IBM Keeps on Gaining

Article Excerpt

IBM $120.70 (New York symbol IBM; SI Rating: Above average) jumped recently after reporting stronger results in the latest quarter. Revenues rose 11.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2008, to $24.5 billion from $22 billion a year earlier. Earnings rose 25.7%, to $2.3 billion from $1.8 billion. Earnings per share rose 36.6%, to $1.68 from $1.21, on fewer shares outstanding from share buybacks. IBM is the world’s biggest supplier of computers and information processing services. The company’s shift over the past few years into higher-margin computer services and software is paying off. High research spending ($1.6 billion or 6.4% of sales in the latest quarter) will let the company keep adding profitable new products. IBM gets over 60% of its revenues from international operations, which offsets its exposure to the slowing U.S. economy. Sales were especially strong in Europe and Asia. Even so, revenues in the U.S. still rose 6%. IBM’s products and services have a lot of appeal for corporate customers looking…