"How did IBM 'beat' again? By once again applying a lower tax rate than a year ago: a paltry 11.0%, down from the already laughable 12.5% in Sept 30, 2016. Had IBM used even last quarter's 12.5% tax rate, it would have missed."
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-17/ibm-reports-22nd-consecutive-quarter-declining-sales-beats-eps-drop-effective-tax-ra