** Packaging company International Paper's IP.N shares up 2% at $52.39

** Brokerage Citigroup resumes coverage with "buy" rating and PT of $60

** Expects significant earnings improvement potential from DS Smith acquisition and cost-saving measures

** "Earnings can ramp quickly from '26 as IP moves closer to its $2B medium-term cost savings target and drives further synergy realization with DS Smith" - brokerage

** Views March 25 investor day as a catalyst and expects co to raise its target in terms of cost savings and additional revenue from its acquisition of DS Smith

** IP stock has risen 5.8% YTD including session's moves

(Reporting by Aamir Sohail in Bengaluru)

((Aamir.Sohail@thomsonreuters.com;))