IBM Beats Estimates on Emerging Markets; Shares Climb

(Bloomberg) -- International Business Machines Corp., the world's biggest computer-services company, posted earnings and sales that topped analysts' projections as orders from Asia and Europe bolstered results.

IBM advanced 8 percent in early trading, which would be the most in more than five years if it holds when U.S. markets open. Fourth-quarter profit climbed to $2.80 a share and sales rose to $28.9 billion, exceeding predictions by more than $1 billion.

Business in Asia, Europe and developing countries drove results, Chief Executive Officer Samuel Palmisano said today in a statement. The remarks eased concern that slowing economic growth in the U.S. will drag down technology company profits and marked a reversal from the previous quarter, when IBM disappointed investors with slack hardware sales.

IBM rose $7.85 to $105.52 in early trading after closing at $97.67 on Jan. 11 on the New York Stock Exchange. The Armonk, New York-based company's shares climbed 11 percent last year.

Analysts anticipated profit from continuing operations of $2.60 a share and revenue of $27.7 billion, according to the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The company plans to report full results on Jan. 17.

 

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