Large cap stocks: Strong emerging market demand pushes IBM’s earnings higher

International Business Machines Corp., symbol IBM on New York, reported higher-than-expected earnings in the latest quarter. In the three months ended March 31, 2011, the large cap stock’s earnings rose 10.1%, to $2.9 billion from $2.6 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 17.3%, to $2.31 from $1.97, on fewer shares outstanding. Excluding one-time items, such as costs related to acquisitions, IBM earned $2.41 a share. On that basis, the latest earnings beat the consensus estimate of $2.29. Revenue rose 7.7%, to $24.6 billion from $22.9 billion a year earlier. That was higher than the consensus revenue estimate of $24.0 billion. Revenue from Brazil, Russia, India and China (which together account for 21% of IBM’s overall revenue), jumped 26%. The company is also seeing strong demand for its new System Z mainframe computer. However, the value of the large cap stock’s new service contracts fell 14% in the quarter, to $10.5 billion. That missed the consensus estimate of $13 billion. As of March 31, 2011, IBM’s service order backlog was $142 billion, or 1.4 times its annual revenue. The company now expects to earn $13.15 a share in 2011, up 1.2% from its earlier forecast of $13.00. If you invest in U.S. stocks like IBM, you should subscribe to Wall Street Stock Forecaster. What’s more, you can get one month free when you subscribe today. Click here to learn how.

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Jim Bates

Jim is an associate editor at TSI Network. He is the lead reporter and analyst for The Successful Investor and Wall Street Stock Forecaster and a member of the Investment Planning Committee. Jim has held the Chartered Financial Analyst designation since 1992 and spent more than a decade at the Financial Post DataGroup before joining TSI Network. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.

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