IBM gains along with AI

Article Excerpt

IBM, $251.35, is a #1 Buy for 2025. The company (New York symbol IBM; Shares outstanding: 927.3 million; Market cap: $233.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 2.7%; www.ibm.com) is one of the world’s largest computer firms, with operations in over 175 countries. IBM reported better-than-expected results for its latest quarter. That’s mainly due to strong demand for its artificial intelligence (AI)-related software and consulting services. In the three months ended December 31, 2024, revenue rose 1.0%, to $17.55 billion from $17.38 billion a year earlier. If you exclude exchange rates, the company’s revenue in the quarter rose 2%. Earnings per-share rose 1.3%, to $3.92 from $3.87. IBM now expects this year’s earnings to rise about 4% to $10.75 a share, and the stock trades at 23.4 times that estimate. That’s a reasonable multiple in light of the company’s high research costs (12% of revenue) and its AI expertise. The $6.68 dividend yields 2.7%. IBM is a #1 Buy for 2025. 2025…