These top techs belong in your portfolio

Article Excerpt

COVID-19 has prompted many businesses to cut costs, including on new computer hardware and software purchases. However, investors can expect orders for IBM and Cisco to pick up later this year as their products help clients keep operating during disruptions like the pandemic. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $119 is a buy. The company (New York symbol IBM; Conservative Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 888.4 million; Market cap: $105.7 billion; Dividend yield: 5.4%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.ibm.com) is one of the world’s largest computer companies, with operations in over 175 countries. IBM last raised its quarterly dividend by 3.2% with the June 2019 payment. Investors now receive $1.62 a share instead of $1.57. The new annual rate of $6.48 yields a high 5.4%. IBM has paid dividends continuously since 1916 and has raised the annual rate each year for the past 24 years. On July 9, 2019, the company completed its acquisition of Red Hat Inc. for $34 billion. Red Hat…