International Business Machines Corporation $IBM Holdings Increased by Welch & Forbes LLC

Welch & Forbes LLC raised its stake in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) by 3.7% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 72,271 shares of the technology company’s stock after buying an additional 2,605 shares during the quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC’s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $15,895,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assetmark Inc. lifted its position in International Business Machines by 24.8% during the first quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 64,458 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $15,624,000 after buying an additional 12,791 shares during the period. Flputnam Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter valued at $15,237,000. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in shares of International Business Machines by 939.4% in the 2nd quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. now owns 30,495 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $8,575,000 after buying an additional 27,561 shares during the period. St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of International Business Machines by 34.6% in the 2nd quarter. St. Louis Financial Planners Asset Management LLC now owns 14,234 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $4,121,000 after buying an additional 3,659 shares during the period. Finally, Evercore Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of International Business Machines by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Evercore Wealth Management LLC now owns 62,801 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $15,222,000 after buying an additional 5,196 shares during the period. 58.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Business Machines Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:IBM opened at $246.32 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $236.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $248.39. International Business Machines Corporation has a 12-month low of $199.19 and a 12-month high of $332.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $232.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.00, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.78.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 21st. The technology company reported $2.95 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.85 by $0.10. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 34.37% and a net margin of 15.99%. The firm had revenue of $17.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.65 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.41 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 10th will be given a $1.69 dividend. This represents a $6.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 10th. International Business Machines’s payout ratio is currently 57.63%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

IBM has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of International Business Machines from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $236.00 to $243.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $245.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. Yorkville Ives began coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Monday, October 5th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $275.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $270.00 target price on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Thursday, October 22nd. Nineteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $266.88.

Insider Transactions at International Business Machines

In related news, SVP Robert Thomas sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.32, for a total value of $5,758,000.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 47,800 shares in the company, valued at $11,009,296. The trade was a 34.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Trending Headlines about International Business Machines

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

• Positive Sentiment: IBM deployed its first quantum computer in Illinois, at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. The installation builds research and industry partnerships and is part of a state initiative expected to create 750 technology jobs. It strengthens IBM’s quantum-computing presence, though commercial returns may take time. Can IBM’s Latest Quantum System Boost Illinois’ Innovation Future?
• Positive Sentiment: IBM-owned Apptio added connections and cost-management tools to help businesses track AI usage and spending, forecast budgets, and assess investments against business results. The update could help IBM capture demand as enterprises seek to manage the cost of adopting AI. Apptio Expands Portfolio to Help Enterprises Connect AI Spending to Business Value
• Positive Sentiment: Quantum X Labs said its AI-powered error-correction program is running on three IBM quantum processors and showed up to 20% fewer logical decoding failures. This offers a potential third-party validation of IBM hardware, although the announcement comes from Quantum X Labs rather than IBM. Quantum X Labs Expands AI-Powered Quantum Error Correction Program
• Neutral Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha analysis sees IBM’s enterprise AI portfolio and software growth as strengths, but rates the shares Hold, citing competition and a valuation it considers fair. That view suggests limited near-term upside based on its $249 price target. IBM: A Full Enterprise AI Stack, But Rivals Keep It A Hold
• Negative Sentiment: The European Union is suing IBM and partners Atos and Leonardo over repeated delays in developing the bloc’s Entry/Exit border system. The case raises potential legal costs and could weigh on IBM’s reputation and government-contract execution; the reports do not specify the financial exposure. EU sues IBM and partners over troubled border system

About International Business Machines

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology company that provides software, consulting, infrastructure and related services to businesses and public-sector organizations. Its offerings include hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence solutions, enterprise software, IT consulting, and systems such as IBM Z mainframes and Power servers.

IBM also develops technologies in areas including data management, automation, cybersecurity and quantum computing. Its consulting teams help clients design, build and manage technology systems and business processes.

The company traces its roots to the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company, formed in 1911, and adopted the name International Business Machines in 1924.