Providence First Trust Co Makes New $678,000 Investment in International Business Machines Corporation $IBM

Providence First Trust Co acquired a new stake in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,290 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $678,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Waverton Investment Management Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 3.3% during the third quarter. Waverton Investment Management Ltd now owns 993,743 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $280,439,000 after purchasing an additional 32,072 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in International Business Machines by 30.0% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 13,122 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $3,887,000 after purchasing an additional 3,029 shares during the last quarter. NEOS Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in International Business Machines by 51.7% in the 3rd quarter. NEOS Investment Management LLC now owns 114,395 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $32,278,000 after buying an additional 38,973 shares during the period. Advisors Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of International Business Machines by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 347,155 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $97,953,000 after buying an additional 12,623 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 1.9% during the third quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 330,814 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $93,342,000 after buying an additional 6,235 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 58.96% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Argus set a $360.00 target price on International Business Machines in a report on Friday, January 30th. Wedbush reduced their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $340.00 to $320.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 23rd. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $380.00 to $320.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Dbs Bank raised shares of International Business Machines from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 19th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on shares of International Business Machines from $340.00 to $290.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $296.18.

Key Stories Impacting International Business Machines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Think 2026 product push – IBM rolled out expanded enterprise AI and hybrid-cloud offerings (next‑gen watsonx Orchestrate, IBM Sovereign Core, Concert, real‑time data/connectors) that strengthen its go‑to‑market for large customers and support recurring software/consulting revenue growth. Think 2026: IBM Delivers the Blueprint for the AI Operating Model as the AI Divide Widens
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic partnership expansion – IBM and Saudi Aramco announced an intended collaboration on AI, agentic AI, automation and materials science, opening a large industrial customer channel and potential managed‑services work in the Middle East. IBM and Aramco Explore Collaboration to Accelerate AI and Innovation Across Saudi Arabia
• Positive Sentiment: Quantum milestone boosts long‑term optionality – IBM, Cleveland Clinic and partners simulated a 12,635‑atom protein on IBM quantum systems, marking a new capability milestone that supports IBM’s narrative of commercializing quantum for pharma and materials research. Cleveland Clinic, RIKEN, and IBM Model a 12,635-Atom Protein
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrade signals improving sentiment on quantum/AI upside – HSBC upgraded IBM on its quantum-business valuation, providing third‑party support for management’s long‑term value creation thesis. HSBC Upgrades International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) on Quantum Business Valuation
• Positive Sentiment: Partner integrations broaden product reach – LogicMonitor announced integrations with IBM watsonx and Red Hat Ansible to power autonomous IT operations, which could accelerate enterprise adoption of IBM’s management stack. LogicMonitor Collaborates with IBM and Red Hat to Drive the Next Era of Autonomous Data Centers
• Neutral Sentiment: Market reports list IBM among smart‑grid cybersecurity leaders — a large, fast‑growing market opportunity, but one driven by long sales cycles and competition; supportive for longer‑term cyber/security services. Global Smart Grid Cybersecurity Market Size/Share Report
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory risk headline — CEO Arvind Krishna warned Washington that overly strict AI rules could harm U.S. competitiveness, highlighting regulatory uncertainty as a potential near‑term headwind for AI vendors if heavy regulation emerges. That uncertainty can pressure multiples despite product progress. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna warns Washington must find ‘Goldilocks’ middle ground on AI regulation

Insider Transactions at International Business Machines

In related news, Director Michael Miebach bought 434 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $233.33 per share, with a total value of $101,265.22. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $101,265.22. The trade was a ∞ increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.

International Business Machines Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE:IBM opened at $229.01 on Wednesday. International Business Machines Corporation has a one year low of $220.72 and a one year high of $324.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $242.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $278.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.25, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.58.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The technology company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.81 by $0.10. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.61% and a return on equity of 37.23%. The business had revenue of $15.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.60 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 8th will be given a dividend of $1.69 per share. This is a boost from International Business Machines’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.68. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 8th. This represents a $6.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. International Business Machines’s dividend payout ratio is 59.42%.

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.