Sunday, January 5, 2025

IBM is an old dog, with some serious and cutting edge, new tricks in Ai and Quantum technology for 2025 - We-re adding!

IBM Business and Investment Report: 2025

Introduction

IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) is a global technology leader with a storied history in computing and innovation. Founded in 1911, the company has consistently evolved to remain at the forefront of technological advancement. IBM’s current focus areas include quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and hybrid IT solutions, positioning it as a key player in shaping the future of technology.

Key Business Lines

Quantum Computing:
- IBM Quantum offers access to the world’s largest fleet of quantum computers through IBM Cloud. The company has made significant advancements, such as its recent 433-qubit quantum processor, and aims to launch a 1000+ qubit system by 2025.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with universities, governments, and enterprises, including ExxonMobil, JPMorgan Chase, and Daimler, to explore quantum applications in energy, finance, and materials science.
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
- IBM Watson remains a leader in enterprise AI, offering solutions in healthcare, financial services, and customer engagement.
- Recent innovations include Watsonx, a platform tailored for training, deploying, and managing AI models, designed to accelerate AI adoption across industries.
Hybrid Cloud:
- IBM Cloud, combined with Red Hat OpenShift, drives its hybrid cloud strategy. This business line enables enterprises to manage workloads seamlessly across public and private clouds.
- Partnerships: Collaborations with SAP, Salesforce, and Oracle to enhance cloud offerings and enterprise integrations.
Blockchain:
- IBM Blockchain provides enterprise-grade blockchain solutions, focusing on supply chain, food safety, and financial transactions.
Mainframe Systems:
- IBM Z remains critical for banking, government, and large-scale enterprises requiring secure, high-performance computing.

Financial Overview

2024 Revenues: $62 billion (estimated growth of 5% YoY driven by cloud and AI solutions).
Profitability:
- Operating Margin: 15%.
- EPS (Earnings Per Share): $8.90 (2024).
Debt and Liquidity:
- Total Debt: $45 billion.
- Cash Reserves: $9 billion.
Dividend:
- Current yield: 5.1%, reflecting IBM’s long-standing commitment to shareholder returns.

Major Clients and Customers

Industries Served:
- Financial Services: JPMorgan Chase, Citibank.
- Healthcare: Mayo Clinic, CVS Health.
- Retail: Walmart, Kroger.
- Government: Partnerships with the US Department of Energy and several global governments for AI and quantum projects.
Key Customers:
- ExxonMobil (quantum computing applications in energy).
- Siemens (industrial AI solutions).
- Delta Air Lines (cloud and operational analytics).

Ownership and Fund Interest

Institutional Ownership: Approximately 58% of shares held by institutions.
Top Investors:
- Vanguard Group: 8%.
- BlackRock: 7%.
- State Street: 5%.
Mutual Fund Interest:
- Strong presence in technology-focused ETFs and dividend income funds.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Research Collaborations:
- MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab focuses on advancing AI technologies.
- Joint quantum computing research with the University of Chicago and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Enterprise Partnerships:
- Salesforce: AI-driven customer engagement tools.
- SAP: Cloud and AI integrations.
- Palantir: AI-enabled data analytics.

FutureTech Innovations Impacting Growth

Quantum Computing:
- Expected commercialization of quantum computing applications by 2025 in cryptography, drug discovery, and optimization problems.
- Increased revenue from quantum computing services projected to grow by 40% annually.
AI and Generative Models:
- Watsonx positioned to dominate enterprise AI platforms, leveraging IBM’s industry-specific expertise.
- Growth in AI-driven healthcare diagnostics and financial fraud detection tools.
Carbon Nanotube Transistors:
- IBM leads research in carbon nanotube-based transistors, aiming for post-silicon semiconductor breakthroughs by 2026. (25,000 times thinner than a human hair)
- Potential applications include ultra-thin GPUs and high-efficiency processors.
Sustainability and Green IT:
- IBM’s commitment to sustainability includes energy-efficient data centers and green IT solutions.
- Partnerships with renewable energy providers to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Growth Prospects for 2025

Revenue Growth: Projected CAGR of 6-7%, driven by hybrid cloud, AI, and quantum computing.
Market Leadership:
- Strengthening its position as a leader in enterprise AI and cloud solutions.
- Quantum computing likely to contribute significantly to revenues as enterprise adoption increases.
- IBM now generates revenue from deploying quantum systems and services to more than 250 customers.
Risks:
- Competition from AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud in the cloud computing space.
- High R&D costs associated with emerging technologies.

Conclusion

IBM remains a compelling investment opportunity, leveraging its leadership in AI, quantum computing, and hybrid cloud solutions. Its focus on next-generation technologies such as carbon nanotubes and its commitment to sustainability position the company for long-term growth. With strong institutional backing, a diversified client base, and robust financial health, IBM is well-poised to capitalize on technological advancements in 2025 and beyond.

What is "Quantum Ai" and which companies are best positioned to develop and prosper from this cutting edge, new age, technology!

Google's disclosure of their new "Willow" quantum chip adds to the value of their "futuretech" franchise, which is growing in all the right places.

As the necessity for Quantum Communication grows, there is one microcap company that may become a crucial acquisition target!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Focus Graphite Announces R&D Agreement Between Grafoid Inc. and Hydro-Quebec's IREQ for Next Generation LFP-Graphene Batteries

20 hours ago by Marketwire Focus Graphite Inc (TSX VENTURE: FMS)(OTCQX: FCSMF)(FRANKFURT: FKC) is pleased to announce that Grafoid Inc. - in which Focus Graphite holds a 40% ownership stake - has executed a three-year research and development agreement with Hydro-Quebec's Research Institute for the development of next generation rechargeable batteries using graphene with lithium iron phosphate materials.

Focus Graphite President and CEO Gary Economo, who holds the same position with Grafoid, announced the signing of the joint R&D agreement with Dr. Karim Zaghib, Director Storage and Conversion of Energy at Hydro-Quebec's research and development division, l'Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Quebec (IREQ).
The 50-50 collaborative agreement sets out terms with the objective of creating patentable inventions by combining graphene, supplied by Grafoid, with Hydro-Quebec's patented lithium iron phosphate technologies.

Two key, specific commercial target markets - the rechargeable automobile battery sectors and batteries for mobile electronic devices used in smartphones, computing tablets and laptop computers - were identified in the agreement.

Hydro-Quebec will study Grafoid's graphene conductivity, electrochemical performance and its effects in electrode formulations, electrolyte and separator optimizations. Detailed characterizations of Grafoid's supplied materials will be undertaken at IREQ's cutting edge facilities using its advanced electron microscopy, spectrographic and other in-house technologies.

Hydro-Quebec will also supply lithium iron phosphate materials and its electrochemistry know how which it acquired under license from famed American inventor Dr. John Goodenough.

Grafoid, in addition to providing graphene materials, brings knowledge acquired during its own development of functionalized graphene and its experience in proving graphene's economic scalability.

"This agreement is noteworthy for numerous reasons," said Mr. Economo.

"This is our first major graphene collaboration with a Quebec and a Canadian global giant in renewable energy research and development. And the source of our graphene is Focus Graphite's Lac Knife, Quebec technology graphite deposit.

"Commercially, and ultimately, our technology development partnership with Hydro-Quebec aims to produce high capacity, LFP-graphene batteries with ultra short charging times and longer recyclable lifetimes," Mr. Economo said.

He said the parties chose to focus their collaboration on LFP-graphene batteries and materials because of their short-term-to-market potential.

About Focus Graphite
Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mid-tier junior mining development company, a technology solutions supplier and a business innovator. Focus is the owner of the Lac Knife graphite deposit located in the Cote-Nord region of northeastern Quebec. The Lac Knife project hosts a NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated mineral resource of 4.972 Mt grading 15.7% carbon as crystalline graphite with an additional Inferred mineral resource of 3.000 Mt grading 15.6% crystalline graphite Focus' goal is to assume an industry leadership position by becoming a low-cost producer of technology-grade graphite. On October 29th, 2012 the Company released the results of a Preliminary Economic Analysis ("PEA") of the Lac Knife project which demonstrates that the project has robust economics and excellent potential to become a profitable producer of graphite. As a technology-oriented enterprise with a view to building long-term, sustainable shareholder value, Focus Graphite is also investing in the development of graphene applications and patents through Grafoid Inc.

About Grafoid Inc.
Grafoid, Inc. is a privately held Canadian corporation investing in graphene applications and economically scalable production processes for graphene and graphene derivatives from raw, unprocessed, graphite ore. Focus Graphite Inc., holds a 40% interest in Grafoid Inc.

About IREQ
Hydro-Quebec's research institute, IREQ, is a global leader in the development of advanced materials for battery manufacturing and creates leading edge processes from its state of the art facilities. IREQ holds more than 100 patent rights and has issued over 40 licenses for battery materials to some of the world's most successful battery manufacturers and materials suppliers. Its areas of expertise include energy storage and IREQ is a lead partner with private sector companies in Quebec to build EV and HEV charging stations in support of its technology developments. Its material development contributions are helping to develop safe, high-performance lithium ion batteries that can be charged more quickly and a greater number of times. IREQ promotes open innovation and partners with private firms, universities, government agencies and research centers in Quebec and abroad. Its partnerships allow IREQ to develop, industrialize and market technologies resulting from those innovation projects.
About Hydro-Quebec
Hydro-Quebec is Canada's largest electricity producer among the world's largest hydroelectric power producers and a public utility that generates, transmits and distributes electricity. Its sole shareholder is the Quebec government. It primarily exploits renewable generating options, in particular hydropower, and supports the development of wind energy through purchases from independent power producers. Its research institute, IREQ, conducts R&D in energy efficiency, energy storage and other energy-related fields. Hydro-Quebec invests more than $100 million per year in research.

Contacts:
Focus Graphite Inc.
Mr. Gary Economo
President and CEO
613-691-1091 ext. 101
geconomo@focusgraphite.com

SOURCE: Focus Graphite Inc.

mailto:geconomo@focusgraphite.com