Principle Wealth Partners LLC Acquires New Position in International Business Machines Corporation $IBM

Principle Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 58,883 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $16,558,000. International Business Machines comprises about 0.8% of Principle Wealth Partners LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Orca Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Orca Wealth Management LLC now owns 975 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $285,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Friday Financial increased its holdings in International Business Machines by 1.9% in the second quarter. Friday Financial now owns 1,903 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $583,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. increased its holdings in International Business Machines by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 3,459 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $1,025,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Washington Trust Bank lifted its stake in International Business Machines by 2.2% in the fourth quarter. Washington Trust Bank now owns 1,712 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $507,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the period. Finally, HORAN Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in International Business Machines by 1.3% during the fourth quarter. HORAN Wealth LLC now owns 2,851 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $844,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.96% of the company’s stock.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

NYSE IBM opened at $231.43 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $218.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $242.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $247.41. International Business Machines Corporation has a 1 year low of $199.19 and a 1 year high of $332.46.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $2.93. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.52% and a return on equity of 35.65%. The company had revenue of $17.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.46 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.80 EPS. International Business Machines’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.33 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 10th will be paid a $1.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 10th. This represents a $6.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. International Business Machines’s dividend payout ratio is currently 59.98%.

International Business Machines News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: IBM Ventures expands quantum-computing exposure: IBM Ventures invested in BQP, a physics-acceleration company whose bookings have reportedly increased eightfold. The investment supports IBM’s positioning in quantum and advanced-computing infrastructure, although the deal is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. IBM Ventures backs BQP
• Positive Sentiment: AI and quantum themes continue to support the investment case: Analysts highlighted IBM among large technology companies that could benefit from quantum-computing adoption through cloud, software and infrastructure offerings. Retail-investor coverage also identified IBM as a favored long-term AI stock, particularly because of its enterprise focus and hybrid-cloud capabilities. Quantum boom investment ideas
• Neutral Sentiment: Dividend remains a key attraction: IBM is highlighted as a major technology dividend payer, with a quarterly distribution of $1.69 per share. The income profile may appeal to defensive investors, though dividend comparisons alone do not resolve concerns about valuation or growth. Cisco versus IBM dividend comparison
• Neutral Sentiment: IBM is promoting responsible AI adoption: A new study found that AI adoption in U.S. K-12 schools is outpacing institutional readiness, prompting IBM to launch a fellowship for education leaders. The initiative may strengthen IBM’s brand and future relationships but has limited immediate financial impact. IBM K-12 AI study
• Negative Sentiment: Securities-fraud investigation adds headline risk: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld said it is investigating whether IBM made potentially misleading statements about the pace of business deals. The announcement is an allegation, not a finding of wrongdoing, but it could increase legal uncertainty and investor caution. IBM securities investigation
• Negative Sentiment: Broader concerns remain over IBM’s growth outlook: Recent analysis cited AI-driven disruption to legacy services, pricing pressure and reduced estimates as reasons for IBM’s year-to-date weakness, despite support from hybrid cloud and watsonx. Technical coverage also identified resistance near $239, suggesting limited upside until momentum improves. IBM stock outlook

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Robert David Thomas sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.32, for a total value of $5,758,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 47,800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,009,296. This trade represents a 34.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently issued reports on IBM. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on International Business Machines in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. They set a “neutral” rating and a $230.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on International Business Machines from $320.00 to $260.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $270.00 target price on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on International Business Machines in a report on Wednesday, June 3rd. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Piper Sandler raised International Business Machines to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $265.90.

About International Business Machines

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBM’s principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.