Van Strum & Towne Inc. Has $8.03 Million Position in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM)

Van Strum & Towne Inc. raised its position in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) by 11.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,297 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 3,351 shares during the period. International Business Machines accounts for about 2.7% of Van Strum & Towne Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Van Strum & Towne Inc.'s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $8,031,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the first quarter worth approximately $396,000. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 0.8% during the fourth quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 495,574 shares of the technology company's stock worth $108,942,000 after purchasing an additional 4,131 shares in the last quarter. Left Brain Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 1,547.8% during the first quarter. Left Brain Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,664 shares of the technology company's stock worth $4,392,000 after purchasing an additional 16,592 shares in the last quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 47.0% during the first quarter. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC now owns 7,507 shares of the technology company's stock worth $1,867,000 after purchasing an additional 2,399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Magnolia Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the first quarter worth approximately $239,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

NYSE:IBM traded down $21.75 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $260.26. 16,259,661 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,569,351. International Business Machines Corporation has a one year low of $181.81 and a one year high of $296.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $241.89 billion, a PE ratio of 44.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.01 and a beta of 0.69. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $277.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $255.30. 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 (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The technology company reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.15. International Business Machines had a net margin of 8.71% and a return on equity of 37.43%. The business had revenue of $16.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.58 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.43 earnings per share. International Business Machines's revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a $1.68 dividend. This is a positive change from International Business Machines's previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. This represents a $6.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.58%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 115.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on IBM shares. Wedbush boosted their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $285.00 to $315.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Saturday, May 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $268.75.

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.