International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) Shares Up 0.3% - What's Next?

International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report)'s stock price shot up 0.3% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $232.88 and last traded at $230.15. 806,594 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 4,196,733 shares. The stock had previously closed at $229.55.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on IBM shares. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on International Business Machines from $217.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on International Business Machines from $233.00 to $244.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, International Business Machines currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $232.75.

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International Business Machines Stock Up 0.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.00. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $248.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $233.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $223.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.67.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.77 by $0.15. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 9.60%. Sell-side analysts expect that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 10th were issued a $1.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.77%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.21%.

Insider Transactions at International Business Machines

In related news, SVP Robert David Thomas sold 26,543 shares of International Business Machines stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $253.01, for a total transaction of $6,715,644.43. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,007 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,387,221.07. The trade was a 37.10 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.18% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of International Business Machines

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Compass Financial Services Inc acquired a new stake in International Business Machines in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Avondale Wealth Management increased its stake in International Business Machines by 56.0% during the 4th quarter. Avondale Wealth Management now owns 156 shares of the technology company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in International Business Machines by 134.3% in the 4th quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 157 shares of the technology company's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rialto Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

International Business Machines Company Profile

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate.