International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM) Shares Purchased by United Bank

United Bank increased its holdings in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM - Free Report) by 45.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,172 shares of the technology company's stock after buying an additional 2,544 shares during the period. United Bank's holdings in International Business Machines were worth $1,796,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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

International Business Machines Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE IBM traded up $0.82 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $251.16. 1,700,028 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,099,631. International Business Machines Co. has a 52-week low of $162.62 and a 52-week high of $266.45. The company has a market capitalization of $232.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.18, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.74. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $250.52 and a 200-day moving average price of $232.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 29th. The technology company reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.77 by $0.15. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.99% and a net margin of 9.60%. Equities research analysts expect that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th were paid a $1.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 10th. This represents a $6.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.66%. International Business Machines's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.21%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $260.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of International Business Machines from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 15th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of International Business Machines from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $233.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Two equities 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 issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, International Business Machines currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $231.13.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other International Business Machines 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 value of $6,715,644.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,007 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,387,221.07. The trade was a 37.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.18% of the company's stock.

About International Business Machines

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.