STRONG QUARTER: IBM's fourth-quarter earnings grew 6 percent even as revenue was largely flat, as the company benefited from growing, lucrative software businesses such as Internet-based computing and data analytics.

SHARES UP: The results beat Wall Street's expectations, as is often the case with IBM, as did the technology bellwether's guidance for the current year. IBM's stock price increased more than 4 percent in after-hours trading following the announcement.

GUIDANCE: For 2013, IBM expects earnings of at least $15.53 per share. It expects adjusted earnings of at least $16.70, above the $16.65 that analysts were expecting.