IBM Common StockIBMDON'T BUYAug 01, 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)
What are the key factors that you look at in assessing the prospects for future growth? What are your favourite metrics in relating those growth factors to the valuation of the stock? There is a lot of cash flow generation. They have a component that is recurring revenue. She sold out of her holdings because she didn’t see growth on the top line. There was earnings growth, but that was essentially because they were taking on debt to buy back shares. There is only so long that you can play that game. A lot of tech stocks have to reinvent themselves and this is in that category. If you see an uptick in revenue, that is probably the best catalyst for the stock.