International Business Machines Corporation $IBM Stock: Milestone Asset Management LLC Reduces Holdings

Milestone Asset Management LLC trimmed its stake in International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) by 74.5% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,868 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 8,372 shares during the quarter. Milestone Asset Management LLC’s holdings in International Business Machines were worth $631,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Portus Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in International Business Machines in the first quarter worth approximately $26,000. Harborfront Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Hara Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Bare Financial Services Inc raised its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 114.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 103 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in shares of International Business Machines during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. 58.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting International Business Machines

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

• Positive Sentiment: Potential earnings beat: Bank of America expects IBM to modestly exceed third-quarter estimates, while maintaining its 2026 outlook. The bank reiterated a “buy” rating and $280 price target, citing higher-margin software growth, improving profitability and strong free cash flow. IBM poised for modest third-quarter beat, says Bank of America
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Morgan Stanley raised its IBM price target from $190 to $238, although it retained an “equal weight” rating. Royal Bank of Canada also reaffirmed its “outperform” rating, providing additional support ahead of earnings.
• Positive Sentiment: Semiconductor research collaboration: IBM and Siemens are working together to advance IBM’s nanostack transistor architecture. Siemens will contribute electronic-design automation, process simulation and manufacturing expertise, potentially strengthening IBM’s long-term semiconductor and technology prospects. IBM and Siemens Collaborate on Research to Advance Nanostack Architecture
• Neutral Sentiment: AI governance demand: IBM reported that 80% of surveyed EMEA executives had escalated an AI-related incident to their board or C-suite. The findings highlight a growing need for AI governance, cybersecurity and compliance services, but also show that many organizations are not yet prepared for autonomous AI agents. IBM Study on AI Incidents and Governance
• Negative Sentiment: Dividend and balance-sheet concerns: IBM’s century-long record of annual dividend increases is being tested by token-sized raises, rising debt and concerns that shareholder payouts could compete with funding for AI investments. IBM Dividend and Debt Concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Cash-flow quality and execution risks: Analysts note that much of IBM’s first-half operating-cash-flow improvement came from movements in financing receivables rather than clearly sustainable growth. Investors also remain focused on competition, margin pressure and whether AI and hybrid-cloud expansion can justify IBM’s premium valuation.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on IBM. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of International Business Machines in a report on Tuesday. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 31st. Wall Street Zen lowered International Business Machines from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, September 12th. Daiwa Securities Group reduced their price target on International Business Machines from $247.00 to $217.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Citic Securities boosted their price target on International Business Machines from $294.00 to $297.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $254.96.

Insider Activity at International Business Machines

In related news, SVP Robert Thomas sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.32, for a total value of $5,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 47,800 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $11,009,296. This trade represents a 34.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE IBM opened at $234.04 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $220.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.77, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.73. International Business Machines Corporation has a 12 month low of $199.19 and a 12 month high of $332.46. The business’s 50 day moving average is $232.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $243.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $2.93 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.93. International Business Machines had a net margin of 15.52% and a return on equity of 35.65%. The firm had revenue of $17.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.46 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.80 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that International Business Machines Corporation will post 12.33 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Monday, August 10th were paid a $1.69 dividend. This represents a $6.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 10th. International Business Machines’s dividend payout ratio is presently 59.98%.

International Business Machines Profile

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM), commonly known as IBM, is a global technology company that provides hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence, software, consulting and infrastructure solutions. Its offerings help businesses and government organizations manage data, modernize applications, automate processes and improve cybersecurity.

IBM’s portfolio includes the Red Hat hybrid cloud platform, the watsonx suite of artificial intelligence and data tools, consulting services, and enterprise software for areas such as automation, application management, security and asset management.