International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) Stock Price Down 0.4% - Should You Sell?

International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report)'s share price was down 0.4% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $265.15 and last traded at $265.57. Approximately 848,849 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 82% from the average daily volume of 4,844,134 shares. The stock had previously closed at $266.68.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on IBM shares. Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $320.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $237.00 to $233.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group reiterated a "sell" rating and issued a $170.00 price objective (up previously from $160.00) on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $249.06.

International Business Machines Stock Up 0.0%

The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $243.38 and a 200 day simple moving average of $235.88. The company has a market cap of $247.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.60, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82.

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 analysts' consensus estimates 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 the consensus estimate of $14.41 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.68 EPS. The business's revenue was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a dividend of $1.68 per share. 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 dividend yield of 2.52%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio is presently 115.66%.

Insider Activity at International Business Machines

In related news, SVP Robert David Thomas sold 26,543 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $253.01, for a total transaction of $6,715,644.43. Following 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Business Machines

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the first quarter worth about $27,000. SSA Swiss Advisors AG acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Dagco Inc. purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the first quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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