IBM, US4592001014

IBM stock heads into October 21 earnings with a 24-analyst Buy consensus

Published on 10/05/2026 at 23:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

IBM stock was last at USD 221.58 on October 5, 2026, while its 52-week range runs from USD 199.19 to USD 332.46. Q3 results are scheduled for October 21.

Architectural exterior photograph of a modern corporate research campus, a curved multi-story glass and steel building with a dramatic angular glass atrium entrance, reflected in a long still water feature surrounded by manicured lawns and ornamental plan — IBM Forschungszentrum modernes Glasgebäude mit ikonischer Fassade und großem Wasserbecken neutral US4592001014, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

IBM stock (ISIN US4592001014) was last at USD 221.58 on the NYSE on October 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET, down 0.48 percent from the previous close. IBM's next quarterly report is scheduled for October 21, 2026, after market close, according to Stock Analysis.

October 21 report sets the test

The upcoming report will show whether IBM can repair the gap between its software momentum and its weaker infrastructure performance. The comparison matters because second-quarter revenue rose only 1.1 percent year over year to USD 17.16 billion, while quarterly revenue missed the USD 17.46 billion consensus estimate, according to TickerScout.

IBM's second-quarter GAAP diluted EPS was USD 2.27, down 2 percent year over year, while operating diluted EPS reached USD 2.93, up 5 percent. Net cash from operating activities totaled USD 2.6 billion for the quarter, giving the results a stronger cash profile than the revenue growth alone suggests, TickerScout reported in its summary of the July 22 filing.

Software growth meets infrastructure weakness

The operating split is central to the October report. Software revenue grew 5 percent in the second quarter, with Red Hat revenue up 11 percent, while infrastructure revenue fell 7 percent and IBM Z revenue declined 42 percent, according to TickerScout.

Management narrowed its full-year 2026 constant-currency revenue-growth outlook to 4 percent to 5 percent from more than 5 percent previously. That change gives the next report two jobs: demonstrate that the IBM Z shortfall is contained and show that AI-related software demand can support group growth.

Consensus stays above the share price

Analyst sentiment remains constructive despite the operating risk. MarketBeat reports a Moderate Buy consensus from 32 analysts and an average price target of USD 253.52, with 18 Buy ratings, 12 Hold ratings and 2 Sell ratings.

Against the October 5 price of USD 221.58, that consensus target is 14.4 percent higher. The estimate is a market expectation rather than a company forecast, and its usefulness now depends on whether IBM's October results support a recovery in infrastructure and sustained software expansion.

IBM stock remains below its yearly high

IBM stock was last at USD 221.58 on the NYSE on October 5, 2026, with a 52-week range of USD 199.19 to USD 332.46. Its market capitalization was USD 208.8 billion and trading volume was 6,309,080 shares on the same date.