IBM is a safety-conscious tech buy

Article Excerpt

Unlike many technology companies, IBM is consistently profitable—its high, sustainable dividend also helps support its stock price. Meanwhile, in response to slowing demand for its traditional mainframe computers and consulting services, the company has shifted its focus to the faster-growing field of cloud computing. IBM, $123.45, is still a buy. The company (New York symbol IBM; Shares outstanding: 908.0 million; Market cap: $113.7 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 5.4%) is one of the world’s largest computer companies, with operations in over 175 countries. In the past few years, IBM has shifted its focus to its more-profitable cloud computing, consulting and mainframe businesses. It now gets over 75% of its revenue from its software and consulting. In the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue rose 0.4%, to $14.25 billion from $14.20 billion a year earlier. If you exclude exchange rates, revenue in the quarter rose at a faster rate of 4.4%. However, earnings excluding one-time items slipped 1.7%, to $1.25 billion from $1.27 billion. Due…