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HCKT vs IBM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? The Hackett Group (HCKT) vs. International Business Machines (IBM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- The Hackett Group (HCKT), a small-cap consulting firm, has delivered strong year-to-date gains of over 30%, trading near its 52-week low amid volatility.
- International Business Machines (IBM), a large-cap technology leader, posted robust Q1 2026 revenue growth of 9%, with year-to-date returns around 21% despite recent market weakness.
- IBM exhibits lower volatility (beta of 0.69) and superior scale (market cap over $218 billion) compared to HCKT's higher beta (1.05) and $340 million cap.
- Both firms operate in consulting and technology services, but IBM benefits from diversified AI and cloud drivers, while HCKT focuses on enterprise advisory.
- Dividend yields are competitive, with HCKT at 3.56% and IBM at 2.91%.
- Recent analyst sentiment supports HCKT with an average price target of $23.67, implying upside potential.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines HCKT and IBM, two players in the technology consulting and services sector. Investors seeking exposure to business transformation, IT advisory, and enterprise solutions may find value in evaluating their relative performance. Traders focused on short-term momentum contrast HCKT's small-cap volatility with IBM's large-cap stability. In the current market environment, marked by AI-driven innovation and economic uncertainty, understanding their business models, recent trends, and head-to-head metrics aids informed decision-making for portfolio positioning and stock comparison analysis.
HCKT Overview and Recent Performance
The Hackett Group (HCKT) is a global strategic consulting firm specializing in business transformation, enterprise performance management, and technology solutions like ERP implementations. It leverages proprietary benchmark data to advise Fortune 1000 companies on operational efficiency.
In recent market activity, HCKT shares have traded near the lower end of their 52-week range ($12.19–$26.76), closing around $13.49 with a market cap of approximately $340 million. Year-to-date returns exceed 30%, outperforming broader indices amid volatility, though one-year performance shows mixed results with a trailing P/E ratio (price-to-earnings, a measure of valuation relative to earnings) of 29.33. Sentiment has been influenced by solid Q4 2025 earnings beats and an upcoming Q1 2026 report, alongside analyst price target adjustments and a maintained Outperform rating. Factors like enterprise spending caution have pressured shares, but strong profitability (4.3% margins) and a 3.56% dividend yield support resilience.
IBM Overview and Recent Performance
International Business Machines (IBM) is a multinational technology corporation offering hybrid cloud platforms, AI solutions via Watson, consulting services, and infrastructure. Its diversified segments span software, infrastructure, and global business services for enterprise clients.
Recent weeks have seen IBM shares around $232, within a 52-week range of $220.72–$324.90, backed by a $218 billion market cap. Year-to-date gains stand at 21%, with a trailing P/E of 20.53 reflecting reasonable valuation. Q1 2026 results highlighted 9% revenue growth to $15.9 billion and software segment expansion of 11%, boosting sentiment despite post-earnings dips. Market positioning in AI infrastructure and shareholder approval of management proposals have countered recent weakness. High return on equity (ROE, a profitability metric measuring equity efficiency at 35.77%) and steady dividends (2.91% yield) underscore stability amid broader tech sector fluctuations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HCKT and IBM both serve enterprise clients with consulting and tech services, but differ sharply in scale and focus. HCKT’s niche in benchmarking and ERP drives growth via cost optimization demand, while IBM leverages AI, cloud, and infrastructure for broader revenue streams.
Recent momentum favors HCKT with stronger YTD returns from a low base, versus IBM’s steadier but softer gains. Risk profiles contrast: HCKT’s higher beta signals greater sensitivity to market swings and economic cycles, while IBM’s lower beta and diversification mitigate downside. Sector exposure tilts IBM toward high-growth AI/cloud, contrasting HCKT’s consulting cyclicality. Sentiment reflects IBM’s undervaluation signals and earnings strength against HCKT’s upside targets, highlighting trade-offs in growth potential versus stability for relative performance analysis.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward IBM due to its consistent trend in AI catalysts, earnings momentum, and relative stability amid market volatility. While HCKT shows short-term upside potential, IBM’s scale, lower risk profile, and positioning in high-conviction sectors like cloud infrastructure offer higher probability of sustained outperformance in the near term.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HCKT is a Buy and IBM is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HCKT’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileIBM’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- HCKT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- IBM’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HCKT’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IBM’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HCKT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- IBM’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HCKT (@Information Technology Services) experienced а +7.12% price change this week, while IBM (@Information Technology Services) price change was +8.86% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Information Technology Services industry was +1.65%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -16.03%, and the average quarterly price growth was +45.98%.
Reported Earning Dates
HCKT is expected to report earnings on Aug 11, 2026.
IBM is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Information Technology Services (+1.65% weekly)The industry, whose total market cap runs into trillions, makes hardware/software that allows data to be stored, retrieved, transmitted, and manipulated on computers. With the ever-increasing relevance of data, the information technology (IT) industry has gained momentous growth over the years, and continues to thrive on innovation. Some of the behemoths in the industry are International Business Machines Corporation, Accenture, and VMware, Inc.
| HCKT | IBM | HCKT / IBM | |
| Capitalization | 277M | 269B | 0% |
| EBITDA | 33.6M | 17.6B | 0% |
| Gain YTD | -41.288 | -2.096 | 1,970% |
| P/E Ratio | 19.71 | 22.32 | 88% |
| Revenue | 297M | 68.9B | 0% |
| Total Cash | 6.07M | 11.8B | 0% |
| Total Debt | 81.1M | 69.8B | 0% |
HCKT | IBM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 4 | 86 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 6 Undervalued | 10 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 27 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 56 | 27 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 77 | 54 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 81 | 94 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 47 | 25 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HCKT's Valuation (6) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as IBM (10) in the Information Technology Services industry. This means that HCKT’s stock grew similarly to IBM’s over the last 12 months.
IBM's Profit vs Risk Rating (27) in the Information Technology Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for HCKT (100) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IBM’s stock grew significantly faster than HCKT’s over the last 12 months.
IBM's SMR Rating (27) in the Information Technology Services industry is in the same range as HCKT (56) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IBM’s stock grew similarly to HCKT’s over the last 12 months.
IBM's Price Growth Rating (54) in the Information Technology Services industry is in the same range as HCKT (77) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IBM’s stock grew similarly to HCKT’s over the last 12 months.
HCKT's P/E Growth Rating (81) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as IBM (94) in the Information Technology Services industry. This means that HCKT’s stock grew similarly to IBM’s over the last 12 months.
| HCKT | IBM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 46% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 53% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 62% | 8 days ago 52% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 66% |
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HCKT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HCKT has been loosely correlated with CDW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HCKT jumps, then CDW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HCKT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCKT | 100% | N/A | ||
| CDW - HCKT | 54% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| DXC - HCKT | 51% Loosely correlated | +7.80% | ||
| FIS - HCKT | 50% Loosely correlated | +4.94% | ||
| ACN - HCKT | 47% Loosely correlated | +5.38% | ||
| EXLS - HCKT | 44% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
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IBM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IBM has been loosely correlated with DXC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 49% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if IBM jumps, then DXC could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IBM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBM | 100% | +1.79% | ||
| DXC - IBM | 49% Loosely correlated | +7.80% | ||
| ACN - IBM | 48% Loosely correlated | +5.38% | ||
| GIB - IBM | 47% Loosely correlated | +1.39% | ||
| CNXC - IBM | 46% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| HCKT - IBM | 44% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
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