Key Takeaways IBM partners with Contiem to deliver the UK MoD's DEEAMS program.The contract replaces 17 legacy systems with a single AI-driven platform.IBM also secures $31M with FEMA, expanding its government services portfolio.International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has partnered with Contiem, a global provider of content software and services, to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management System (DEEAMS) program. The deal strengthens IBM’s positi ...

In this article, we will look at the 15 Best Long Term Low Volatility Stocks to Invest In.On January 26, Sherry Paul, Morgan Stanley senior portfolio manager, appeared on CNBC’s ‘Closing Bell’ to talk about the state of equity markets and whether more volatility is expected ahead.According to her, one of the most important things that came out of Davos was going from the phrase globalization to the “new world order”, in which the former felt more like a conscious uncoupling, while the latter has a much hars ...

Core Viewpoint - The nomination of Kevin Warsh by President Trump to lead the Federal Reserve is seen as a strategic move to return the central bank to traditional monetary policies and regulatory norms, especially in light of his experience during the 2008 financial crisis [1][5][10]. Group 1: Warsh's Qualifications and Experience - Gary Cohn highlighted Warsh's instrumental role during the 2008 financial crisis, stating that he was the point person at the Fed during critical discussions involving bank stress and asset movements [4]. - Warsh's background includes serving as the youngest Fed governor in history at age 35, appointed by President George W. Bush, and he has held various roles in the private sector and academia since leaving the Fed in 2011 [13][14]. Group 2: Expected Policy Changes - Cohn expressed confidence that Warsh would focus the Federal Reserve on its core economic mission, steering it away from non-financial issues and potentially implementing one to two interest rate cuts this year [7]. - Warsh is expected to reverse the Fed's large balance sheet policies, which involved significant purchases of securities, aligning with traditionalist views on regulation that support market growth while ensuring consumer access to capital [7]. Group 3: Political Context and Confirmation - Trump's announcement of Warsh's nomination ended months of speculation and reflects his long-standing relationship with Warsh, whom he believes will be among the most successful Fed chairmen in history [10][11]. - Warsh's confirmation by the Senate is required before he can assume the influential role in U.S. economic policymaking [12].

Core Insights - IBM has reported stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter results, with shares climbing approximately 35% over the past year [1] - The company's growth is significantly driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing initiatives [2] Financial Performance - IBM's revenue grew by 12%, or 9% in constant currencies, reaching $19.69 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $19.23 billion [3] - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 15% to $4.52, exceeding analyst expectations of $4.32 [3] Revenue Breakdown - Infrastructure revenue led growth with a 21% increase to $5.1 billion, attributed to the Z17 platform processing 50% more inference operations than the Z16 platform [5] - Software revenue rose by 14% to $9 billion, while consulting revenue increased by 3% to $5.3 billion [6] - The company anticipates software revenue growth of 10% this year, with Red Hat OpenShift expected to grow around 30% [6] Cash Flow and Acquisitions - IBM generated free cash flow of $14.7 billion, with expectations to increase this by about $1 billion by 2026 [7] - The company is actively using its cash flow for acquisitions, currently integrating HashiCorp and planning to close the acquisition of Confluent [8] Quantum Computing Progress - IBM introduced its 120-qubit Nighthawk system and is on track to launch a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029 [9] - The company projects revenue growth of more than 5% in constant currencies for 2026, slightly above analyst expectations [9] Valuation - IBM's stock is trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 25 times 2026 analyst estimates, indicating reasonable valuation [10] - The company is positioned as a leader in AI and quantum computing, making its stock a solid investment at current levels [10]

Core Viewpoint - The market is experiencing mixed actions despite strong earnings from major companies, with a focus on AI's future profitability and growth potential [2][5]. Company Earnings - Meta reported strong earnings, with significant capital expenditure (capex) spending of $115 to $135 billion, which is starting to pay off in terms of advertising revenue [12][13]. - Boeing's earnings showed a 57% increase in sales, with a record backlog of $682 billion, indicating a successful turnaround and positive cash flow [17][18]. AI and Market Outlook - Companies are heavily investing in AI, with Meta and others doubling down on their AI strategies, leading to optimism about future profits [3][12]. - The current stage of AI development is likened to being in the second to third inning, suggesting substantial growth potential ahead [7]. Investment Opportunities - Major companies like IBM and Meta are expected to perform well, with IBM transforming into a significant player in the AI space and offering a reliable dividend of 2.2% [9][11]. - There is potential in "quantum stocks" and other emerging companies that may benefit from the AI boom [8].

Core Viewpoint - International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is recognized as a significant player in the enterprise computing sector, with a notable increase in share price over the past year and year-to-date [2]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Analyst Ratings - IBM's shares have increased by 19.9% over the past year and by 5.2% year-to-date [2]. - Bernstein has raised IBM's share price target to $330 from $280 while maintaining a Market Perform rating [2]. - The firm indicated potential challenges for IBM related to AI devaluation, suggesting that the strength in quantum computing may already be reflected in the stock price [2]. Group 2: Quantum Computing and Market Perception - Jim Cramer has highlighted IBM's advancements in quantum computing, suggesting it is one of the few stocks in this space worth investing in alongside Google [2][3]. - Cramer praised IBM's CEO Arvind Krishna for his leadership and the company's ongoing relevance in the market, particularly among traditional enterprises like large banks [3]. - Cramer believes that if quantum computing becomes widespread, it could lead to significant energy savings and operational efficiencies [3].

Core Viewpoint - IBM is recognized as a leading AI stock on Wall Street, with analysts highlighting its strong free cash flow (FCF) performance and robust software growth, leading to an increased price target from Stifel [1][4]. Financial Performance - IBM's fourth-quarter 2025 results showed 7% organic revenue growth and 15% earnings per share growth, aligning with or slightly exceeding consensus expectations [2]. - The company reported a $0.7 billion, or 10%, outperformance in FCF for Q4 2025, with 2026 FCF guidance also exceeding consensus by $0.7 billion (4-5%) [3]. Analyst Insights - Stifel maintains a Buy rating on IBM, raising the price target to $340 from $325, citing its status as a top large-cap defensive pick [1][4]. - The stock is currently trading at approximately a 35% premium to the equal-weight S&P 500, consistent with its long-term trend [4].

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the stocks that Jim Cramer shared takes on, along with navigating market shortages. Cramer noted that the company reported a “magnificent number,” as he stated: Beyond the Mag Seven, let me throw in IBM. They reported a magnificent number. Oh my God, Mag Eight? I don’t know. Software revenues up 14, very strong full-year forecast, inexpensive stock flying in after-hours trading. You know, I think IBM’s incredibly well run by Arvind Krishna a ...

Core Insights - IBM's mainframe business is thriving, recording its best fourth-quarter revenue in over 20 years with a 61% year-over-year increase, adjusted for currency [2] - The mainframe systems are crucial for industries requiring high reliability and security, with 71% of Fortune 500 companies utilizing them [3] Group 1: Financial Performance - IBM's mainframe revenue surged 61% year-over-year, contributing to a 17% increase in the infrastructure segment [2] - The mainframe business is a significant part of IBM's overall strategy, showcasing resilience and growth in a competitive market [1] Group 2: Market Presence - Over 90% of installed mainframe systems are from IBM, with 92% of large financial institutions and 63% of government agencies relying on these systems [3] - Mainframes process over 87% of global credit card transactions, highlighting their importance in financial operations [3] Group 3: Technological Advancements - The latest z17 mainframe systems are designed for the AI era, capable of handling over 250 AI use cases and performing up to 450 billion AI inferencing operations per day, a 50% increase from its predecessor [5] - IBM's z17 mainframe systems have an average response time of just one millisecond, making them suitable for real-time applications [5] Group 4: Future Outlook - IBM anticipates a shift in the AI inferencing market, predicting that in three to five years, 50% of enterprise AI usage will occur in private clouds or on-premises data centers [7] - The company is also enhancing its mainframe capabilities with the Spyre AI accelerator, allowing for more powerful AI model execution [6]

David N. Farr, a director at IBM (NYSE:IBM), purchased 1,000 shares, increasing his total ownership to 9,258 shares. IBM reported a 12.2% year-over-year revenue increase in its Q4 earnings, with a significant constant-currency growth marking its best performance in over three years. The company's growth strategy focuses on its Software segment, expecting around 10% growth, driven by organic expansion and advancements in GenAI.On January 30, 2026, David N. Farr, a director at IBM (NYSE:IBM), purchased 1,000 ...