Summary
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) reported its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018. For the third quarter, revenue was $18.8 billion, a slight decrease of 2.1% from the prior year, but flat adjusted for currency. Net income was $2.7 billion, or $2.94 per diluted share. On an operating (non-GAAP) basis, which excludes certain items like acquisition-related charges and non-operating retirement costs, operating earnings were $3.1 billion, or $3.42 per diluted share, representing a 4.9% increase year-over-year. The company highlighted continued strength in strategic imperatives, particularly cloud and security offerings, despite a revenue decline in its Cognitive Solutions segment. For the first nine months, revenue increased 2.2% to $57.8 billion, and net income was $6.8 billion, or $7.37 per diluted share. Operating earnings were $8.2 billion, or $8.96 per diluted share, up 4.9% from the prior year. IBM generated strong cash flow from operations, amounting to $11.1 billion for the nine-month period. The company also continued its commitment to returning value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Management expressed confidence in the company's long-term strategy, focusing on innovative technologies like AI and cloud, and maintaining a strong financial position. The company reaffirmed its full-year 2018 outlook for both GAAP and operating earnings per share and free cash flow.
Financial Highlights
51 data points| Revenue | $18.76B |
| Cost of Revenue | $9.95B |
| Gross Profit | $8.80B |
| R&D Expenses | $1.25B |
| SG&A Expenses | $4.36B |
| Operating Income | $6.77B |
| Interest Expense | $191.00M |
| Net Income | $2.69B |
| EPS (Basic) | $2.95 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $2.94 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 911.15M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 915.21M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total revenue for the third quarter was $18.8 billion, down 2.1% year-over-year but flat adjusted for currency, reflecting mixed segment performance.
- 2Net income for the third quarter was $2.7 billion, or $2.94 per diluted share. Operating (non-GAAP) earnings were $3.1 billion, or $3.42 per diluted share, up 4.9% year-over-year.
- 3Strategic imperatives, including cloud and security, showed continued growth, with cloud revenue increasing 13% (adjusted for currency) year-over-year in the third quarter.
- 4Global Business Services (GBS) revenue increased 0.9% year-over-year (2.5% adjusted for currency) in the third quarter, driven by consulting services.
- 5Systems revenue saw a modest increase of 0.9% year-over-year (1.8% adjusted for currency) in the third quarter, with strong growth in IBM Z and Power Systems.
- 6Cash flow from operating activities for the first nine months of 2018 was $11.1 billion, an increase from the prior year.
- 7The company reaffirmed its full-year 2018 outlook, expecting GAAP earnings per share of at least $11.60 and operating earnings per share of at least $13.80.