Herbst Group LLC Boosts Holdings in International Business Machines Corporation $IBM

Herbst Group LLC lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) by 108.5% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 11,195 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,825 shares during the quarter. International Business Machines comprises about 2.0% of Herbst Group LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Herbst Group LLC’s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $3,316,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. acquired a new position in International Business Machines in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. SWAN Capital LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 129.1% during the third quarter. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC now owns 126 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. American Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the third quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Davis Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the third quarter worth about $54,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

International Business Machines Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of International Business Machines stock opened at $243.69 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $262.05 and a 200 day moving average price of $284.16. International Business Machines Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $214.50 and a fifty-two week high of $324.90. The firm has a market cap of $228.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The technology company reported $4.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.33 by $0.19. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.15% and a net margin of 15.69%.The company had revenue of $19.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.92 EPS. International Business Machines’s quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th were issued a $1.68 dividend. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 10th. International Business Machines’s payout ratio is currently 60.27%.

International Business Machines News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: FedRAMP authorizations clear 11 IBM AI/automation solutions (including watsonx) for U.S. federal use, easing procurement and opening a sizeable government revenue channel; authorizations were enabled via IBM’s strategic collaboration with AWS. IBM Expands FedRAMP Portfolio with Authorization of 11 Software Solutions, Including watsonx
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction: coverage notes the FedRAMP approvals as an immediate catalyst for IBM shares, helping lift sentiment toward its AI software portfolio. IBM Stock Rises after Getting Government Approval for Its AI and Automation Tools
• Positive Sentiment: Long?term R&D boost: IBM and ETH Zurich launched a 10?year collaboration to develop next?gen AI+quantum algorithms — strengthens IBM’s technology leadership, talent pipeline and positioning in a high?growth, strategic area. This is a multi?year value driver rather than immediate revenue. IBM and ETH Zurich join forces to shape the future of algorithms for the AI and quantum era
• Positive Sentiment: Quantum progress: analyst pieces highlight IBM advances in quantum computing research (quantum?AI algorithms and hardware roadmaps) that support a longer?term growth narrative in frontier computing. IBM Advances Quantum Computing Research: Will it Boost Prospects?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/opinion tone: commentary (Seeking Alpha, Zacks) argues the recent pullback is an investment opportunity and flags IBM as a pick in AI/quantum themes — useful for momentum investors but mainly opinion?driven. IBM: The Market Is Overreacting And This Retracement Is Creating An Opportunity
• Neutral Sentiment: Business mix: IBM Consulting shows signs of rebound with AI demand, but analysts caution durability given macro competition — a modest positive for revenue but not guaranteed to sustain margins. IBM Consulting Rebounds Slightly: Is AI Enough to Fuel Durable Growth?
• Negative Sentiment: Relative performance: several reports note IBM has risen recently but continues to underperform the broader market and remains below its recent moving?average levels — a headwind for momentum investors and a reason some funds may still be cautious. International Business Machines Corp. stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms market

Insider Buying and Selling at International Business Machines

In other International Business Machines news, Director David N. Farr bought 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, January 30th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $304.00 per share, for a total transaction of $304,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 9,258 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,814,432. This trade represents a 12.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Michael Miebach bought 434 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $233.33 per share, for a total transaction of $101,265.22. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $101,265.22. This trade represents a ? increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have acquired 1,484 shares of company stock valued at $417,157. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on IBM shares. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on International Business Machines from $304.00 to $247.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. UBS Group upgraded International Business Machines from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $236.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Dbs Bank raised shares of International Business Machines from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $314.60.

International Business Machines Company Profile

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.