Safety-conscious tech

Article Excerpt

IBM $178.83 (New York symbol IBM; Shares outstanding: 1.3 billion; Market cap: $212.6 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.7%) is the only technology stock we include in our CWA Safety-Conscious Stock Portfolio. Here’s why: In the past few years, the company has shifted its focus, from making computers to designing computer systems and managing them for clients. As a result, it now gets 55% of its revenue and 40% of its earnings from computer services. Steady, recurring revenues give IBM both stability and growth potential as the uncertain economy prompts more businesses to automate their operations instead of hiring new workers. The company holds cash of $11.8 billion, or $9.76 a share. Its long-term debt of $21.9 billion is a low 10.3% of its market cap. That gives it the flexibility to keep buying tech firms that add to its lineup of services and software. As well, IBM’s high research spending of $1.4 billion (or 6.1% of its revenue, based on the…