Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)

$24.99

Return on Assets (ROA)
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

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Calculation

International Business Machines Corp., ROA, long-term trends, calculation

Microsoft Excel
ROA = 100 × Net income attributable to IBM1 ÷ Total assets1
Dec 31, 2025 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2024 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2023 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2022 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2021 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2020 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2019 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2018 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2017 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2016 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2015 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2014 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2013 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2012 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2011 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2010 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2009 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2008 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2007 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2006 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2005 = 100 × ÷

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

The Return on Assets (ROA) exhibited a generally positive trend from 2005 through 2013, followed by increased volatility and a subsequent stabilization in later years. Net income attributable to IBM also demonstrated a generally increasing pattern during the initial period, with fluctuations occurring in more recent years. Total assets experienced growth until 2013, then decreased before increasing again, particularly in 2019 and 2025.

Overall ROA Trend (2005-2025)
From 2005 to 2013, ROA increased from 7.50% to 13.93%, indicating improving efficiency in utilizing assets to generate profit. The period between 2014 and 2017 saw a significant decline, with ROA falling to a low of 4.59% in 2017. A recovery followed, reaching 7.07% in 2018, but remained below the levels observed prior to 2014. The most recent years, 2021 through 2025, show a more stable ROA, fluctuating between 1.29% and 6.97%.
ROA and Net Income Relationship
The decline in ROA from 2014 to 2017 coincided with a decrease in net income. While net income recovered somewhat in 2018, ROA did not return to its previous peak. The substantial drop in net income in 2020 directly correlated with a significant decrease in ROA to 1.29%. The increase in ROA in 2022 and 2023 aligns with the corresponding increases in net income.
ROA and Total Assets Relationship
Total assets increased consistently from 2005 to 2013. During this period, ROA generally increased as well, suggesting effective asset management. The decrease in total assets from 2013 to 2016 did not necessarily translate into a proportional increase in ROA, indicating that factors beyond asset size were influencing profitability. The substantial increase in total assets in 2019 did not result in a commensurate increase in ROA, suggesting potential inefficiencies in asset utilization during that period. The increase in total assets in 2025 was accompanied by an increase in ROA.

In summary, the ROA demonstrates a complex pattern influenced by both net income and total asset levels. While a positive trend was evident in the earlier part of the period, more recent years have been characterized by greater volatility and a stabilization at a lower level compared to the peak observed in 2013. The relationship between ROA, net income, and total assets suggests that changes in profitability have a more direct impact on ROA than changes in asset size alone.

Comparison to Competitors

International Business Machines Corp., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to competitors

Microsoft Excel
International Business Machines Corp. Accenture PLC Adobe Inc. AppLovin Corp. Cadence Design Systems Inc. CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. Datadog Inc. Intuit Inc. Microsoft Corp. Oracle Corp. Palantir Technologies Inc. Palo Alto Networks Inc. Salesforce Inc. ServiceNow Inc. Synopsys Inc. Workday Inc.
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

Comparison to Sector (Software & Services)

International Business Machines Corp., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to sector (software & services)

Microsoft Excel
International Business Machines Corp. Software & Services
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

Comparison to Industry (Information Technology)

International Business Machines Corp., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to industry (information technology)

Microsoft Excel
International Business Machines Corp. Information Technology
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).