The AI Stock Retirees Are Adding to Their Portfolios -- and Growth Investors Should, Too

The article argues that International Business Machines (IBM) is an attractive AI-exposed dividend stock for retirees and growth investors. It highlights IBM’s tangible AI-driven revenue acceleration—Q1 2026 total revenue +9.5% y/y to $15.9B, software ARR of $24.6B (+10% y/y), and an AI platform (watsonx) exceeding $1.5B TTM—alongside its 31st consecutive dividend raise. Management reiterated guidance for >5% constant-currency revenue growth for 2026 and ~+$1B free cash flow improvement. The piece frames IBM’s hybrid-cloud, regulated-industry positioning and recent Confluent acquisition as durable, less-volatile ways to gain AI exposure, suggesting a bullish case for income-focused portfolios and for growth investors wanting software-led multiple expansion.