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IBM (NYSE:IBM) Stock, Chaîne d'Options

IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.

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IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, 2024-10-23. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that IBM will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.22. 
IBM bulls will hope to hear the company announce they've not only beaten that estimate, but also to provide positive guidance, or forecasted growth, for the next quarter.
New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast).
<h3>Historical Earnings Performance</h3>
Last quarter the company beat EPS by $0.24, which was followed by a 4.33% increase in the share price the next day.
Here's a look at IBM's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
<th>Q4 2023</th>
<th>Q3 2023</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>2.19</td>
<td>1.60</td>
<td>3.78</td>
<td>2.01</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>2.43</td>
<td>1.68</td>
<td>3.87</td>
<td>2.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>4.0%</td>
<td>-8.0%</td>
<td>9.0%</td>
<td>5.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729605756_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Stock Performance</h3>
Shares of IBM were trading at $231.75 as of October 21. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 69.37%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analyst Views on IBM</h3>
For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding IBM.
The consensus rating for IBM is Buy, derived from 12 analyst ratings. An average one-year price target of $222.42 implies a potential 4.03% downside.
<h3>Comparing Ratings with Competitors</h3>
The below comparison of the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Accenture, Infosys and Gartner, three prominent players in the industry, gives insights for their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>The consensus outlook from analysts is an Outperform trajectory for Accenture, with an average 1-year price target of $380.19, indicating a potential 64.05% upside.</li>
<li>Infosys received a Neutral consensus from analysts, with an average 1-year price target of $25.0, implying a potential 89.21% downside.</li>
<li>Gartner is maintaining an Buy status according to analysts, with an average 1-year price target of $522.57, indicating a potential 125.49% upside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Overview of Peer Analysis</h3>
The peer analysis summary offers a detailed examination of key metrics for Accenture, Infosys and Gartner, providing valuable insights into their respective standings within the industry and their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>1.90%</td>
<td>$8.95B</td>
<td>7.76%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Accenture</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>2.63%</td>
<td>$5.34B</td>
<td>6.01%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Infosys</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>3.73%</td>
<td>$1.49B</td>
<td>7.49%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gartner</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>6.11%</td>
<td>$1.08B</td>
<td>33.64%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
IBM ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It is in the middle for Gross Profit. IBM is at the top for Return on Equity.
<h3>Discovering IBM: A Closer Look</h3>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
<h3>IBM's Economic Impact: An Analysis</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: With a profound presence, the company's market capitalization is above industry averages. This reflects substantial size and strong market recognition.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining IBM's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 1.9% as of 30 June, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Information Technology sector, the company excelled with a growth rate higher than the average among peers.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 11.63%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 7.76%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): IBM's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 1.35%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: IBM's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 2.49. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBM/earnings">To track all earnings releases for IBM visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

A Glimpse of IBM's Earnings Potential

<a href="https://www.ibm.com/products/guardium-data-security-center">IBM Guardium Data Security Center</a>&nbsp;provides unified, SaaS-first data security capabilities amid hybrid cloud, AI, and quantum transformation
New software part of IBM's comprehensive approach for protecting hybrid cloud and AI
ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As hybrid cloud-, AI-, and quantum-related risks upend the traditional data security paradigm, IBM (NYSE:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ibm.com/investor">IBM</a>) is launching <a href="https://www.ibm.com/products/guardium-data-security-center">IBM Guardium Data Security Center</a>&nbsp;– allowing organizations to protect data in any environment, throughout its full lifecycle, and with unified controls.

IBM Guardium Data Security Center Provides Unified, SaaS-First Data Security Capabilities Amid Hybrid Cloud, AI, And Quantum Transformation

Goldman Sachs has issued a stark warning for U.S. equity investors, predicting significantly lower returns for the S&amp;P 500 over the next decade due to historically high <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/magnificent-7">levels of market concentration. </a>
The firm's analysts, including David J. Kostin and Ben Snider, highlight that the current concentration in the U.S. stock market is the highest it has been in the past century, which they believe could weigh heavily on long-term index returns.
Market concentration currently ranks &#8220;near the highest level in 100 years,&#8221; analysts warned, adding that their &#8220;S&amp;P 500 baseline 10-year return forecast is lower than the estimates of other market participants.&#8221;&nbsp;
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Long-Term Return Forecast: Only 3% Annually Over the Next Decade</h3>
Goldman Sachs forecasts that the S&amp;P 500 will deliver an annualized nominal total return of just 3% over the next 10 years—placing it in the 7th percentile of historical returns since 1930. Adjusting for inflation, the real return is expected to be around 1%. 
This projection stands in stark contrast to the past decade, where the S&amp;P 500 delivered a robust 13% annualized total return, placing it in the 58th historical percentile.
&#8220;The current extremely high level of market concentration is one of the main drags on our return forecast,&#8221; analysts wrote in their report.
If the current high level of market concentration were excluded from the model, the firm&#8217;s baseline forecast would improve by 4 percentage points, yielding a 10-year return estimate of 7%, which would rank in the 22nd historical percentile.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Impact of Market Concentration on Returns</h3>
The extreme market concentration—driven by a handful of mega-cap companies like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Microsoft Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NYSE">MSFT</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)—means that the performance of the S&amp;P 500 is increasingly dependent on the fortunes of a small number of firms. 
&#8220;When equity market concentration is high, the performance of the aggregate index is strongly dictated by the prospects of a few stocks,&#8221; Goldman Sachs explained.
Historically, it has been challenging for any firm to sustain high levels of sales growth and profitability over long periods. As growth decelerates for these market leaders, overall earnings growth for the index tends to slow down, pulling down returns.
Another major risk is government regulation, which has previously caused growth slowdowns for dominant firms.
Goldman Sachs highlighted historical examples where regulation led to a decline in market dominance:
<ul>
<li>International Business Machine Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>): In 1969, IBM faced a government lawsuit that weighed on its valuations. Though the lawsuit was dropped in 1982, the company's growth slowed afterward.</li>
<li>AT&amp;T (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/T#NYSE">T</a>): The telecom giant faced a breakup order in 1982 following a lawsuit filed in 1974, which led to slower growth. However, AT&amp;T's valuations initially rose after the breakup.</li>
<li>Microsoft: In 1998, Microsoft faced antitrust lawsuits that led to a settlement in 2000. The tech giant's growth and valuations suffered for a significant portion of the following decade.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Equal-Weighted S&amp;P 500 Index May Outperform, Bonds To Pose A Growing Appeal</h3>
Given the risks of high market concentration, Goldman Sachs anticipates that the S&amp;P 500 equal-weighted index, which gives each stock the same weight regardless of size and is tracked by the Invesco S&amp;P 500 Equal Weighted ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RSP#NYSE">RSP</a>), could outperform the traditional market cap-weighted index (where larger companies have more weight) over the next decade. 
They estimate the equal-weighted index could surpass the cap-weighted index by an annualized margin of 200 to 800 basis points (2-8%).
Adding to the challenges facing the S&amp;P 500, Goldman Sachs predicts that stocks will face increasing competition from bonds in the years ahead. 
With the current 10-year U.S. Treasury yield around 4% and inflation expectations of 2.2% over the next decade, Goldman Sachs estimates that the S&amp;P 500 has a 72% probability of underperforming bonds over the next 10 years.
Furthermore, the analysts give the S&amp;P 500 a 33% chance of underperforming inflation during this period.
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Goldman Sachs Predicts Bleak Long-Term S&P 500 Returns As Market Concentration Hits 'Highest Level In 100 Years'

Jefferies analyst Brent Thill maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $200 to $245.

Price Target

Jefferies Maintains Hold on IBM, Raises Price Target to $245

International Business Machines Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) showcased its latest <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/24/10/n41420523/ibm-introduces-granite-3-0-high-performing-ai-models-built-for-business" rel="noreferrer noopener">advancement in artificial intelligence</a> with the release of Granite 3.0, the company&#8217;s most sophisticated family of AI models. The announcement was made during IBM&#8217;s annual TechXchange event.
The Granite 3.0 models address the growing demand for AI transparency, safety, and performance, particularly in enterprise settings.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41407196/openais-for-profit-structure-adds-valuation-complexity-to-microsoft-and-other-equity-investors-repor" rel="noreferrer noopener">OpenAI&#8217;s For Profit Structure Adds Valuation Complexity to Microsoft And Other Equity Investors: Report</a>
Available under the open-source Apache 2.0 license, Granite 3.0 aims to provide flexible AI solutions for businesses seeking cutting-edge performance with greater control and adaptability.
Open Source Initiative (OSI) called out Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41388451/metas-ai-open-source-claims-draw-criticism-osi-pushes-for-transparency" rel="noreferrer noopener">labeling its AI models</a> as &#8220;open-source.&#8221; OSI head Stefano Maffulli reportedly accused Meta of misleading users about open-source technology, raising concerns about the company&#8217;s claims. Meanwhile, Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg has been a vocal supporter of open-source and criticized closed-source AI platforms, including ChatGPT parent OpenAI, for stifling creative freedom and development.
IBM&#8217;s Granite 3.0 series includes diverse models designed for various enterprise tasks.
The Granite 3.0 models, which support more than 12 natural and 116 programming languages, were developed using an innovative two-stage training method.
IBM continues emphasizing responsible AI development by introducing Granite Guardian 3.0, a family of models focused on safety and risk detection.
IBM aims to further support enterprise AI initiatives by integrating these models into various platforms, such as Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) NIM microservices and Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>) Google Cloud&#8217;s Vertex AI Model Garden.
Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) recently introduced an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/10/41139084/nvidia-expands-ai-offerings-with-new-open-source-models-and-unreal-engine-5-plugins" rel="noreferrer noopener">open-source AI</a> model. The NVLM 1.0 model offers advanced capabilities for vision and language tasks, enhancing the company&#8217;s AI toolkit for developers.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/10/41420779/dan-ives-acknowledges-nvidia-microsoft-as-core-drivers-of-ai-but-sees-palantir-ibm-amd-and-apple" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlighted IBM&#8217;s potential</a> driven by the AI boom, predicting that ongoing momentum, increasing enterprise spending, and a rebound in digital advertising will drive tech stocks upward by year-end.
IBM stock gained over 70% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through Vanguard Div Appreciation ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VIG#NYSE">VIG</a>) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VYM#NYSE">VYM</a>).
Price Action: IBM stock closed lower by 0.29% at $232.20 on Friday.
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IBM Expands Open-Source AI with Granite 3.0, Empowering Enterprise Flexibility

<ul>
<li>New Granite 3.0&nbsp;8B&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;2B&nbsp;models, released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license, show strong performance across many academic and enterprise benchmarks, able to outperform or match similar-sized models</li>
<li>New Granite Guardian 3.0 models deliver IBM&#39;s most comprehensive guardrail capabilities to advance safe and trustworthy AI</li>
<li>New Granite 3.0 Mixture-of-Experts models enable extremely efficient inference and low latency, suitable for CPU-based deployments and edge computing</li>
<li>New Granite Time Series model achieved state-of-the-art performance in zero/few-shot forecasting, outperforming models&nbsp;10 times larger</li>
<li>IBM unveils next generation of Granite-powered watsonx Code Assistant for general purpose coding; Debuts new tools in watsonx.ai for building and deploying AI applications and agents</li>
<li>Announces Granite will become the default model of Consulting Advantage, an AI-powered delivery platform used by IBM&#39;s 160,000 consultants to bring new solutions to clients faster</li>
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IBM Releases Granite 3.0 AI Models, Featuring Strong Performance, Trustworthy AI, and Low-Latency Capabilities

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives forecasts a &#8220;robust&#8221; third-quarter earnings season for technology companies, citing artificial intelligence adoption, improved enterprise spending, and rebounding <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41280243/q3-earnings-preview-analyst-predicts-tech-will-triumph-while-energy-will-struggle">digital advertising as key growth drivers</a>.
What Happened: In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ives highlighted an expanding roster of companies beyond traditional AI leaders that are now capitalizing on the technology revolution.
While NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>) are &#8220;the core drivers of AI, now we are seeing many other tech stalwarts join the AI Party,&#8221; Ives wrote, listing Oracle Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORCL#NYSE">ORCL</a>), SAP SE (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAP#NYSE">SAP</a>), ServiceNow Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NOW#NYSE">NOW</a>), Palantir Technologies Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>), Salesforce Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>), Dell Technologies Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DELL#NYSE">DELL</a>), IBM Common Stock (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>), Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>) among the companies making significant moves in artificial intelligence.
The analyst expressed optimism about the technology sector&#8217;s near-term prospects, stating, &#8220;We believe the next phase of the AI Revolution has begun.&#8221; He expects this momentum, combined with strengthening enterprise spending and a recovery in digital advertising, to push technology stocks higher through the end of the year.
This expanding AI landscape indicates a broader range of investment opportunities beyond the few companies that initially dominated the AI narrative earlier in the year, according to Ives.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">While Nvidia and Microsoft are the core drivers of AI, now we are seeing many other tech stalwarts join the AI Party including Oracle, SAP, ServiceNow, Palantir, Salesforce, Dell, IBM, Apple, and AMD among others &#x1f525;&#x1f3c6;&#x1f402;&#x1f37f; <a href="https://t.co/kfpqGZYmYu">https://t.co/kfpqGZYmYu</a>
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1848061647484760323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
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Why It Matters: The anticipation of a strong third quarter for tech firms aligns with recent trends in the industry. Nvidia remains a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41410262/ai-creates-generational-opportunity-why-nvidia-analyst-says-stock-will-hit-190">top pick within the AI sector</a>, with analysts labeling it a &#8220;generational opportunity&#8221; due to its dominant market position in AI chips. 
This sentiment is echoed by Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd.&#8216;s (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) recent earnings, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/10/41373163/nvidia-supplier-tsmc-reports-q3-revenue-earnings-beat-amid-rising-demand-for-ai-chips">exceeded expectations due to strong demand</a> for AI chips, further supporting the bullish outlook for tech companies.
Additionally, the third quarter earnings preview suggests that the tech sector is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41280243/q3-earnings-preview-analyst-predicts-tech-will-triumph-while-energy-will-struggle">poised to outperform</a>, while other sectors like energy may face challenges. 
This optimism is further supported by increased ad spending, as seen with Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>), where analysts have raised price targets ahead of its earnings report, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/10/41390020/analysts-lift-price-targets-on-meta-platforms-stock-ahead-of-q3-earnings-heres-why">driven by strong ad spending</a>.
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This story was generated using <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/benzinga-neuro">Benzinga Neuro</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/Kaustubh-Bagalkote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaustubh Bagalkote</a>

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Dan Ives Acknowledges Nvidia, Microsoft As 'Core Drivers Of AI' But Sees Palantir, IBM, AMD And Apple Joining The Party As Well — Robust Q3 Earnings Expected

Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $182 to $217.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on IBM, Raises Price Target to $217

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 10 analysts have published ratings on IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) in the last three months.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets assessed by analysts reveal further insights, featuring an average target of $220.7, a high estimate of $250.00, and a low estimate of $145.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $196.00, the current average has increased by 12.6%.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729101663_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
The perception of IBM by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>David Grossman</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$246.00</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Swanson</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$211.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wamsi Mohan</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$209.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Schneider</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amit Daryanani</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Vogt</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Swanson</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$211.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brent Thill</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keith Bachman</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Grossman</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to IBM. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of IBM compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts navigate through adjustments in price targets, providing estimates for IBM's future value. Comparing current and prior targets offers insights into analysts' evolving expectations.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of IBM's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on IBM analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering IBM: A Closer Look</h2>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
<h3>Key Indicators: IBM's Financial Health</h3>
Market Capitalization: Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.
Revenue Growth: IBM displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 1.9%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Information Technology sector.
Net Margin: IBM's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 11.63%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): IBM's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 7.76% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): IBM's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.35%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: IBM's debt-to-equity ratio stands notably higher than the industry average, reaching 2.49. This indicates a heavier reliance on borrowed funds, raising concerns about financial leverage.
<h2>Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

10 Analysts Have This To Say About IBM

Stifel analyst David Grossman maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $205 to $246.

Stifel Maintains Buy on IBM, Raises Price Target to $246

In the current session, the stock is trading at $236.83, after a 0.67% increase. Over the past month, IBM Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) stock increased by 10.60%, and in the past year, by 69.20%. With performance like this, long-term shareholders are optimistic but others are more likely to look into the price-to-earnings ratio to see if the stock might be overvalued.

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729003510_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>A Look at IBM P/E Relative to Its Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 59.33 in the IT Services industry, IBM Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 25.97. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1729003510_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In conclusion, the price-to-earnings ratio is a useful metric for analyzing a company's market performance, but it has its limitations. While a lower P/E can indicate that a company is undervalued, it can also suggest that shareholders do not expect future growth. Additionally, the P/E ratio should not be used in isolation, as other factors such as industry trends and business cycles can also impact a company's stock price. Therefore, investors should use the P/E ratio in conjunction with other financial metrics and qualitative analysis to make informed investment decisions.

Intraday Update

A Look Into IBM Inc's Price Over Earnings

RBC Capital analyst Matthew Swanson maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $211 to $250.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on IBM, Raises Price Target to $250

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on IBM.
Looking at options history for IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 50% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 37% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $282,080 and 3, calls, for a total amount of $112,981.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $110.0 to $240.0 for IBM over the last 3 months. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for IBM's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of IBM's whale trades within a strike price range from $110.0 to $240.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>IBM Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728568001_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$11.45</td>
<td>$12.3</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$123.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">14</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">100</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$2.97</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$2.71</td>
<td>$235.00</td>
<td>$54.0K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">691</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">308</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$14.1</td>
<td>$13.5</td>
<td>$13.95</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$50.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">85</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">93</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$91.9</td>
<td>$87.15</td>
<td>$89.52</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$44.7K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$127.85</td>
<td>$124.05</td>
<td>$125.57</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$37.6K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">166</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About IBM</h3>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
Having examined the options trading patterns of IBM, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>IBM's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 169,740, the price of IBM is up 0.14% at $234.62. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 13 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On IBM</h3>
Over the past month, 3 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $246.66666666666666.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from B of A Securities persists with their Buy rating on IBM, maintaining a target price of $250. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs persists with their Buy rating on IBM, maintaining a target price of $250. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for IBM, targeting a price of $240. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for IBM, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Behind the Scenes of IBM's Latest Options Trends

WIIM

IBM shares are trading higher after B of A Securities maintained a Buy rating on the stock and raised its price target from $209 to $250.

B of A Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $209 to $250.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on IBM, Raises Price Target to $250

Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on IBM. Our analysis of options history for IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) revealed 62 unusual trades.
Delving into the details, we found 59% of traders were bullish, while 33% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 12 were puts, with a value of $450,241, and 50 were calls, valued at $4,398,612.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $110.0 to $280.0 for IBM over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in IBM's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to IBM's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $110.0 to $280.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>IBM Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1728332142_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Open Interest</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$120.5</td>
<td>$116.65</td>
<td>$117.9</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$1.0M</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">110</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">107</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$114.5</td>
<td>$110.5</td>
<td>$112.7</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$969.2K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$50.0</td>
<td>$49.9</td>
<td>$50.0</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$229.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">305</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">354</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$120.15</td>
<td>$115.85</td>
<td>$117.96</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$212.3K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">110</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/15/27</td>
<td>$114.15</td>
<td>$112.75</td>
<td>$112.75</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$202.9K</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">106</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About IBM</h3>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
In light of the recent options history for IBM, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance.
<h3>Where Is IBM Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 3,346,014, the price of IBM is up by 0.5%, reaching $227.12.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 16 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on IBM</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $245.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group keeps a Outperform rating on IBM with a target price of $240. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Goldman Sachs continues to hold a Buy rating for IBM, targeting a price of $250. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest IBM options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

A Closer Look at IBM's Options Market Dynamics

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with IBM, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 28 uncommon options trades for IBM.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 32% bullish and 57%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 8 are puts, for a total amount of $2,066,019, and 20 are calls, for a total amount of $2,117,905.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $145.0 to $280.0 for IBM over the recent three months. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for IBM's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of IBM's whale trades within a strike price range from $145.0 to $280.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>IBM Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727806579_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Noteworthy Options Activity:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$12.55</td>
<td>$12.35</td>
<td>$12.5</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
<td>$1.2M</td>
<td>634</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$2.45</td>
<td>$2.41</td>
<td>$2.45</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$498.8K</td>
<td>48.8K</td>
<td>5.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>10/18/24</td>
<td>$54.0</td>
<td>$51.75</td>
<td>$52.55</td>
<td>$165.00</td>
<td>$496.3K</td>
<td>250</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$1.35</td>
<td>$1.34</td>
<td>$1.35</td>
<td>$280.00</td>
<td>$253.9K</td>
<td>5.6K</td>
<td>5.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IBM</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>11/15/24</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.05</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$176.7K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td>932</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About IBM</h3>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
<h3>Present Market Standing of IBM</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a volume of 1,638,527, the price of IBM is down -0.71% at $219.5. </li>
<li>RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings are expected to be released in 22 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About IBM</h3>
3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $211.66666666666666.
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&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Evercore ISI Group continues to hold a Outperform rating for IBM, targeting a price of $240. 
&#x2A; An analyst from UBS has decided to maintain their Sell rating on IBM, which currently sits at a price target of $145. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Goldman Sachs persists with their Buy rating on IBM, maintaining a target price of $250. 
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Decoding IBM's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?

IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) underwent analysis by 7 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated IBM and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $208.71, accompanied by a high estimate of $250.00 and a low estimate of $145.00. This current average has increased by 9.44% from the previous average price target of $190.71. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727719231_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Analyzing Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Breakdown</h2>
The perception of IBM by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>James Schneider</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$250.00</td>
<td>$220.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amit Daryanani</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$240.00</td>
<td>$215.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Vogt</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Sell</td>
<td>$145.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Matthew Swanson</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$211.00</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brent Thill</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$200.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Keith Bachman</td>
<td>BMO Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$210.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>David Grossman</td>
<td>Stifel</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$205.00</td>
<td>$190.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to IBM. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of IBM compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of IBM's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into IBM's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/IBM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on IBM analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Discovering IBM: A Closer Look</h2>
IBM looks to be a part of every aspect of an enterprise's IT needs. The company primarily sells software, IT services, consulting, and hardware. IBM operates in 175 countries and employs approximately 350,000 people. The company has a robust roster of 80,000 business partners to service 5,200 clients, which includes 95% of all Fortune 500. While IBM is a B2B company, IBM's outward impact is substantial. For example, IBM manages 90% of all credit card transactions globally and is responsible for 50% of all wireless connections in the world.
<h3>A Deep Dive into IBM's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position.
Revenue Growth: IBM displayed positive results in 3 months. As of 30 June, 2024, the company achieved a solid revenue growth rate of approximately 1.9%. This indicates a notable increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Information Technology sector.
Net Margin: IBM's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 11.63%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): IBM's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 7.76%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 1.35%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: IBM's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 2.49. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Assessing IBM: Insights From 7 Financial Analysts

Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider maintains IBM (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBM#NYSE">IBM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $220 to $250.

Goldman Sachs Maintains Buy on IBM, Raises Price Target to $250

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