IBM’s A Top Technology Buy

Article Excerpt

Computer technology stocks are among the most volatile in the Manufacturing & Industry sector of the economy, as we’ve seen with the current market turmoil. We think that the best way to invest in technology is through large, established, broad-based technology companies capable of funding expensive research and bringing new products to market. A great example is IBM. Its wide exposure to hardware and software limits its reliance on any single product. Its focus on computer services also gives it steadier revenue streams than most computer companies. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $106 (New York symbol IBM; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.4 billion; Market cap: $148.4 billion; WSSF Rating: Above average) is the world’s largest supplier of computers and information services. It operates in over 170 countries. IBM has long been a leader in large, mainframe computers for corporations and governments. As well, in the past five years, IBM has expanded its services and software operations through the purchase of…