IBM’s Software segment offers hybrid cloud platform and software solutions, such as Red Hat, an enterprise open-source solutions; software for business automation, AIOps and management, integration, and application servers; data and artificial intelligence solutions; and security software and services for threat, data and identity. This segment also provides transaction processing software that supports clients’ mission-critical and on-premise workloads in banking, airlines and retail industries.
The Consulting segment offers business transformation services, including strategy, business process design and operations, data and analytics, and system integration services; technology consulting services; and application and cloud platform services.
The Infrastructure segment provides on-premises and cloud-based server and storage solutions for its clients’ mission-critical and regulated workloads; and support services and solutions for hybrid cloud infrastructure, as well as remanufacturing and remarketing services for used equipment.
The Financing segment offers lease, installment payment, loan financing and short-term working capital financing services.
The dividend yield here is 4.75%. Credit Suisse’s $166 price target compares with the $143.63 consensus target on IBM stock and Thursday’s closing print of $139.06.
Verizon
This top telecommunications stock offers tremendous value at current levels, and Berkshire Hathaway owns 158.8 million shares. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) is one of the largest U.S. telecom companies. It provides wireless and wireline service to retail, enterprise and wholesale customers.
The company’s wireless network serves approximately 120 million mobile connections with 115 million postpaid subscribers. Its wireline business has undergone a period of secular decline due to wireless substitution and cable competition.
Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and it delivers integrated business solutions to customers worldwide.
Investors receive a 5.07% dividend. The target price on Verizon Communications stock at BofA Securities is $64. The consensus target is $60.64, and the shares closed at $50.49 on Thursday.
These top companies have been around for decades and will still be here long after the current inflation nightmare is contained. Given that earnings reports for the second quarter are starting to come out fast and furious, it makes sense to buy partial positions now and wait for the results. The advantage to quality blue chips like the stocks mentioned here is investors are paid handsomely to wait out the bear market.
Originally posted at 24/7 Wall St.
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