Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: IBM Gets Crushed

Podcast: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode Date: July 15, 2026

Overview

In this brief episode titled "IBM Gets Crushed," host Scott Becker examines the dramatic single-day stock decline of IBM following a profit warning related to its software business. Becker also shares personal perspectives on the situation, reflections on related technology stocks, and draws a parallel to Disney’s recent challenges with movie remakes. The discussion offers insight into investor sentiment and broader implications for the tech sector.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. IBM’s Historic Stock Drop

Timestamp: 00:30 – 01:20
- IBM’s share price plummeted by approximately 26-27% in a single day due to a profit warning on its software operations.
- This event marks the largest single-day decline in IBM’s history, pushing its year-to-date drop to roughly 27%.
- Quote:
  
  “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]

2. Leadership and Strategy Concerns

Timestamp: 00:55 – 01:13
- Arvind Krishna, IBM’s CEO, was previously lauded as “brilliant,” but is now facing significant challenges as IBM struggles.
- Questions are raised about IBM’s future, especially regarding its positions in artificial intelligence and infrastructure.
- Quote:
  
  “They have a CEO took over a few years ago, Arvind Krishna, who's known as a brilliant, brilliant guy, but seems to now be running into some trouble.”
  — Scott Becker [00:57]

3. Tech Sector Ripple Effects

Timestamp: 00:38 – 00:45
- Even though Becker is not an IBM shareholder, he is concerned about the implications for Microsoft, which is already down 20% year to date.
- The commentary reflects general unease about the tech sector’s stability.
- Quote:
  
  “I'm not a direct holder of IBM… I am a direct holder of Microsoft and this gives me some concerns about Microsoft and what happens there.”
  — Scott Becker [00:39]

4. Broader Business Commentary – Disney’s Struggles

Timestamp: 01:23 – 01:48
- Becker comments on Disney’s own setbacks, indicating that Disney also suffered major losses on the remakes of “Moana” and “Snow White.”
- He makes a tongue-in-cheek observation about Disney CEO Bob Iger’s reputation and ego.
- Quote:
  
  “Disney got crushed on the remake of Moana… also got crushed on the remake of Snow White. Again, I'm not calling into discussion the brilliance of Bob Iger, but he's got an ego above all egos.”
  — Scott Becker [01:24]

5. Personal Reflection and Closing Thoughts

Timestamp: 01:48 – 02:01
- Becker admits to a sense of schadenfreude at IBM’s struggles, though he reflects self-critically on this reaction.
- The episode closes with a reaffirmation to keep an eye on IBM’s recovery and a thank you to listeners.
- Quote:
  
  “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.”
  — Scott Becker [01:48]

Notable Quotes

On IBM’s Stock Collapse:
“IBM is down about 26, 27%... This is the largest single day hit ever.”
— Scott Becker [00:34]
On Tech Industry Anxiety:
“This gives me some concerns about Microsoft and what happens there.”
— Scott Becker [00:40]
On Leadership Under Fire:
“Arvind Krishna... seems to now be running into some trouble.”
— Scott Becker [00:57]
Reflecting on Disney’s Stumbles:
“Not calling into discussion the brilliance of Bob Iger, but he's got an ego above all egos.”
— Scott Becker [01:30]
Personal Admission:
“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.”
— Scott Becker [01:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:30: Episode introduction and headline on IBM’s stock fall
00:38: References to Microsoft’s performance and broader market anxiety
00:55: IBM leadership and AI/infrastructure outlook
01:23: Disney’s movie remake failures and leadership style
01:48: Personal reflection and closing

Tone and Style

The episode features Becker’s candid, conversational, and slightly irreverent tone.
The analysis is both personal (investment reflections) and professional (broader business implications).
Becker mixes serious commentary with humor and self-awareness, delivering direct and relatable insights.

This episode provides a snapshot into ongoing shifts in tech and entertainment industries, the vulnerabilities of legacy companies, and the mindset of private equity observers navigating turbulent markets.

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Transcript3 lines

[00:01]
A
Grainger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog. H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.
[00:30]
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 26, 27% 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 fascinating to watch. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business, the Becker Private Equity Podcast.
[02:11]
A
Granger knows when you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, Filters ready to clog. H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.