of trends in costs, operating efficiencies, prices and volumes. Business segment operating profits are defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings, but including the impact of equity earnings and noncontrolling interests, excluding interest expense, net, corporate expenses, net, corporate special items, net and non-operating pension expense.

Sales by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
In millions	2019		2018
Industrial Packaging	$	3,832	$	3,827
Global Cellulose Fibers	689		677
Printing Papers	1,065		1,053
Corporate and Intersegment Sales	57		64
Net Sales	$	5,643	$	5,621

Operating profit by business segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
In millions	2019			2018
Industrial Packaging	$	404		$	437
Global Cellulose Fibers	32			11
Printing Papers	143			64
Business Segment Operating Profits	579			512
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings	418			356
Interest expense, net	133			135
Noncontrolling interests/equity earnings adjustment	(3		)	(1		)
Corporate expenses, net	21			9
Corporate special items, net	—			9
Non-operating pension expense	10			4
Business Segment Operating Profits	$	579		$	512