News that International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) has launched power-efficient data center microchips and servers for artificial intelligence (AI) models has done little for the company’s stock.
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IBM shares are flat (down 0.42%) at noon hour on July 8 after the technology company introduced its new “Power11” microchips, the first significant update to its “Power” line of chips since 2020. IBM says the latest microchips, and servers they run on, are more energy efficient than their rivals and will simplify the process of rolling out AI applications and models.
The main competitors of IBM when it comes to microchips and processors for data centers are Intel (INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). As with Nvidia’s (NVDA) AI servers, IBM’s Power systems are an integrated package of microchips and software that are sold together. IBM said the Power 11 chips and servers also offer enhanced reliability and security for customers.
Ho-Hum Response
IBM said that the new Power11 systems will be available for purchase starting on July 25 of this year and will not need any planned downtime for software updates. The company stressed that it is not competing with Nvidia in helping create and train AI systems.
Rather, the company is focused on simplifying AI deployment for inference, which is the process of putting an AI system to work in speeding up a business task. Despite much fanfare and a big public relations push, news of the Power 11 chips and servers has drawn a ho-hum response from both analysts and investors, leaving the stock treading water on July 8. IBM stock is up 35% this year.
Is IBM Stock a Buy?
The stock of IBM has a consensus Moderate Buy rating among 16 Wall Street analysts. That rating is based on nine Buy, five Hold, and two Sell recommendations issued in the last three months. The average IBM price target of $277.53 implies 4.79% downside from current levels.
