IBM’s Shock Q4 Layoffs: Thousands of Jobs Cut as Big Blue Doubles Down on AI and Software

Key facts (Nov. 5, 2025)

IBM will cut “thousands” of roles in Q4, describing the move as a “low single‑digit percentage” of its global workforce (about 270,000 at end‑2024). ^[1]
U.S. headcount is expected to stay roughly flat year over year, despite some U.S. roles being affected. ^[2]
Rationale: IBM is sharpening its focus on higher‑margin software and services (including Red Hat) and AI following a recent slowdown in cloud software growth. ^[3]
An IBM spokesperson said: “In the fourth quarter we are executing an action that will impact a low single‑digit percentage of our global workforce.” ^[4]
Market reaction: IBM shares fell nearly 2% on Tuesday and remain up ~35% year‑to‑date. ^[5]
Guidance: IBM still targets >5% constant‑currency revenue growth and ~$14B in 2025 free cash flow. ^[6]
Analyst targets now cluster around $300, with recent moves including Jefferies at $300 and Bank of America at $310 (trimmed from $315 after Q3). ^[7]

What happened and why now

IBM confirmed it is cutting jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, affecting “thousands” of employees. The company framed the move as a routine workforce rebalance to align headcount with areas where it sees stronger, more profitable growth—namely software, hybrid cloud (Red Hat), and AI‑driven services. ^[8]

Bloomberg first reported the reduction and published the company’s statement: “In the fourth quarter we are executing an action that will impact a low single‑digit percentage of our global workforce.” IBM regularly reviews staffing “through this lens and at times rebalance[s] accordingly,” the spokesperson added. ^[9]

The timing follows IBM’s October 22 earnings, where software (including Red Hat) growth moderated to ~14% from ~16% in the prior quarter—an incremental slowdown that rattled a market primed for acceleration. The layoffs are widely seen as a push to protect margins and reallocate talent toward faster‑growing, higher‑return segments. ^[10]

How many jobs are we talking about?

IBM didn’t disclose a number. But “low single‑digit percentage” implies roughly 1–3% of the workforce. With about 270,000 employees at the end of 2024, that rough range would equate to approximately 2,700–8,100 positions. (IBM’s statement and workforce size are public; the range is a straightforward calculation.) ^[11]

The company said some U.S. roles may be affected, but U.S. headcount should remain roughly flat year over year—suggesting IBM will continue to hire into priority areas even as it trims elsewhere. ^[12]

Which roles are at risk?

IBM hasn’t published a formal breakdown. However, employee posts tracked by trade press point to a mix of engineering, AI‑adjacent, marketing, software, and cloud roles among those reporting separations—evidence that the rebalance is broad but targeted. Treat these as early indicators, not an official list. ^[13]

The AI backdrop: a multi‑year shift

IBM has been explicit all year about using AI agents and automation to change how work gets done. In the spring, CEO Arvind Krishna said AI had already “replaced the work of a couple hundred human resources workers,” while stressing overall hiring into higher‑value functions. That illustrates IBM’s approach: automate routine tasks and reinvest in software, data, and sales capacity. ^[14]

Analysts also see the market fixating on Red Hat momentum as the primary valuation lever. As Evercore ISI’s Amit Daryanani put it after Q3: “Investors are likely to focus on the negative results for Red Hat and transaction processing.” That focus helps explain both the share‑price sensitivity to software growth and the current rebalancing to restore operating leverage. ^[15]

Stock price check and near‑term setup

By the numbers:

YTD performance: IBM shares are up ~35% in 2025. ^[16]
Latest move: The layoff headlines coincided with a ~2% decline on Tuesday. ^[17]
Post‑Q3 wobble: After results on Oct. 22, investors punished the stock over slower Red Hat growth despite headline beats. ^[18]

What’s priced in? After the Q3 pullback and today’s dip, the market appears to be recalibrating expectations for a near‑term software reacceleration. The free‑cash‑flow guide (~$14B) and >5% constant‑currency revenue growth aim to reassure investors that cost discipline and mix shift can still deliver double‑digit EPS/FCF growth even if software growth normalizes rather than surges. ^[19]

Wall Street’s view: targets, range, and risks

Jefferies (Hold) raised its target to $300 in late October, effectively saying the stock had run but fundamentals could still support that level with software traction. ^[20]
Bank of America trimmed its target to $310 (from $315) after Q3, calling the selloff a “knee‑jerk” reaction to Red Hat’s slowdown. ^[21]
Consensus across trackers sits near the high‑$280s to low‑$290s, with dispersion from the mid‑$250s to the low‑$310s as analysts debate software momentum versus margin execution. ^[22]

Base case (3–6 months): If IBM holds its >5% CC revenue and FCF targets while stabilizing software growth into year‑end, the stock’s $280–$310 analyst band remains a reasonable reference range. Upside requires evidence that Red Hat and automation/AI services re‑accelerate; downside centers on further deceleration in software or larger‑than‑expected restructuring friction. (Targets and guidance sourced above.) ^[23]

This is market commentary, not investment advice.

What it means for employees

For staff, today’s news continues a two‑year corporate drumbeat: fewer routine roles, more AI‑augmented work, and a premium on software, data, security, and client‑facing skills. Earlier policy shifts—such as tighter return‑to‑office rules for managers—underline IBM’s push for in‑person collaboration in its growth businesses. ^[24]

Labor experts broadly expect AI to reshape HR and other back‑office functions—augmenting many tasks while reducing headcount in some areas. That aligns with IBM’s own narrative: automate repetitive workflows and reinvest in higher‑value roles. ^[25]

The bigger picture: why IBM is doing this

IBM is trying to win where it can lead—hybrid cloud (via Red Hat), AI agents and automation (via watsonx and services), and transaction processing tied to large enterprise accounts. Trimming non‑core or lower‑margin roles and re‑mixing talent aim to protect margins and fund growth amid mixed macro signals and intense AI competition. The company’s message: the cuts are surgical, not sweeping, and consistent with multi‑quarter plans. ^[26]

Expert & company quotes

IBM spokesperson (to Bloomberg): “In the fourth quarter we are executing an action that will impact a low single‑digit percentage of our global workforce.” ^[27]
Amit Daryanani, Evercore ISI: “Investors are likely to focus on the negative results for Red Hat and transaction processing.” ^[28]
CEO Arvind Krishna (earlier this year): AI has “replaced the work of a couple hundred human resources workers,” while overall hiring rose in higher‑value areas. ^[29]

What to watch next (this week and beyond)

Internal details: Whether IBM discloses business‑unit or regional breakdowns, severance terms, or redeployment plans. ^[30]
Hiring vs. firing: Evidence that IBM is refilling in software, data, and client‑facing roles, keeping U.S. headcount flat as stated. ^[31]
Software momentum: Any signs of Red Hat re‑acceleration—or not—in customer pipeline updates and partner chatter. ^[32]
Street revisions: Fresh price‑target changes or estimate moves as analysts digest the restructuring. ^[33]

Sources & further reading

Reuters: “IBM to cut thousands of jobs in fourth quarter amid software focus” (Nov. 4, 2025). ^[34]
Bloomberg: “IBM to Cut Thousands of Roles in Focus on Software Growth” (Nov. 4, 2025). ^[35]
Reuters: Q3 context—cloud/software growth slowdown (Oct. 22–23, 2025). ^[36]
IBM newsroom: Q3 2025 guidance & FCF (Oct. 22, 2025). ^[37]
Seeking Alpha note on post‑Q3 reaction (BofA PT $310; “knee‑jerk” weakness). ^[38]
TipRanks/The Fly: Jefferies PT to $300. ^[39]
MarketBeat consensus targets. ^[40]
Evercore ISI view via Bloomberg on Red Hat focus. ^[41]
LiveMint: Krishna on AI replacing “a couple hundred” HR roles. ^[42]
Fortune / Business Insider (context): RTO policy shift for IBM managers (Jan. 2024). ^[43]
CRN: Early reports of affected roles (trade‑press roundup). ^[44]