Based on the aggregated intelligence of 145,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, global IT solutions giant International Business Machines
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at IBM's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
IBM facts
Headquarters (Founded) |
Armonk, N.Y. (1910) |
Market Cap |
$167.1 billion |
Industry |
Diversified computer systems |
Trailing-12-Month Revenue |
$95.5 billion |
Management |
CEO Samuel Palmisano (since 2002) CFO Mark Loughridge (since 2004) |
Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years) |
47.4% |
Cash/Debt |
$11.5 billion / $25.5 billion |
Dividend Yield |
1.7% |
Competitors |
Accenture
Hewlett-Packard
Microsoft |
CAPS Members Bullish on IBM Also Bullish on |
General Electric |
CAPS Members Bearish on IBM Also Bearish on |
Google
Amazon.com |
Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.
On CAPS, 92% of the 833 All-Star members who have rated IBM believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include All-Stars XMFNJDevil and Alzo10, both of whom are ranked in the top 15% of our community.
Just last week, XMFNJDevil touched on the big trends working in Big Blue's favor: "Servers and mainframes will grow in importance as we increase virtualization efforts and demand even more 24/7 and 5-9s systems."
In an earlier pitch, Alzo10 applauded IBM's adaptability:
It's had a great run lately, but I believe this is a great company to own for the long-term. First, IBM does a fantastic job cultivating talent throughout the organization. Second, IBM has consistently remade itself as a company... to rise to the top of the pack each time. Thirdly, this is a cash flow machine.
With IBM's ability to earn cash, and their amazingly run company, I believe that IBM will be the winner in whatever technology direction they choose to go. They have the means to acquire or build from within, and the willingness to change course if something isn't working. This is corporate Darwinism at its best.
What do you think about IBM, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. The CAPS community is waiting to hear your opinions. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!