Will Modest Consulting Revenue Growth Aid IBM's Q2 Earnings?

Core Insights - IBM is expected to report higher revenues in the Consulting segment due to increased demand for technology consulting and business transformation services in Q2 2025 [1] Group 1: Consulting Segment Performance - The Consulting segment includes Business Transformation, Technology Consulting, and Application Operations, providing value and innovation through industry and technology expertise [2] - Consulting revenues are projected to reach $5.21 billion, a slight increase from $5.18 billion in the same quarter last year [6][9] - Incremental revenues are anticipated from new AI features launched during the Masters tournament, which provided predictive analytics and data-backed recaps for golf fans [3][9] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - IBM extended its partnership with Deutsche Bank, enhancing access to its software solutions, which will aid in the bank's digital transformation and process optimization [4] - A new contract with Finanz Informatik aims to modernize its infrastructure, improving cyber resilience and operational efficiency, likely contributing to Consulting segment revenues [5] Group 3: Overall Financial Expectations - The total revenue estimate for IBM stands at $16.58 billion, up from $15.77 billion in the prior-year quarter, with earnings expected to grow from $2.43 to $2.64 per share [7] - The model does not predict an earnings beat for IBM in Q2, with an Earnings ESP of +1.35% and a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [8]