IBM Forecast Tops Estimates After Earnings Rise on Software
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International Business Machines Corp., the world’s biggest computer-services provider, forecast 2012 earnings exceeding analysts’ estimates after fourth-quarter profit rose 4.4 percent because of rising software demand.
Earnings, excluding some items, will increase to at least $14.85 a share this year, Armonk, New York-based IBM said today. Analysts projected $14.81, the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Fourth-quarter operating earnings advanced to $4.71 a share, beating the $4.62 analysts predicted.