Reddit's Leading AI Stocks: Reasons Traders Favor IBM and ASML Over Other AI Investments
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 11 2025
0mins
Should l Buy IBM?
Source: Yahoo Finance
IBM's Acquisition of Confluent: IBM acquired Confluent for $11 billion in cash, a 34% premium, to enhance its capabilities in real-time data streaming for AI applications, which has generated significant retail trader interest and support on platforms like Reddit.
IBM's Financial Performance: IBM's AI business reached $9.5 billion in Q3, with a 17% year-over-year increase in infrastructure revenue, reflecting a strong market position and a strategic approach to AI investments.
ASML's Market Position: ASML reported $7.52 billion in Q3 revenue with a 29.4% profit margin, benefiting from its monopoly in extreme ultraviolet lithography technology, crucial for AI chip manufacturing, which has also attracted retail trader enthusiasm.
Shifts in Retail Sentiment: Both IBM and ASML are seen as solid investments in the AI sector, with retail traders favoring profitable companies over speculative growth, indicating a shift in market sentiment towards value-focused investments.
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Analyst Views on IBM
Wall Street analysts forecast IBM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for IBM is 315.80 USD with a low forecast of 210.00 USD and a high forecast of 375.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 298.930
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
Current: 298.930
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
About IBM
International Business Machines Corporation is a provider of global hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) and consulting expertise. The Company’s segments include Software, Consulting, Infrastructure and Financing. The Software segment includes hybrid cloud and AI platforms, which allow clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. The Consulting segment focuses on integrating skills on strategy, experience, technology and operations by domain and industry. The Infrastructure segment is focused on the hybrid cloud infrastructure market, providing on-premises and cloud-based server and storage solutions. In addition, it offers a portfolio of life-cycle services for hybrid cloud infrastructure deployment. The Financing segment provides client and commercial financing, facilitating its clients’ acquisition of hardware, software and services. It helps clients in more than 175 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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