IBM Investors Cheer First Signs of Success for Big Blue Strategy

IBM has given its investors a sign that Big Blue may finally be turning things around. Revenue increased for the first time in a key unit -- cognitive solutions, including its Watson artificial intelligence platform -- that the company has been touting as crucial to future growth. The results may signal that Chief Executive Officer Ginni Rometty is making good on her promise to shift IBM's software and services offerings to match customers' increasing appetite for cloud-based solutions. It's been an uphill battle. Overall, sales have declined for 17 quarters in a row, while margins have also narrowed.