Technologies

IBM Stock Declines Despite Beating Quarterly Estimates While Keeping Full-Year Outlook

IBM stock dropped despite beating Q1 earnings estimates, as the company maintained its full-year guidance and highlighted strong software and infrastructure growth.

IBM’s stock fell 6% in after-hours trading on Wednesday, even as the technology giant reported first-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, yet it chose to keep its full-year financial projections unchanged.

Here is a breakdown of IBM’s performance relative to LSEG consensus estimates:

Adjusted earnings per share: $1.91, compared to the $1.81 forecast
Total revenue: $15.92 billion, exceeding the $15.62 billion prediction

According to the company’s official statement, revenue expanded by 9% compared to the same period last year. The net profit reached $1.22 billion, or $1.28 per share, an increase from the $1.06 billion, or $1.12 per share, reported in the fourth quarter of 2024. These adjusted earnings figures do not include any adjustments tied to acquisitions.

Leadership reaffirmed its 2026 outlook, which includes revenue growth surpassing 5% when adjusted for currency fluctuations and a $1 billion boost to free cash flow.

«Events in the Middle East did not affect our first-quarter performance,» IBM CEO Arvind Krishna stated during an analyst conference call. «While uncertainties persist, our broad portfolio across various sectors, regions, and major enterprise customers positions us favorably.» The conflict between Iran and the U.S. began on February 28.

Software revenue rose 11% to $7.05 billion, outpacing the $7.02 billion consensus from analysts surveyed by StreetAccount. Consulting revenue climbed 4% to $5.27 billion, falling just short of StreetAccount’s $5.28 billion estimate.

Infrastructure revenue grew 15% to $3.33 billion, beating the $3.16 billion StreetAccount consensus. IBM highlighted a 51% surge in Z mainframe hardware sales, noting that the z17 model continues to perform better than previous generations.

As of Wednesday’s closing price, IBM stock has dropped approximately 15% year-to-date in 2026, while the S&P 500 index has gained 4% over the same timeframe.

The shares plummeted 13% in a single day in February after AI developer Anthropic suggested that artificial intelligence could help firms modernize code written in the COBOL programming language. Since COBOL applications can operate on IBM’s mainframe systems, IBM’s senior vice president of software, Rob Thomas, responded in a LinkedIn post: «AI strengthens the mainframe case, it does not weaken it.»

In mid-March, IBM finalized the $11 billion purchase of data streaming software firm Confluent. The company now anticipates its operating pre-tax margin to expand by roughly 1%, despite closing the Confluent transaction earlier than anticipated.

Executives will review the quarterly results with analysts on a conference call beginning at 5 p.m. ET.

WATCH: Citigroup’s Boolani on IBM’s upside: Will be an AI survivor and enabler

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im