IBM’s next transformation

Article Excerpt

IBM has a long history of drifting in and out of investor favour, mainly due to fear that new technologies will put it out of business. However, IBM also has long history of shifting out of slowing businesses into faster-growing fields. For example, as computer prices fell in the 1990s, IBM expanded its more-profitable software and consulting operations. The company later unloaded its struggling personal computer operations, and is now selling its low-end server business. It will invest the proceeds in areas with better long-term potential, such as cloud computing and analytics software. In addition, IBM’s well-known brand and global salesforce continue to give it a big advantage, particularly in developing countries. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $194 (New York symbol IBM, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.0 billion; Market cap: $194.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.1; Dividend yield: 2.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.ibm.com) started up in 1911 making machines that processed U.S. census data, as well…