Ascent Group LLC Raises Stock Position in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM)

Ascent Group LLC lifted its stake in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) by 13.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,808 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 1,729 shares during the period. Ascent Group LLC's holdings in International Business Machines were worth $3,255,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new stake in International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC bought a new stake in International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 134.3% during the fourth quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 157 shares of the technology company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Tacita Capital Inc increased its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 174.3% during the fourth quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 192 shares of the technology company's stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

IBM has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wedbush reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $300.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Citigroup restated an "outperform" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Saturday, May 10th. Bank of America increased their price objective on International Business Machines from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on International Business Machines from $237.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, KGI Securities set a $242.00 price objective on International Business Machines and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, International Business Machines has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $249.06.

International Business Machines Price Performance

NYSE IBM traded up $4.54 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $263.17. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,281,641 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,211,353. The stock has a market capitalization of $244.59 billion, a PE ratio of 41.06, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $245.26 and a 200 day moving average of $238.85. International Business Machines Co. has a one year low of $163.53 and a one year high of $269.28.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The technology company reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.18. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 9.60%. The business had revenue of $14.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.41 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.68 EPS. International Business Machines's revenue for the quarter was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a $1.68 dividend. This is an increase from International Business Machines's previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.55%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio is presently 115.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Robert David Thomas sold 26,543 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $253.01, for a total transaction of $6,715,644.43. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 45,007 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,387,221.07. This trade represents a 37.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

International Business Machines Company Profile

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate.