Blue Trust Inc. Buys 1,635 Shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)

Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) by 7.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,597 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 1,635 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.'s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $5,619,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vision Financial Markets LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Rialto Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Tacita Capital Inc grew its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 174.3% in the fourth quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 192 shares of the technology company's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the period. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Finally, Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 58.96% of the company's stock.

International Business Machines Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE IBM traded up $0.10 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $283.15. 3,531,800 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,234,994. The stock has a market capitalization of $263.16 billion, a PE ratio of 48.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.94 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.01. International Business Machines Corporation has a 52-week low of $170.41 and a 52-week high of $286.91. The business's fifty day moving average price is $255.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $244.81.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The technology company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.42 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $14.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.41 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 8.71% and a return on equity of 37.43%. The company's quarterly revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.68 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were given a dividend of $1.68 per share. This represents a $6.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.37%. This is a positive change from International Business Machines's previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. International Business Machines's payout ratio is presently 115.66%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently commented on IBM shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of International Business Machines from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. KGI Securities set a $242.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on International Business Machines from $237.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $276.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, International Business Machines presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $252.19.

About International Business Machines

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.