Shares of IBM, a major player in international office machinery, jumped 5.1% on January 29, following the announcement of better-than-expected results for the fourth quarter of 2025. The company surpassed analysts’ predictions regarding both sales and profits.
Looking forward, IBM anticipates annual revenue growth to surpass 5% by the close of 2026, on a constant currency basis. This forecast is grounded in a solid product portfolio, enhanced operational efficiency, and boosts to productivity. Additionally, free cash flow is expected to increase by $1 billion.
This optimistic outlook, paired with impressive quarterly performance, has bolstered investor confidence in IBM’s stock, resulting in continued price gains. Just yesterday, IBM’s stock rose another 1.8% compared to its levels on January 29.
In light of these developments, investors in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), particularly those with an interest in technology, might consider gaining exposure to IBM by investing in ETFs with significant holdings in the company.
However, before diving into ETF suggestions, it’s worth taking a closer look at IBM’s fourth-quarter results, analyzing the company’s performance across various metrics, and assessing the market’s reactions to any upgrades or downgrades.
For the fourth quarter, IBM reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.52, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.4%. Revenue also exceeded consensus expectations by 2.5%. In comparison to the previous year, both EPS and revenue saw double-digit growth.
The company’s revenue growth for this quarter was 9% in constant currency, marking the highest level in over three years.
All four of IBM’s segments experienced positive year-on-year growth, with Infrastructure showing the most significant increase—21%, largely due to the strength of the z17 platform.
By the end of the fourth quarter, IBM’s GenAI business exceeded $12.5 billion, with over $2 billion coming from software and more than $10.5 billion from consulting, both achieving record quarterly growth.
In the realm of quantum computing, IBM made notable advancements during the last quarter of 2025. They improved their development roadmap, worked on error correction enhancements, and expanded partnerships within the ecosystem. Collaborations with organizations like Cisco aimed to develop scalable quantum systems, alongside participation in initiatives such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis mission and DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. IBM remains on schedule to deliver its first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029.




