IBM Common StockIBMTOP PICKOct 08, 2019Stock 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)
The most hated stock on the S&P. IBM is doing a lot of things right. It trades much lower vs. its peers, so it doesn't take a lot to get a 20-30% return out of it. The bar is set so low. The EPS is around 10-11x. They just closed on the Red Hat cloud deal. Revenue growth is 2-3% annual, but they are cutting out big-revenue, but low-margin contracts which should improve their bottom line. Red Hat's CEO could be the next IBM head, which is a plus. (Analysts’ price target is $154.76)