Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM)

$24.99

Return on Equity (ROE)
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

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Calculation

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

Microsoft Excel
ROE = 100 × Net income attributable to IBM1 ÷ Total IBM stockholders’ equity1
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 equity (ROE) exhibited significant fluctuations over the period from 2005 to 2025. Initial years demonstrated a consistent upward trend, followed by periods of volatility and, more recently, stabilization with some renewed growth.

Initial Growth (2005-2008)
From 2005 to 2008, ROE increased substantially, moving from 23.97% to a peak of 91.60%. This period reflects a strong increase in net income attributable to the company, coupled with a decrease in total stockholders’ equity in 2008, which amplified the ROE calculation. The substantial jump in 2008 warrants further investigation into the underlying factors contributing to both the income increase and equity reduction.
High Volatility (2009-2015)
Following 2008, ROE remained at elevated levels through 2015, though with considerable year-over-year variation. It ranged from a low of 65.07% in 2015 to a high of 101.30% in 2010. This period suggests a continued ability to generate profits relative to equity, but also indicates inconsistency in performance. Net income remained relatively high during this time, but fluctuations in stockholders’ equity contributed to the ROE volatility.
Decline and Stabilization (2016-2020)
A marked decline in ROE was observed from 2016 to 2020. Starting at 65.07% in 2016, it decreased to 7.47% in 2020. This decline coincided with a significant reduction in net income, particularly in 2017 and 2020, while stockholders’ equity generally increased. This suggests a weakening in the company’s profitability relative to its equity base.
Recent Trends (2021-2025)
From 2021 onwards, ROE showed signs of recovery. It increased from 7.47% in 2020 to 32.45% in 2025. This improvement is attributable to an increase in net income, alongside fluctuations in total stockholders’ equity. The most recent years indicate a potential stabilization and positive trend, although the ROE remains below the levels seen in the earlier part of the analyzed period.

Overall, the ROE demonstrates a complex pattern. While the company demonstrated periods of exceptionally high returns, it also experienced significant volatility and a substantial decline in profitability relative to equity. The recent upward trend suggests a potential turnaround, but continued monitoring is necessary to assess the sustainability of this improvement.

Comparison to Competitors

International Business Machines Corp., ROE, 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., ROE, 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., ROE, 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).