On Monday morning, Stifel cut its estimates on International Business Machines (IBM). Here’s what the move means for mutual fund investors.
Inside the Analyst Move
Stifel analyst David Grossman lowered his FY2015 earnings estimates on IBM from $16.00 to $15.17 per share, but maintained a “Buy” rating on the company.
The analyst noted: “Headwinds from the hardware business should abate as 2015 progresses and product issues are being addressed; the cyclical issues are harder to predict, but comparisons get much easier in 2015, particularly in the second half.”
Limited Revenue Growth
Like many mature technology companies, IBM has struggled to grow its revenue. The stock is currently trading at just 10x 2015 earnings estimates, but its weak sales growth remains a concern. Despite this concern, value investors and fund managers may begin to see the stock as more attractive as its yield approaches 3%.
Mutual Funds to Watch
Investors interested in IBM may also be interested in the funds listed below. These funds currently have the largest stakes in the company.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index | 1.68% |
| VFINX | Vanguard 500 Index | 1.00% |
| FUSEX | Fidelity Spartan® 500 Index | 0.42% |
The Bottom Line
The funds listed above allow investors to gain exposure to IBM while remaining diversified. Investors interested in IBM may be interested in Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL).