New York, February 16, 2026, 14:37 EST — Markets have shut for the day.
- IBM finished Friday’s session 1.1% higher, closing at $262.38.
- U.S. markets are closed for Presidents Day on Monday. Trading resumes Tuesday.
- Investors are trying to make sense of a choppy week for the stock, while IBM’s AI story and M&A chatter remain in the mix.
IBM (IBM.N) finished Friday higher by 1.1%, closing at $262.38. With U.S. markets shuttered Monday for Presidents Day, investors will be waiting until Tuesday to gauge where demand for the stock heads next. (Reuters)
That’s notable—IBM’s pace lately has outstripped even its usual tempo. The stock closed Thursday at $259.52, but Friday’s rebound didn’t erase doubts about its stability. (Reuters)
A persistent note from IBM’s HR chief Nickle LaMoreaux echoed over the weekend. Speaking at a New York conference last week, she said the company wants to triple its U.S. entry-level hiring by 2026, including positions where automation pressure is rising. “And yes, it’s for all these jobs that we’re being told AI can do,” LaMoreaux told the crowd. (Computing)
IBM shook off a four-day slump Friday, climbing past Microsoft and Alphabet, according to MarketWatch data. About 6.8 million shares changed hands—more than its 50-day average. The stock, though, is still trading about 19% shy of its November 52-week high at $324.90. (MarketWatch)
Earlier this week, a calendar quirk came into play. IBM shares went ex-dividend on Feb. 10, so anyone buying after that cut-off misses out on the upcoming dividend. That tends to nudge the stock price down roughly by the payout itself. (Morningstar)
Known as “Big Blue,” IBM offers software, consulting, and infrastructure services, positioning itself as a go-to hybrid cloud and AI provider for enterprise clients. The company has a presence in more than 175 countries. (Reuters)
IBM’s most recent significant move came with its earnings report. In late January, the company topped fourth-quarter revenue and profit forecasts, lifted by growing software demand linked to AI adoption, according to Reuters. Looking ahead, IBM will no longer break out its “AI book of business”—that tally of AI-related deals—starting in the first quarter. (Reuters)
Deals haven’t vanished from the landscape. Back in December, IBM announced plans to acquire data-infrastructure specialist Confluent in an $11 billion deal, eyeing a mid-2026 close. “IBM is buying the critical data firehose that supports the AI hype,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital. (Reuters)
The risk is pretty straightforward. If doubts linger about big AI outlays actually generating tangible cash flow, investors could start to pull back, putting fresh pressure on valuations. IBM could easily get caught up in that wave. (Reuters)
Traders head into Tuesday with the rate outlook unresolved. January’s softer inflation print did enough to sustain hopes for cuts, but conflicting data points have yanked expectations in the opposite direction, leaving interest-rate wagers volatile in light, holiday-affected trade, Reuters said. (Reuters)
IBM’s next major event is earnings—its investor relations page pegs April 22 as the early read for Q1 numbers. Software growth will be in focus, and traders are hoping for more detail on the Confluent timeline. (Ibm)
