ETFs in Focus as IBM Reports Mixed Q3 Results
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 24 2024
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Should l Buy IBM?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
IBM's Q3 2024 Results: IBM reported mixed results for the third quarter of 2024, beating earnings estimates with $2.30 per share but falling short on revenue at $14.97 billion, leading to a decline in its stock price by over 8% in after-hours trading.
Focus on AI and ETFs: The company is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities, with generative AI bookings reaching $3 billion. Several ETFs heavily invested in IBM, such as First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund and FT Vest Technology Dividend Target Income ETF, are highlighted due to their significant allocations to the tech giant.
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Analyst Views on IBM
Wall Street analysts forecast IBM stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 272.810
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
Current: 272.810
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
About IBM
International Business Machines Corporation is a provider of global hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) and consulting expertise. The Company’s segments include Software, Consulting, Infrastructure and Financing. The Software segment includes hybrid cloud and AI platforms, which allow clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. The Consulting segment focuses on integrating skills on strategy, experience, technology and operations by domain and industry. The Infrastructure segment is focused on the hybrid cloud infrastructure market, providing on-premises and cloud-based server and storage solutions. In addition, it offers a portfolio of life-cycle services for hybrid cloud infrastructure deployment. The Financing segment provides client and commercial financing, facilitating its clients’ acquisition of hardware, software and services. It helps clients in more than 175 countries.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Strong Earnings: IBM's latest quarterly report reveals a 12% revenue growth to $19.7 billion, surpassing Wall Street's expectations of $19.23 billion, with adjusted earnings per share at $4.52, exceeding the anticipated $4.32, indicating robust performance in software and AI sectors.
- AI Risk Warning: Noted short seller Jim Chanos warns that IBM's AI strategy poses risks, asserting that the company operates more as a marketing and consulting firm rather than a technology leader, highlighting its 'India-centric body shop model' as a potential hindrance to future growth.
- Software Division Growth: IBM's software division saw a 14% revenue increase to $9 billion, driven by recent software acquisitions; Chanos pointed out that these acquisitions are not adequately reflected in the free cash flow definition, which may affect investor perceptions.
- Market Reaction: Despite strong earnings, IBM's stock fell approximately 4.8% during Thursday's trading session, reflecting market concerns over AI risks, particularly following Kyndryl Holdings' review of its accounting practices, leading to a cautious investor sentiment.
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- Stock Volatility: Palantir Technologies closed at $129.13, down 4.93%, primarily influenced by investor Michael Burry's bearish outlook on the company and the broader AI cycle, reflecting market concerns over its premium valuation.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 73.4 million shares, which is 61% above the three-month average of 45.6 million shares, indicating a significant increase in market interest in Palantir's stock despite the price decline.
- Strong Performance: Despite facing pressure, Palantir's fourth-quarter revenue increased by 70% year-over-year, with U.S. commercial revenue soaring by 137%, demonstrating robust demand for its AI platforms among enterprise and government clients, while management's guidance exceeded Wall Street expectations.
- Future Outlook: Recent upgrades from HSBC and Northland Securities highlight the potential for sustained growth, but the market's cautious stance on future returns suggests that Palantir's outlook will depend on whether its commercial momentum and margin expansion can justify its current high valuation.
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- Technical Warning: Datavault AI Inc (NASDAQ:DVLT) has just triggered a Death Cross signal, typically seen as a warning of sustained downside pressure, even as its business momentum accelerates, highlighting a conflict between technical and fundamental indicators.
- Poor Stock Performance: The company's stock has declined approximately 45% over the past year and nearly 30% year-to-date, currently trading well below its 52-week high of $4.10, reflecting a prolonged downtrend that keeps traders cautious.
- Super Bowl Showcase: Datavault showcased its 'ADIO' data-over-sound and holographic technologies during Super Bowl LX in partnership with NFL Alumni, demonstrating immersive data transmission on one of the world's largest stages, enhancing brand visibility.
- IBM Collaboration Expansion: The company has expanded its collaboration with IBM to deploy enterprise-grade AI at the edge through its SanQtum AI platform, further strengthening its positioning in infrastructure-level AI solutions.
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- Technological Advantage: IonQ's focus on trapped ion systems utilizes tiny lasers to trap ions in vacuum chambers, addressing the size and power consumption issues of traditional quantum computers, enabling operation at room temperature and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Low Error Rates: IonQ's trapped ion qubits exhibit consistency and predictability, achieving gate fidelity levels of up to 99.99%, significantly surpassing industry peers, which enhances computational accuracy and builds customer trust.
- Market Growth Potential: According to Fortune Business Insights, the quantum computing market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 34.8% from 2025 to 2032, positioning IonQ to capitalize on this growth with its innovative technology and product offerings.
- Revenue Expectations: Analysts expect IonQ's annual revenue to nearly triple from 2025 to 2028, reaching $317 million, and although its stock is currently valued at 38 times its projected 2027 sales, there remains substantial room for growth as the market expands.
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- Technological Advantage: IonQ's trapped ion technology utilizes lasers to confine ions in miniaturized vacuum chambers, allowing operation at room temperature, which makes it more compact and reduces energy consumption and operational costs compared to traditional electron-driven systems.
- High Fidelity: IonQ's qubits, being identical atoms, demonstrate more consistent behavior than electron-driven superconducting loops, enabling it to achieve gate fidelity levels of up to 99.99% in its two-qubit systems, significantly enhancing computational accuracy.
- Market Potential: According to Fortune Business Insights, the quantum computing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 34.8% from 2025 to 2032, with IonQ's revenue projected to nearly triple during this period, reaching $317 million as it scales its business.
- Product Diversity: IonQ currently sells four quantum computing systems, including its flagship Forte system and the upcoming Tempo system, while also offering cloud-based quantum computing services, which enhances its market competitiveness and customer base.
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- S&P 500 Forecast: Wall Street analysts predict an 18% increase in the S&P 500 to 8,200 over the next year, reflecting optimistic market sentiment about economic recovery, which may attract more investors into the market.
- Sector Performance: The information technology and consumer discretionary sectors are expected to grow by 33% and 22%, respectively, indicating that these industries will be focal points for investors, particularly through exposure via Vanguard ETFs.
- Vanguard Tech ETF Performance: The Vanguard Information Technology ETF achieved a total return of 776% over the past decade, equivalent to an annual growth of 24%, showcasing its strong performance in the tech sector, despite underperforming during market corrections.
- Concentration Risk Management: The top three stocks in the Vanguard Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary ETFs account for 44% and 43% of their performance, respectively, prompting investors to consider diversifying their portfolios to mitigate concentration risk and enhance resilience.
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