IBM · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Acquisitions and Partnerships

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP · 2026-10-22 · Importance 71 · Surprise 60 · Contradicted

IBM completed four acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2026—two in Software, one in Infrastructure and one in Consulting—for aggregate purchase prices of $12,600 million. IBM completed the acquisition of all outstanding Confluent shares on March 17, 2026, with total consideration of $11,602 million and cash consideration of $11,537 million. Confluent’s acquisition generated $7,158 million of Software goodwill and was integrated into the Software segment to support hybrid cloud, generative AI and agentic AI capabilities. IBM spent $11,364 million on acquisitions net of cash acquired in the first nine months, compared with $7,903 million in the prior-year period.

Key facts

• Acquisition-related charges (non-operating adjustments, net of tax) for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were $1,598 million, a 20.5% increase versus the prior-year period. source
• Goodwill balance as of January 1, 2026: $67,717 million; balance as of September 30, 2026: $74,916 million; goodwill additions during the nine months ended September 30, 2026: $7,544 million. source
• During the nine months ended September 30, 2026, the company completed two acquisitions within the Software segment, one acquisition within the Infrastructure segment and one acquisition within the Consulting segment at an aggregate total purchase price of $12,600 million. source
• IBM invested $11,364 million in acquisitions in the first nine months of 2026, including Confluent which completed in the first quarter. source
• Acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 totaled $(11,364) million. source
• On September 30, 2026, IBM completed the divestiture of a joint venture whose historical results were reported within Other; the transaction did not have a material impact on IBM's Consolidated Financial Statements. source

Impact estimates