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International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
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International Business Machines (IBM) AI Stock Analysis

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IBM

International Business Machines

(NYSE:IBM)

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Outperform 77 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$349.00
▲(13.53% Upside)
IBM's overall stock score reflects its strong financial performance and positive earnings call, which highlight robust revenue growth and strategic focus on AI and hybrid cloud. The technical analysis indicates bullish momentum, although the high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation. The company's ability to generate cash and maintain profitability supports a positive outlook, despite high leverage.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
IBM's significant revenue growth across all segments highlights its strong market position and effective business strategy, particularly in AI and hybrid cloud, which are expected to drive sustained performance.
Cash Flow Generation
Robust free cash flow generation underscores IBM's financial health and operational efficiency, providing the company with the flexibility to invest in growth initiatives and manage debt.
AI and Automation
Strong performance in AI and automation reflects IBM's strategic focus on high-growth areas, positioning it well to capitalize on industry trends and drive long-term growth.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage poses potential risks to IBM's financial stability, as it may limit the company's ability to invest in new opportunities and manage economic downturns effectively.
Decline in Transaction Processing
The decline in transaction processing revenue indicates potential vulnerability in IBM's revenue streams, which could affect overall growth if not addressed strategically.
Challenges in Red Hat Growth
Challenges in Red Hat growth suggest potential headwinds in IBM's cloud strategy, which could hinder its ability to fully leverage its acquisition and maintain competitive advantage.

International Business Machines (IBM) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

International Business Machines Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionInternational Business Machines (IBM) is a multinational technology and consulting company, known for its innovation in hardware, software, and services. Founded in 1911, IBM operates in various sectors, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and enterprise solutions. Its core products and services include IBM Cloud, IBM Watson, and IBM Systems, as well as a suite of consulting and IT services that help organizations transform their operations and leverage technology for competitive advantage.
How the Company Makes MoneyIBM generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily from its cloud and cognitive software, global business services, and systems segments. The company earns a significant portion of its revenue from cloud computing services, which include infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offerings. Additionally, IBM's consulting services, which encompass business process services and technology consulting, contribute notably to its earnings. The company has established strategic partnerships with various organizations to enhance its product offerings and expand market reach, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, and government. Moreover, IBM generates income through licensing its software products and providing maintenance and support services. Overall, the combination of these revenue streams, along with ongoing investments in research and development, positions IBM to adapt to market demands and capitalize on emerging technologies.

International Business Machines Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Annual Recurring Revenue
Annual Recurring Revenue
Shows the steady income IBM earns from subscription-based services, highlighting business stability and customer retention.
Chart InsightsIBM's Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) has surged significantly, reaching $22.7 billion, driven by strong performance in software and infrastructure, particularly with the new z17 mainframe. This growth aligns with IBM's strategic focus on AI and hybrid cloud, as evidenced by their $7.5 billion GenAI book of business. Despite challenges in consulting and transaction processing revenues, the company's increased free cash flow guidance and robust ARR growth highlight its resilience and strategic momentum in key technology areas.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

International Business Machines Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 22, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
IBM demonstrated strong financial performance with significant revenue growth across all segments, driven by strategic focus on AI and hybrid cloud. Despite some challenges in transaction processing and Red Hat growth, the company showcased robust free cash flow and consulting growth, indicating a positive trajectory.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth Acceleration
IBM reported a 7% revenue growth in Q3 2025, marking the highest growth in several years, with all segments accelerating sequentially.
Strong Performance in Automation and AI
Software growth accelerated to 9%, led by automation, which was up 22%. IBM's Gen AI book of business exceeded $9.5 billion, with 200 consulting projects using digital workers at scale.
Infrastructure Growth Driven by z17
Infrastructure delivered robust performance, growing 15%, driven by continued strength in z17, marking the highest third-quarter revenue in nearly two decades.
Record Free Cash Flow
IBM generated $7.2 billion of free cash flow, the highest nine-month free cash flow margin in reported history, with an expectation of about $14 billion for the year.
Consulting Return to Growth
Consulting returned to growth with revenue up 2%, reflecting solid demand for AI services and software-driven delivery models.
Significant Margin Expansion
IBM realized a 290 basis points expansion in adjusted EBITDA margin and raised full-year expectations for operating pretax margin expansion to over a point.
Negative Updates
Decline in Transaction Processing Revenue
Transaction processing revenue declined by 3%, reflecting a temporary impact from clients prioritizing hardware spend on IBM Z systems.
Challenges in Red Hat Growth
Red Hat revenue grew 12%, impacted by a softening in consumption-based services and Rell trending back towards single-digit growth.
Consulting Signings Decline
Total consulting signings declined this quarter, although the quality of signings strengthened with more strategic wins.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, IBM reported robust financial performance, exceeding expectations with a 7% revenue growth, the highest in several years. All segments showed sequential acceleration, highlighting the strength of IBM's business model and portfolio. Software revenue grew by 9%, driven by a 22% increase in automation, while infrastructure reported a 15% growth fueled by the z17 platform. Consulting returned to growth with a 2% increase, reflecting strong demand for AI services. The company is on track to achieve $4.5 billion in annual productivity savings and maintains a strong liquidity position with cash amounting to $14.9 billion. IBM raised its full-year expectations for revenue growth to more than 5% and free cash flow to approximately $14 billion, indicating a solid outlook for the remainder of 2025.

International Business Machines Financial Statement Overview

Summary
IBM demonstrates strong financial health with robust profitability and cash generation capabilities. The company has maintained steady revenue growth and efficient operations, as reflected in its margins. While the balance sheet shows high leverage, IBM's ability to generate returns on equity and cash flow mitigates some of the associated risks.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
IBM's income statement shows strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 58.16% and a net profit margin of 12.09% for the TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The company has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, with a 2.13% increase in the latest period. EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy at 17.39% and 24.79%, respectively, indicating efficient operations. The company has maintained a positive revenue growth trajectory over the years, reflecting robust business performance.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
IBM's balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, which suggests significant leverage. However, the return on equity is strong at 28.86%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio stands at 19.07%, reflecting a moderate level of equity financing. While the company is leveraging debt effectively, the high leverage poses potential risks if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
The cash flow statement indicates a solid free cash flow growth rate of 10.42% in the TTM, showcasing IBM's ability to generate cash. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.71, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.97, both suggesting strong cash generation relative to net income. The company has shown resilience in maintaining positive cash flow growth, which supports its financial stability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue65.40B62.75B61.86B60.53B57.35B55.18B
Gross Profit38.04B35.55B34.30B32.69B31.49B30.86B
EBITDA16.21B12.18B14.69B7.17B12.41B10.55B
Net Income7.91B6.02B7.50B1.64B5.74B5.59B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets146.31B137.18B135.24B127.24B132.00B155.97B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments14.86B14.59B13.44B8.74B7.25B13.81B
Total Debt66.57B58.40B59.94B54.01B55.14B65.09B
Total Liabilities118.32B109.78B112.63B105.22B113.00B135.25B
Stockholders Equity27.91B27.31B22.53B21.94B18.90B20.60B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow13.04B11.76B12.12B8.46B10.03B14.97B
Operating Cash Flow13.48B13.45B13.93B10.44B12.80B18.20B
Investing Cash Flow-13.10B-4.94B-7.07B-4.20B-5.97B-3.03B
Financing Cash Flow-2.10B-7.08B-1.77B-4.96B-13.35B-9.72B

International Business Machines Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price307.41
Price Trends
50DMA
274.33
Positive
100DMA
271.11
Positive
200DMA
258.99
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
9.51
Negative
RSI
63.42
Neutral
STOCH
78.58
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For IBM, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 307.41 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 292.12, above the 50-day MA of 274.33, and above the 200-day MA of 258.99, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 9.51 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.42 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 78.58 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for IBM.

International Business Machines Risk Analysis

International Business Machines disclosed 25 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. International Business Machines reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

International Business Machines Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
$154.07B20.4425.82%2.44%7.36%6.18%
$35.10B16.8614.50%1.72%7.44%-4.57%
$284.84B36.4530.25%2.38%4.51%21.89%
$69.53B20.7929.15%3.17%4.62%1.06%
$28.37B17.3916.39%3.14%-1.97%48.61%
$35.04B10.0713.64%5.16%24.92%
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
IBM
International Business Machines
304.73
102.86
50.95%
ACN
Accenture
248.44
-89.98
-26.59%
CTSH
Cognizant
72.73
-1.49
-2.01%
FI
Fiserv
65.14
-137.88
-67.91%
INFY
Infosys
16.41
-3.79
-18.76%
WIT
Wipro
2.61
-0.54
-17.14%

International Business Machines Corporate Events

IBM’s Earnings Call Highlights Robust Growth in 2025
Oct 24, 2025

IBM’s recent earnings call painted a picture of robust financial health and strategic growth, underscored by a strong sentiment of optimism. The company reported significant revenue growth across all segments, driven by a strategic focus on AI and hybrid cloud technologies. Despite facing challenges in transaction processing and Red Hat growth, IBM showcased impressive free cash flow and consulting growth, signaling a positive trajectory for the future.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
IBM Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financial Performance
Positive
Oct 23, 2025

In the third quarter of 2025, IBM reported strong financial performance with a 7% revenue growth, marking its highest growth in several years. The company’s strategy focused on hybrid cloud and AI, driving significant growth in software and infrastructure segments. IBM’s AI and automation offerings, such as watsonx and the z17 infrastructure, contributed to this success, with notable client engagements and productivity gains. The company also highlighted advancements in quantum computing and partnerships, raising expectations for revenue growth and free cash flow for the year.

The most recent analyst rating on (IBM) stock is a Hold with a $300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on International Business Machines stock, see the IBM Stock Forecast page.

IBM Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results, Raises Outlook
Oct 23, 2025

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company, operating in the information technology sector, known for its extensive portfolio of software, consulting, and infrastructure services, as well as its pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI).

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 26, 2025