International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) Shares Up 3.2% – Here’s Why

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) rose 3.2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $299.89 and last traded at $299.09. Approximately 3,720,661 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 5,057,307 shares. The stock had previously closed at $289.89.

More International Business Machines News

Here are the key news stories impacting International Business Machines this week:

• Positive Sentiment: IBM won a role on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program — an IDIQ contract framework with a $151 billion ceiling — reinforcing its government/defense pipeline and validating IBM’s AI and systems capabilities for large, long-duration contracts. IBM to Support Missile Defense Agency SHIELD Contract
• Positive Sentiment: IBM added PepsiCo’s CEO to its board, signaling strengthened governance and bringing a consumer-industry perspective that can support IBM’s go-to-market and valuation narrative as it pushes AI offerings. IBM Adds PepsiCo CEO To Board As AI And Valuation Story Evolves
• Positive Sentiment: High-profile endorsement: Jim Cramer publicly praised IBM’s CEO, which can lift retail and momentum sentiment in the near term. My Hat’s Off to International Business Machines (IBM) CEO, Says Jim Cramer
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish write-ups and investor-focused pieces outline a constructive case for IBM’s AI and hybrid-cloud-driven earnings upside, supporting buy-side interest. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM): A Bull Case Theory
• Neutral Sentiment: Missouri AG and IBM reached a settlement in a discrimination lawsuit — this removes litigation uncertainty but the story’s financial impact appears limited/contained based on available reporting. Missouri attorney general’s office and IBM reach settlement in discrimination lawsuit
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage notes that IBM is navigating market headwinds even as it advances its AI push — a reminder of mixed macro/sector pressures versus the company’s strategic progress. IBM Shares Navigate Market Headwinds Amid AI Push
• Neutral Sentiment: A sector piece on quantum-computing outlooks highlights other players (e.g., IONQ) as quantum growth cools; quantum remains a long-term theme but is not an immediate revenue driver for IBM. Quantum Computing 2026 Outlook: 2 Stocks for Long-Term Upside
• Negative Sentiment: Technicals: some coverage flags IBM falling below its 100-day moving average, which can prompt short-term selling or caution among momentum/technical traders. As IBM Stock Breaks Below Its 100-Day Moving Average, Should You Buy the Dip?

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on IBM shares. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $350.00 price objective on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $325.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Wedbush lifted their price objective on International Business Machines from $325.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on International Business Machines from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $304.00 price target on International Business Machines in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $330.07.

International Business Machines Trading Up 3.2%

The firm has a market cap of $279.57 billion, a PE ratio of 26.82, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.69. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $302.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $283.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The technology company reported $4.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.33 by $0.19. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 38.15% and a net margin of 15.69%.The firm had revenue of $19.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.92 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.68 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 10th. This represents a $6.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. International Business Machines’s payout ratio is presently 60.27%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director David N. Farr purchased 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $304.00 per share, with a total value of $304,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 9,258 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,814,432. This represents a 12.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.18% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of International Business Machines

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IBM. Family CFO Inc purchased a new stake in International Business Machines in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Winnow Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Joseph Group Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Mountain Hill Investment Partners Corp. bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, SWAN Capital LLC purchased a new position in International Business Machines during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. 58.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About International Business Machines

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is a global technology and consulting company headquartered in Armonk, New York. Founded in 1911 as the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) and renamed IBM in 1924, the company has evolved from early electromechanical machines to a diversified technology provider serving enterprises and governments worldwide. IBM is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IBM.

IBM’s principal businesses encompass cloud computing and software, infrastructure and systems, consulting and technology services, and research and development.