IBM’s turnaround is just getting started

Article Excerpt

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $182 (New York symbol IBM; Conservative Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 950.9 million; Market cap: $173.1 billion; Dividend yield: 3.1%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.ibm.com) is one of the world’s largest computer companies, with operations in over 175 countries. The company has a long history of adjusting to rapid changes in the computer technology industry. Right now, it continues to build up its software businesses as demand for mainframe computers and consulting services slows. New operations have big potential These new software operations mainly include cloud computing services (the storage of files and programs using the Internet). The company also continues to develop analytics software that can process increasingly large amounts of data. That includes its Watson artificial intelligence tech nology. The company has four main businesses: Technology Services and Cloud Platforms (44% of its 2016 revenue); Cognitive Solutions, including analytics software (23%); Global Business Services, developing and managing computer systems (21%); and…