Investors will benefit from IBM’s cloud focus

Article Excerpt

In response to slowing demand for its traditional mainframe computers and consulting services, IBM is now shifting it focus to the faster-growing field of cloud computing (where users go online to access software and data stored on remote servers). That plan took a big leap forward with the company’s purchase of cloud software giant Red Hat. The coming spinoff of IBM’s legacy operations will complete its transformation, and unlock big value for investors. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $143 is a buy. The company (New York symbol IBM, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 893.6 million; Market cap: $127.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.8; Dividend yield: 4.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.ibm.com) is shifting its focus to cloud computing. As part of this strategy, IBM paid $34 billion for Red Hat in July 2019. That firm is a leading developer of software for cloud systems. The company is also spinning off the Managed Infrastructure Services unit of its Global Technology Services operations. That legacy…