International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM) Shares Acquired by Rafferty Asset Management LLC

Rafferty Asset Management LLC raised its position in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) by 0.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 319,163 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 1,332 shares during the period. Rafferty Asset Management LLC's holdings in International Business Machines were worth $70,162,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compass Financial Services Inc bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Tacita Capital Inc lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. 58.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,007 shares in the company, valued at $11,387,221.07. This trade represents a 37.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.18% of the company's stock.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

Shares of IBM traded up $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $266.70. 3,814,415 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,221,437. The business's 50-day moving average price is $243.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $236.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $247.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.04. International Business Machines Co. has a 12 month low of $163.53 and a 12 month high of $267.98.

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

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.68 per share. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.52%. This is a boost from International Business Machines's previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. International Business Machines's payout ratio is 115.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on IBM. StockNews.com raised shares of International Business Machines from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $233.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. UBS Group reissued a "sell" rating and issued a $170.00 target price (up previously from $160.00) on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $320.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $249.06.

International Business Machines 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.