Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a revenue growth of 6% in 2025, the highest level in many years, and generated $14.7 billion in free cash flow, the highest cash generation in over a decade [4][16] - Operating pre-tax margin expanded by 100 basis points, and adjusted EBITDA grew by 17%, reflecting strong execution and operational leverage [16][24] - Free cash flow margin reached the highest level in reported history, with a 16% year-over-year increase [16][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew by 9% in 2025, with three of four software sub-segments delivering double-digit growth rates [5][17] - Infrastructure revenue increased by 10%, driven by the record launch of z17, achieving the highest annual revenue for IBM Z in about 20 years [17] - Consulting revenue grew by 1%, reflecting increased demand for AI services [8][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Data solutions grew by 19%, driven by demand for GenAI products [19] - Automation revenue increased by 14%, with strong performance from HashiCorp [20] - Hybrid infrastructure revenue grew by 24%, while infrastructure support declined by 2% [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on becoming a software-led hybrid cloud and AI platform company, investing in innovation and productivity initiatives [4][10] - Strategic acquisitions, such as Confluent, are aimed at unifying hybrid cloud and automation solutions [10][11] - The company aims to sustain revenue growth of 5%+ and increase free cash flow by about $1 billion in 2026 [15][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that client demand remains resilient, particularly in hybrid cloud, AI, and mission-critical infrastructure [6][7] - The company expects to achieve $2 billion in productivity savings by the end of 2024, exceeding initial targets [11] - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth momentum and profitability, with expectations for continued strong performance in 2026 [15][29] Other Important Information - The cumulative GenAI book of business reached over $12.5 billion, with software contributing more than $2 billion [9][31] - The company is advancing its quantum computing initiatives, with plans to deliver a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029 [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on software growth acceleration - Management highlighted strong organic growth in software, driven by increased demand for automation and data solutions, and expressed confidence in achieving double-digit growth [40][46] Question: Free cash flow performance and guidance - Management explained that the strong free cash flow performance in 2025 was driven by revenue growth and operational leverage, and expressed confidence in achieving $15.7 billion in free cash flow for 2026 [50][54] Question: Red Hat growth expectations - Management acknowledged the challenges in Red Hat's growth but emphasized the strategic value and ongoing demand for its products, particularly OpenShift [58][62]

IBM (NYSE:IBM) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 28, 2026 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsArvind Krishna - CEOJames Kavanaugh - CFOMatthew Swanson - Director and Equity ResearchOlympia McNerney - Head of Investor RelationsConference Call ParticipantsAmit Daryanani - AnalystOperatorWelcome, and thank you for standing by. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Today's conference is being recorded. If you have any objections, you may disconnect at this time. Now, I will turn the meeting over to ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IBM achieved a revenue growth of 6% in 2025, the highest level in many years, and generated $14.7 billion in free cash flow, the highest in over a decade [4][17] - The company reported a 12% growth in operating diluted earnings per share and a 17% growth in Adjusted EBITDA [17][24] - Operating pre-tax margin expanded by 100 basis points, reflecting strong execution and a favorable portfolio mix [17][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew 9% in 2025, with three of four sub-segments delivering double-digit growth rates [5][18] - Infrastructure revenue increased by 10%, driven by the successful launch of the z17 mainframe [18] - Consulting revenue grew 1%, reflecting increased demand for AI services [8][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Data solutions grew by 19%, driven by demand for GenAI products [20] - Automation solutions saw a growth of 14%, with record bookings for HashiCorp [20] - Red Hat's revenue growth decelerated to 8%, impacted by delays in U.S. federal business deal activity [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IBM is focused on becoming a software-led hybrid cloud and AI platform company, with significant investments in innovation and productivity initiatives [4][10] - The company aims to sustain revenue growth of 5%+ in 2026, with a strong emphasis on its software business, expected to grow by 10% [28][34] - Strategic acquisitions, such as Confluent, are seen as key to enhancing IBM's hybrid cloud and automation solutions [10][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that client demand remains resilient, particularly in hybrid cloud, AI, and mission-critical infrastructure [6][16] - The company expressed confidence in sustaining growth momentum, with expectations for free cash flow to increase by about $1 billion in 2026 [28][34] - Management highlighted the importance of productivity initiatives, which have already exceeded initial targets [11][33] Other Important Information - IBM's cumulative GenAI book of business reached over $12.5 billion, with significant contributions from both software and consulting [9][31] - The company is advancing its quantum computing initiatives, with plans to deliver a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029 [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on software growth acceleration - Management expressed confidence in organic growth within the software segment, driven by increased demand for automation and data solutions [40][46] Question: Free cash flow performance and guidance - Management attributed the strong free cash flow performance in 2025 to revenue growth and operating leverage, with a guidance of $15.7 billion for 2026 [49][52] Question: Red Hat's growth trajectory - Management acknowledged the challenges in Red Hat's growth but emphasized the strategic value and ongoing demand for its offerings [57][60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IBM reported a revenue growth of 7%, the highest in several years, with all segments accelerating sequentially [5][14] - Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 290 basis points, with adjusted EBITDA growth of 22% and operating earnings per share growth of 15% [15][20] - Free cash flow reached $7.2 billion, marking the highest nine-month free cash flow margin in reported history [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew by 9%, driven by a 22% increase in Automation and a 12% increase in Red Hat revenue [16][18] - Consulting revenue increased by 2%, with Intelligent Operations up 4% and a significant return to growth in the Consulting segment [18][19] - Infrastructure revenue grew by 15%, with Hybrid Infrastructure up 26% and IBM Z revenue increasing by 59% year-over-year [17][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for AI services is growing, with IBM's GenAI book of business exceeding $9.5 billion [9][40] - The hybrid cloud market remains strong, with all major subscription offerings gaining market share [16][24] - The company expects Infrastructure to contribute over 1.5 points to IBM's revenue growth this year [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IBM's strategy focuses on hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence, aiming to modernize client infrastructures and enhance productivity [5][6] - The company is committed to achieving $4.5 billion in annual run-rate productivity savings by the end of the year [8][21] - IBM is actively pursuing M&A opportunities that align with its hybrid cloud and AI strategy, emphasizing the importance of synergy and growth potential [74][76] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about broad-based demand from clients despite macro uncertainties [6][23] - The company raised its expectations for revenue growth to more than 5% and free cash flow to about $14 billion for the year [13][23] - The impact of the federal government shutdown is expected to be minimal, with critical systems remaining unaffected [38][39] Other Important Information - IBM's Client Zero approach has driven over 1,000 engagements this year, showcasing the effectiveness of its internal technology solutions [9] - The company is on track to demonstrate the first error-corrected quantum computer by 2028, highlighting its commitment to innovation in quantum computing [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Free cash flow dynamics and capital allocation - Management highlighted a strong free cash flow engine, with $7.2 billion generated year-to-date, and discussed factors contributing to the $14 billion estimate for the year [30][31] Question: AI adoption and its financial impact - Management confirmed that AI adoption is a significant contributor to revenue growth, with a strong pipeline of consulting projects utilizing AI capabilities [39][40] Question: Software growth expectations and acquisitions - Management expressed confidence in maintaining double-digit growth in Software, driven by strong performance in Red Hat and Automation, while also considering future M&A opportunities [50][52] Question: Cloud infrastructure opportunities - Management noted that IBM benefits from the growth of hyperscalers, leveraging partnerships to enhance consulting and software deployment [62][66] Question: M&A strategy and potential targets - Management reiterated the importance of M&A in their strategy, focusing on targets that align with their hybrid cloud and AI initiatives, while remaining open to larger transactions if they meet strategic criteria [72][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IBM reported a revenue growth of 7%, the highest in several years, with all segments accelerating sequentially [5][18] - Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded by 290 basis points, with adjusted EBITDA growth at 22% and operating earnings per share growth at 15% [18][24] - Free cash flow reached $7.2 billion, marking the highest nine-month free cash flow margin in reported history, up $600 million year over year [19][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Software revenue grew by 9%, driven by a 22% increase in automation and a 12% growth in Red Hat revenue [20][21] - Consulting revenue returned to growth with a 2% increase, reflecting solid demand for strategic offerings [22][24] - Infrastructure revenue grew by 15%, with hybrid infrastructure up 26% and IBM z delivering its highest third-quarter revenue in nearly two decades, up 59% year over year [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for hybrid cloud products remained strong, with all major subscription offerings gaining market share [20] - The AI portfolio contributed significantly to revenue growth, with the consulting generative AI book of business exceeding $1.5 billion [24] - Transaction processing revenue declined by 3%, but a healthy pipeline is expected to drive future demand [21][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IBM's strategy focuses on hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence, with a commitment to innovation and productivity [6][7] - The company aims to achieve $4.5 billion in annual run rate savings by leveraging AI for operational efficiency [10][25] - IBM is committed to becoming a leader in quantum computing, with plans to demonstrate the first error-corrected quantum computer by 2028 [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about broad-based demand from clients, despite macro uncertainties [6][7] - The company raised expectations for revenue growth to more than 5% and free cash flow to about $14 billion for the year [17][27] - The management highlighted the importance of AI adoption and its role in driving future growth [5][6] Other Important Information - IBM's client zero approach has driven over 1,000 client engagements this year, showcasing the effectiveness of its technology and domain expertise [11] - The company has over 200 consulting projects utilizing digital workers at scale, indicating a strong focus on AI integration [12] - IBM's partnership with Anthropic and the launch of Granite 4.0 are expected to enhance its AI capabilities [13][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Free cash flow dynamics and capital allocation - Management confirmed that the free cash flow estimate for 2025 is $14 billion, driven by strong revenue growth and operating leverage [34][36] - They noted a $500 million headwind from a previous asset sale but emphasized the underlying fundamentals of the business [37][38] Question: AI adoption impact on revenue - Management indicated that AI adoption is a significant contributor to software growth and consulting revenue, with a strong backlog of projects [45][49] - They expect continued growth in AI-related consulting projects, which are essential for driving future revenue [50][51] Question: Software growth expectations for 2026 - Management anticipates that Red Hat will return to mid-teens growth, with transaction processing expected to grow in low single digits [62][66] - Automation and AI capabilities are expected to continue driving double-digit growth in the software segment [66][68] Question: M&A strategy and potential for larger transactions - Management reiterated that M&A is a critical part of their strategy, focusing on acquisitions that align with their hybrid cloud and AI goals [95][98] - They remain open to larger transformative transactions if they meet strategic criteria [102] Question: AI readiness and IT budget spending - Management noted that enterprises are increasingly focusing on integrating existing applications with AI capabilities to derive real value [106] - They highlighted that spending is shifting towards essential AI-driven projects, with some discretionary spending at risk [106]

Core Insights - IBM announced the commercial launch of its AI inference accelerator, Spyre, set to be implemented this quarter [1][3] - The z17 and LinuxONE 5 products will first support Spyre on October 28, while Power11 is expected to complete integration by early December [1] Technical Specifications - The Spyre accelerator features a PCIe AIC card form factor with a power consumption of 75W, balancing performance and energy efficiency [3] - It is equipped with 32 accelerator cores and utilizes advanced 5nm process technology, containing 25.6 billion transistors [3] - The z17 and LinuxONE 5 can support up to 48 Spyre cards simultaneously, while Power11 can integrate 16 cards, offering flexible deployment options based on enterprise computing needs [3] Application Value - IBM emphasizes that the Spyre accelerator will enable enterprise clients to deploy multimodal AI inference workloads in local environments [3] - This capability is expected to significantly enhance operational efficiency and accelerate the practical application of AI technologies in business scenarios [3] - Importantly, it addresses data security concerns by ensuring the safety of core data, transaction information, and critical applications during AI technology adoption, thus supporting digital transformation for enterprises [3]

Financial Performance Highlights - IBM's Q2 2025 revenue reached $17 billion, showing a 5% year-over-year growth[13] - The company's free cash flow for Q2 2025 was $28 billion[13,35], and the first half of 2025 saw $48 billion in free cash flow[21,35] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 16% year-over-year[14] - Software ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) grew by 10% year-over-year, reaching $227 billion[14,15] Segment Performance - Software revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $74 billion[16,30] - Infrastructure revenue grew by 11% year-over-year to $41 billion, with IBM Z revenue increasing significantly by 67%[18,30] - Consulting revenue remained flat at $53 billion[20] Strategic Initiatives and Outlook - Generative AI book of business exceeded $75 billion[11,21] - IBM is raising its full-year outlook for free cash flow, expecting it to exceed $135 billion[11,22] - The company anticipates revenue growth to inflect higher to 5%+ for the full year 2025[22]