IBM Common StockIBMCOMMENTDec 20, 2017Stock 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)
This has a monopoly position with a story similar to Microsoft. The only difference is that this one is effectively what Microsoft is ultimately going to become, i.e., they buy back shares about 2%-3% per year and have done that for about 15 years. Have raised the dividend every year. A total return story, capital appreciation plus the dividend. At the moment it is fairly inexpensive and is actually on sale. If you have a multiyear time horizon, its an interesting way to play tech. Very, very strong balance sheet.