Equitable Holdings Inc. Acquires Shares of 83,681 International Business Machines Corporation $IBM

Key Points

• Equitable Holdings acquired 83,681 IBM shares worth approximately $23.5 million in the second quarter, while institutional investors collectively own 58.96% of IBM.
• IBM’s latest quarter met earnings expectations at $2.93 per share, but revenue of $17.16 billion fell short of estimates; analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with a $265.90 price target.
• IBM continues expanding its AI and quantum-computing initiatives through partnerships with Lockheed Martin, NASA and research institutions, although modest growth, premium valuation and legal-investigation headlines remain investor concerns.

Equitable Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in shares of International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 83,681 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $23,532,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of IBM. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Harborfront Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Hara Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 58.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at International Business Machines

In other news, SVP Robert Thomas sold 25,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.32, for a total value of $5,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 47,800 shares in the company, valued at $11,009,296. The trade was a 34.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.27% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Key International Business Machines News

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: IBM and Lockheed Martin announced a quantum innovation hub at ETH Zurich, supported by Switzerland’s defense-procurement offset program. The initiative will deploy Switzerland’s first IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre, giving IBM a multi-year platform for quantum-computing research in areas such as sensing and advanced materials. IBM and Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub
• Positive Sentiment: IBM and NASA released an open-source Lunar Foundation Model trained on extensive lunar-observation data. The model reportedly improves identification of lunar features, including potential ice deposits and craters, highlighting IBM’s AI capabilities and government-research relationships, although the near-term revenue impact is likely limited. IBM and NASA Release Open-Source AI Model
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary continues to identify IBM as an established-company route to AI and quantum exposure, supported by its hybrid-cloud, enterprise-software and consulting businesses. A Cleveland Clinic, RIKEN and IBM team was also named a finalist for the ACM Gordon Bell Prize for quantum-centric supercomputing research. IBM Team Advances to Gordon Bell Prize Finals
• Neutral Sentiment: A shareholder-rights law firm announced an investigation into IBM related to its previously previewed second-quarter results. Such notices are often solicitation-driven and do not establish wrongdoing, but they can add headline and legal-risk pressure. Law Firm Investigation Report
• Negative Sentiment: IBM’s latest quarterly results showed earnings in line with estimates but revenue below expectations, reinforcing concerns that growth is modest. Analysts also continue to view competing AI-cloud names as having stronger near-term growth and momentum.
• Negative Sentiment: Investors remain focused on IBM’s earlier AI-security investment and whether related partnerships will translate into durable software revenue. Those questions, combined with a premium valuation and broader-market weakness, appear to have outweighed the longer-term quantum and AI announcements. IBM AI Security Investment

International Business Machines Trading Down 2.5%

NYSE:IBM opened at $234.06 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $220.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.77, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The company's 50 day moving average price is $237.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $246.38. International Business Machines Corporation has a 52 week low of $199.19 and a 52 week high of $332.46.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $2.93. The company had revenue of $17.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.46 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.52% and a return on equity of 35.65%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.80 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 10th were issued a $1.69 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 10th. This represents a $6.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.98%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $270.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on International Business Machines in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. They set a "buy" rating for the company. HSBC set a $175.00 target price on International Business Machines and gave the stock a "reduce" rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Roth Capital reissued a "buy" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price target on International Business Machines from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $265.90.

International Business Machines Profile

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company that provides enterprise-focused hardware, software and services. Its offerings include hybrid cloud solutions, artificial intelligence, data and automation software, cybersecurity tools, IT infrastructure and technology consulting.

IBM develops and supports enterprise systems such as IBM Z mainframes, Power servers and storage products. Its software portfolio includes Red Hat hybrid cloud technologies, the watsonx platform for artificial intelligence and data management, application integration tools and cybersecurity solutions.

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