The Rising Influence of Rising Affluence

[DewDiligence]

4Q11 IBM and The Global Demographic Tailwind:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/technology/ibm-earnings-surpass-forecasts.html

Revenue from fast-growing markets abroad including China, India and Brazil, and dozens of smaller ones, increased 16 percent. These designated growth markets now account for 22 percent of I.B.M. business, Mark Loughridge, the chief financial officer, said in conference call.

Its “smarter planet” business—which combines research, specialized skills and sophisticated technology grew by 47 percent. The initiative, which was started in 2008, has more than 2,000 projects, like creating more efficient systems for utility grids, food distribution, water conservation and health care.

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