IBM Common StockIBMCOMMENTJan 07, 2013Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jul 31, 2026. Market Open.
We had these stocks that were growing off of AI, and they've been delivering spectacular growth. But they've also had spectacular increases in share prices, which becomes a potential source of volatility.
The question is whether valuations are too high given projected growth? As we've seen here, some of the price adjustments can be pretty abrupt.
Growing from multiple angles, yet valuation still reasonable. Stable and embedded business complemented by new growth drivers. Consulting business helps companies implement AI, and that's where the real spending is. Strong in hybrid cloud, managing data across environments. Quantum computing already being used with potential for energy, healthcare, manufacturing.
Drop in February due to sector rotation and profit taking. Trades ~19x PE, attractive. Sees 30% upside from here to ~$317. Yield is 2.85%.
Hold on to it. At 4-5% growth, in the ballpark of the top players. He doesn't know its exposure to robotics. Street's pretty positive on it, about 20% upside. At 20x PE, not an aggressive valuation. Margins expected to stay healthy -- 60% gross margins, net income margins of close to 20%.
(Analysts’ price target is $314.00)
Profit margins on companies in the S&P 500 are very, very high relative to history. If you look at where the earnings have been coming from in general for most companies it has not been coming from revenue growth, it has been coming from cost-cutting. Feels the reason this one has traded well over the last few years is that it has very good recurring revenues and has a big global footprint. Technically it has been consolidating over the last couple of months. He would prefer something that has revenue growth such as Google (GOOG-Q) that has both revenue and earnings growth..