HOLDING STEADY: IBM's third-quarter profit of $3.8 billion was unchanged from a year ago. Earnings per share though worked out to $3.33 per share, a gain from $3.19 per share a year ago because IBM Corp. has less stock outstanding now.

STREAK EXTENDED: The performance marked the 39th consecutive quarter in which IBM's earnings per share rose from the previous year.

WORRISOME DEVELOPMENTS: IBM's chief financial officer told analysts the company's faced "more challenging" market conditions in September, the final month of the quarter. Revenue also fell 5 percent from the same time last year amid economic weakness in Europe.