CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (“CMG” or the “Company”) (TSX: CMG) today announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) has accepted a notice (the “Notice”) filed by the Company to amend its Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”) effective as of February 26, 2026. The amendment increases the maximum number of common shares (the “Shares”) of the Company that may be repurchased from 4,136,475 Shares, representing 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares as of Nov ...

Core Insights - IBM plans to triple its entry-level hiring in the US by 2026, despite the perception that AI is reducing opportunities for early-career workers across various industries [2] - The increase in hiring will span multiple departments, indicating a broad approach rather than a focus on a single area [2] - Changes in job roles for junior employees are occurring, with AI handling routine tasks, allowing them to engage more with customers and support real-world implementations [3] Group 1: Hiring Strategy - IBM's chief human resources officer, Nickle LaMoreaux, has revised entry-level job descriptions to justify the expansion of hiring at this level [3] - The company acknowledges that while cutting entry-level hiring may reduce short-term costs, it poses long-term risks by potentially hindering the development of future mid-level managers [4] - Internal hires are generally more familiar with the company's systems and culture, which can lead to a smoother transition compared to external hires [5] Group 2: Business Segments - IBM operates in several segments, including Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing, providing hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting services globally [5]

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer shared his thoughts on. Cramer believes that the stock has “a lot more room to run,” as he stated: … They reported, and boy, that stock soared 5% today in response to an unambiguously good quarter. Closed at $309… Long story short, it was an amazing quarter, and I’m betting IBM has a lot more room to run even after today’s rally. Now, some of that’s simply because IBM rolled out a terrific full-year forecast for 2026 la ...

Core Insights - IBM is a global technology leader focusing on cloud computing, AI, and quantum computing, competing with major players like Microsoft and Amazon [1] Financial Performance - Jefferies set a price target of $360 for IBM, indicating a potential increase of 23.5% from its current price of $291.50 [2] - IBM's stock has surged by 33% over the past year, outperforming competitors Microsoft and Amazon, which gained 14.2% and 2.9% respectively [2][6] - The overall industry growth stands at 79.1%, highlighting IBM's strong performance relative to its peers [2] Strategic Initiatives - IBM's growth is bolstered by strategic acquisitions, such as HashiCorp, aimed at enhancing its AI and multi-cloud infrastructure tools [3] - The company is advancing in quantum computing with a new quantum processor and collaboration with Cisco on quantum networking technology [3] Quantum Computing Leadership - IBM is recognized as a leader in quantum computing, with a roadmap to achieve significant milestones in the next decade [4] - The company is nearing $1 billion in cumulative signings related to quantum computing and collaborates with hundreds of partners [5] - IBM's efforts in quantum computing are expected to lead to advancements in various industries, addressing challenges like error correction [5]

International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is included among the 12 Best Dogs of the Dow to Invest in. IBM and Pearson Team Up on AI-Powered Learning IBM and Pearson announced on December 11 that they are teaming up on a global partnership focused on AI-powered learning. The goal is to build more personalized learning tools for businesses, public-sector groups, and schools. These products are designed to help individuals acquire the right skills more quickly and transition smoothly between ro ...

Company Overview - Amcor PLC manufactures and sells packaging products across various regions including Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific, and offers a robust 6.3% dividend [1][5] - Franklin Resources, known as Franklin Templeton, is a global money manager with a 5.51% dividend, and its stock has increased by 15.44% over the past six months [5][13] - Chevron Corp. is an integrated energy corporation specializing in oil and gas, providing a 4.59% dividend, with significant ownership by Berkshire Hathaway [9][10] Dividend Aristocrats - The 2025 S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list includes 69 companies that have increased dividends for 25 consecutive years, appealing to passive income investors [3] - Companies must meet specific criteria to be included in the Dividend Aristocrats list, such as being a member of the S&P 500 and having a market capitalization of at least $3 billion [2][3] Investment Characteristics - Passive income is defined as earnings generated without continuous active effort, making it attractive for those seeking financial independence [4] - Realty Income Corp. is structured as a REIT, providing a 5.59% dividend and a history of consistent monthly dividends, appealing to growth and income investors [22][23] Company Segments - Amcor operates through two segments: Flexibles, which provides packaging for food, beverage, and personal care, and Rigid Packaging, which offers containers for various food and beverage products [6][8] - IBM operates through four segments: Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing, providing integrated solutions and services globally [17][20] Strategic Partnerships - IBM has strategic partnerships with major tech companies such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, enhancing its service offerings [18][21]

Core Insights - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is up nearly 13% year to date, with leading stocks not being pure AI plays but rather companies like Caterpillar, Goldman Sachs, and IBM [1][2][3] Caterpillar (CAT) - Caterpillar has seen a significant stock increase of approximately 66.3% year to date, driven by strong global demand for construction and mining equipment [4] - Despite a decline in adjusted profits to $4.95 per share on $17.6 billion in sales, sales rose by 10% due to higher end-user equipment volumes [5] - The U.S. infrastructure push and lower interest rates have contributed to a substantial backlog, indicating sustained revenue visibility [6] - Caterpillar is also pivoting towards AI-enabling infrastructure, with partnerships that position it as a beneficiary of the tech boom [7] - Analysts view Caterpillar as a hybrid play, justifying a forward earnings multiple of 27 times [8] Goldman Sachs (GS) - Goldman Sachs ranks second among Dow leaders with a stock increase of over 49% year to date, attributed to a rebound in dealmaking and economic stability [9] - The third-quarter earnings were $12.25 per share on $15.2 billion in revenue, surpassing estimates [9][10] - The firm has advised on over $1 trillion in announced M&A volume this year, benefiting from sustained trading revenues and a healthy growth outlook [10] - Goldman Sachs' institutional focus allows it to capture upside from corporate optimism, driving shares to an all-time high of $856 [11] IBM (IBM) - IBM has achieved a 40% year-to-date gain, with shares nearing record closing highs of approximately $308 [12] - The turnaround is driven by software and consulting segments, with third-quarter revenue up 7% to $16.3 billion at constant currency [12] - The watsonx AI platform and Red Hat integration have boosted bookings and hybrid cloud adoption, with a consulting backlog of $31 billion [13] - IBM is also making strides in quantum computing and has raised full-year guidance to 5% growth and $14 billion in free cash flow [14]

Group 1: Quantum Computing Market Overview - Rigetti Computing has seen a significant increase in stock price, trading up 667% over the past year, despite a 57% drop from its all-time highs in October [1] - Quantum computing stocks are gaining attention due to their potential to outperform traditional computing, with expectations of commercialization in the future [2] Group 2: Risks and Comparisons - Pure-play quantum stocks like Rigetti are considered high-risk due to their multibillion-dollar market caps and minimal revenue, suggesting a preference for more stable investments [4] - IBM is highlighted as a safer investment option, being a well-established company with a diverse business model beyond quantum computing [5][11] Group 3: IBM's Quantum Computing Initiatives - IBM has introduced its advanced quantum system, the IBM Nighthawk, featuring 120 qubits and 218 next-generation tunable couplers, positioning itself as a leader in quantum computing [6] - The company anticipates producing quantum computers at scale by 2029, which could solve problems beyond the capabilities of traditional computers [9] Group 4: Financial Performance and Growth - IBM has experienced a stock increase of over 37% this year, reflecting investor confidence in its transformation and growth strategies [11] - The company generates substantial revenue from its software, consulting, and hardware sectors, providing a solid foundation while also offering exposure to quantum computing advancements [12]

Core Viewpoint - Computer Modelling Group Ltd. ("CMG") has announced its intention to commence a Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB") for its common shares, allowing for the purchase of up to 4,136,475 shares, representing 5% of the issued and outstanding shares as of November 3, 2025 [1][2][6] Group 1 - The NCIB will provide CMG with the flexibility to pursue both acquisition opportunities and share repurchases, aiming to enhance long-term shareholder value [2][6] - The company plans to purchase shares over a 12-month period starting November 14, 2025, with a daily purchase limit of 53,297 shares, based on the average daily trading volume [2][3] - All shares purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled, which is expected to increase the equity interest of remaining shareholders [3][6] Group 2 - CMG has entered into an automatic share purchase plan (ASPP) with a designated broker to facilitate share purchases during periods when the company would typically be restricted from buying shares [4][5] - The ASPP allows the designated broker to make purchases at its discretion based on parameters set by CMG prior to any blackout periods [5] - The board of directors believes that share repurchases may be a desirable use of corporate funds, as the market price may not fully reflect the underlying value of the company [6] Group 3 - CMG is a global software and consulting company focused on solving complex challenges in the new energy industry, with a presence in multiple international locations [7]

Core Insights - Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (CMG Group) reported its financial results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2025, highlighting a cash dividend approval of $0.01 per Common Share for the second quarter [1][12] Financial Performance - Total revenue increased by 2% to $30.2 million, with a 17% organic decline and 19% growth from acquisitions [7] - Recurring revenue rose by 13% to $20.7 million, driven by a 22% growth from acquisitions despite a 9% organic decline [7] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 25% to $7.6 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 25%, down from 34% in the previous year [7][21] - Earnings per share fell by 40% to $0.03, while Free Cash Flow decreased by 68% to $2.0 million [7][10] - For the six months, total revenue was flat at $59.8 million, with a 15% organic decline and 15% growth from acquisitions [7] Acquisitions and Strategic Moves - CMG Group completed its third significant acquisition, SeisWare International Inc., enhancing its Seismic Solutions portfolio [5] - A multi-year simulation software licensing agreement with Shell was announced, marking a significant product development relationship [6] - The company closed a $100 million credit facility to support its acquisition strategy and manage market volatility [8] Market Dynamics - The energy market remains volatile with muted commodity prices, leading to longer sales cycles and a slower pace in closing new opportunities [5] - The decline in organic revenue was primarily due to lower perpetual software license sales and reductions in professional services [9] Future Outlook - Revenue in the second half of the year is expected to be higher than in the first half, with organic recurring revenue growth anticipated to turn positive in the fourth quarter [10] - Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow are expected to improve in the second half, although full-year Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be lower compared to the previous fiscal year [11]