New York, Jan 12, 2026, 21:00 EST — Market closed.
- IBM gained 2.6% to close at $312.18, beating the broader U.S. market on Monday.
- As earnings season and inflation reports approach, investors shrugged off new headlines about Federal Reserve independence.
- IBM will release its quarterly report on Jan. 28, with investors watching closely for demand trends in software and consulting.
Shares of International Business Machines climbed 2.6% to close at $312.18 on Monday, swinging between $299.99 and $312.35 during the session.
The S&P 500 and Dow both hit record highs, shrugging off the criminal probe surrounding Fed Chair Jerome Powell. “The market is taking it in stride for now,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities. According to LSEG data, tech is expected to lead fourth-quarter earnings growth. All eyes now turn to Tuesday’s U.S. consumer price index, which could signal where rates are headed. 1
Timing is crucial for IBM. As earnings season kicks off, it often signals how enterprise spending will unfold. IBM stands right where corporate software budgets meet consulting demand.
A Nasdaq.com report on Monday highlighted IBM’s growing collaboration with Datavault AI to deploy its watsonx products in “edge” locations — smaller, local data centers near data sources — built on a “zero-trust” model that assumes no user or device is inherently trusted. The article also noted stiff competition from major cloud and AI giants like Amazon and Alphabet. 2
IBM plans to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Jan. 28, according to a preliminary date posted on its investor events page. 3
Traders are focused on the pace of software growth and if consulting steadies following a turbulent period, as clients take a closer look at major projects.
IBM has been pushing additional AI tools into its current customer base, focusing on hybrid solutions that combine public cloud with on-premise infrastructure — a route favored by some big companies for better cost management and control.
Still, the near term hinges on macro data. If inflation comes in hotter than expected, rate-cut expectations might shift, dragging down equity multiples. Signs of slower deal activity or a weaker backlog would only fuel concerns over growth in 2026.
IBM is juggling M&A as well, having revealed plans in December to buy Confluent for $11 billion. Investors will be watching closely for any integration challenges and timing concerns. 4
Next on deck: Tuesday’s CPI release, followed by the early batch of big-bank earnings that usually steer market sentiment — with IBM’s report on Jan. 28 serving as a key company-specific checkpoint.
