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IBM Shares Jump on Earnings Beat as AI Momentum Lifts 2026 Outlook

Management projects revenue growth above 5% in 2026 alongside a $1 billion free‑cash‑flow increase.

Overview

  • IBM reported Q4 revenue of $19.69 billion and adjusted EPS of $4.52, topping LSEG estimates on both measures.
  • Free cash flow reached $14.7 billion in 2025, with guidance calling for roughly $1 billion more in 2026.
  • The generative AI book of business exceeded $12.5 billion, and consulting booked over $2 billion in GenAI work during the quarter.
  • Software revenue rose 14% to about $9 billion and infrastructure climbed 21% to $5.1 billion, including a 67% surge in IBM Z mainframes.
  • Red Hat hybrid-cloud growth slowed to 10%, which the CFO linked to a U.S. federal government shutdown knocking growth by a couple of points, while shares rose roughly 8% after the release.