IBM Gets Crushed 7-15-26

Summary

Podcast Summary: Becker Business

Host: Scott Becker

Episode: IBM Gets Crushed 7-15-26

Original Air Date: July 15, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker discusses a dramatic downturn in IBM’s stock following a significant profit warning tied to its software segment. He contextualizes the market reaction, draws connections to Microsoft’s related struggles, and comments on similar high-profile setbacks at Disney. The tone is brisk, direct, and tinged with industry-insider wryness.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

IBM’s Major Stock Drop

Timestamp: [00:30]

• IBM is down “about 26–27%,” which is their “largest single day hit ever.”
• The drop follows a profit warning related to the company’s software business.
• At midday, IBM’s year-to-date decline matches the one-day drop.

Quote:

“At this point in the day, IBM is down about 26–27% as they issued a profit warning on their software business. … This is the largest single day hit ever.”
— Scott Becker [00:34]

Leadership and Strategy Concerns

Timestamp: [01:03]

• CEO Arvind Krishna, formerly lauded as “a brilliant, brilliant guy,” now appears to be facing significant headwinds.
• The company’s prospects rest on its ability to recover, especially in AI and infrastructure sectors.

Quote:

“They have a CEO who took over a few years ago, Arvind Krishna, who's known as a brilliant, brilliant guy but but seems to now be running into some trouble. We'll see where IBM recovers if they can get stronger in the AI and infrastructure business.”
— Scott Becker [01:03]

Ripple Effect: Microsoft’s Position

Timestamp: [00:42]

• Although Becker states he is “not a direct holder of IBM,” he expresses concern about Microsoft, as their stock is “down about 20% year to date.”
• He contextualizes IBM’s troubles within broader software industry volatility.

Quote:

“I am a direct holder of Microsoft, and this gives me some concerns about Microsoft and what happens there. Microsoft's down about 20% year to date.”
— Scott Becker [00:42]

Brief Commentary on Disney

Timestamp: [01:33]

• As an aside, Becker highlights Disney’s poor performance with remakes, notably “Mona” and “Snow White.”
• Points to CEO Bob Iger’s outsized reputation and “ego above all egos.”
• Admits to feeling a sense of schadenfreude watching large, overconfident companies falter, but quickly apologizes for the sentiment.

Quote:

“They also got crushed on the remake of Snow White. Again, I'm not calling into question the brilliance of Bob Iger, but he's got an ego above all egos. And so I have a certain amount of schadenfreude… I know that's not a good quality, so I apologize for it.”
— Scott Becker [01:38]

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• Becker’s self-aware admission of schadenfreude (“I know that's not a good quality so I apologize for it”) adds a candid tone and acknowledges the complex emotions at play when industry giants stumble.
• His brisk, news-driven delivery keeps the focus on facts and quick analysis, providing context for both investors and general listeners.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “At this point in the day, IBM is down about 26–27% as they issued a profit warning on their software business.”
  — Scott Becker [00:34]

• “This is the largest single day hit ever. At least as of midday they're down about 27% which is right about the amount they're down year to date.”
  — Scott Becker [00:39]

• “We'll see where IBM recovers if they can get stronger in the AI and infrastructure business. But at the moment it looks quite concerning for IBM and fascinating to watch.”
  — Scott Becker [01:07]

• “I'm not calling into question the brilliance of Bob Iger, but he's got an ego above all egos. And so I have a certain amount of schadenfreude…”
  — Scott Becker [01:38]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:30] – Introduction to IBM’s profit warning and immediate market impact
• [00:42] – Concerns about Microsoft’s parallel performance
• [01:03] – Reflections on IBM’s CEO and strategic direction
• [01:33] – Disney’s recent failures and commentary on company leadership
• [01:45] – Personal reflections, note of schadenfreude, and Becker’s sign-off

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Summary

In a crisp and direct briefing, Scott Becker examines IBM’s record stock plunge and its implications for the larger software and tech sector. He candidly discusses the pressures facing IBM’s leadership, draws parallels to Microsoft’s struggles, and reflects on the broader pattern seen in Disney’s recent performance. Becker’s tone remains both analytical and wry, offering value for business professionals and investors keeping an eye on major market moves.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is IBM gets crushed. Here's the deal. We're recording this on Tuesday. You'll hear this on Wednesday. At this point in the day, IBM is down about 2627% as they issued a profit warning on their software business. This is. I'm not a direct holder of IBM so I'm okay with that at least personally I am a direct holder of Microsoft and this gives me some concerns about Microsoft and what happens there. Microsoft's down about 20% year to date. IBM this is the largest single day hit ever. At least as of midday they're down about 27% which is right about the amount they're down year to date. They have a CEO took over a few years ago, Arvind Krishna, who's known as a brilliant, brilliant guy but but seems to now be running into some trouble. We'll see where IBM recovers if they can get stronger in the AI and infrastructure business. But at the moment it looks quite concerning for IBM and fascinating to watch. We'll keep an eye on this story and what happens with the IBM. We also watch as a side note, Disney get crushed on the remake of Mona. They also got crushed on the remake of Snow White. Again I'm not calling it into discussion the brilliance of Bob Iger, but he's got an ego above all egos. And so I have a certain amount of schadenfreude when I see IBM struggle a little bit and I know that's not a good quality so I apologize for it. Again. IBM tanks fasting to watch. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business. The Becker Private Equity Podcast.

[A]

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