CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:
Q1 2026 results modestly exceeded expectations with sales of $15.9B (+9% Y/Y) and non-GAAP EPS of $1.91 (+19%), beating consensus of $15.7B and $1.81, respectively. Constant currency sales growth of 6% reflected deceleration from the prior two quarters' +9% and +7%, but management maintained 2026 guidance for constant currency revenue growth of "more than 5%" and FCF of about $15.7B. Software growth decelerated to 8% in constant currency from 11% in Q4 and 9% in Q3, a potential red flag for the bears, though Red Hat rebounded to +10% from +8% in Q4. Thus, we expect consistent ~20% bookings growth in recent periods should support low-teens sales growth this year. Infrastructure remained robust at +12% constant currency growth, with IBM Z sales up 51% Y/Y, though growth faces tougher comps ahead. We view IBM's 110 bps of Y/Y operating margin expansion as impressive, while Consulting's resilience (sales +1%, signings +10%) should counter fears around Anthropic-related COBOL competition, at least for now.