International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) saw its shares rise 3.1% on Friday, closing at $298.93. The stock traded between $289.30 and $299.86 during the session, ending the week on a strong note ahead of several key corporate events.
Market Context and Upcoming Catalysts
The advance occurred amid a broader market rebound, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing above 50,000 for the first time. Investor sentiment improved as focus shifted to AI spending, despite recent concerns over its impact on growth and margins.
IBM's upcoming dividend record date is set for February 10, with a payout of $1.68 per share scheduled for March 10. More immediately, Confluent shareholders are scheduled to vote on February 12 regarding IBM's proposed $11 billion all-cash acquisition of the data infrastructure company.
Contract News and Performance
Adding to the positive momentum, IBM announced on Thursday that it secured a contract to support the Missile Defense Agency's SHIELD program. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity agreement has a potential ceiling of $151 billion, though actual revenue will depend on future task orders.
IBM outperformed several mega-cap technology peers during Friday's session, according to market data. The stock finished roughly 8% below its 52-week high, trading on volume slightly below its 50-day average.
Looking ahead, the company has tentatively scheduled its first-quarter 2026 earnings report for April 22. Investors will monitor whether the stock can maintain momentum near the $300 level following Friday's rally, especially with the Confluent shareholder vote and dividend record date looming.