#business

https://www.barrons.com/articles/ibm-stock-quantum-computing-1384b7c4

By: Mackenzie Tatananni | Updated Aug 31, 2026, 11:11 am EDT / Original Aug 31, 2026, 10:39 am EDT

In their latest research note, Susquehanna analysts raised a question most tech investors probably have considered at least once: “When do investors need to own IBM for quantum?”

The line of questioning makes sense, considering IBM’s quantum division has drummed up plenty of attention in recent months—a bright spot at a time when the stock is under pressure.

Second-quarter earnings were the latest reminder of IBM’s sluggish organic growth, compounded by new threats including customers reallocating their budgets to artificial-intelligence hardware.

Shares have slumped 19% since July 14, anchored by a record plunge the same day IBM pre-announced earnings. In contrast, the S&P 500 has gained 2.1% over the same period.

As other business lines face headwinds, IBM’s quantum division has been a shining star in its portfolio. Susquehanna analyst James Friedman ticked off a number of recent developments including IBM’s acquisition of HRL Laboratories to bolster its hardware capabilities and a partnership with the Commerce Department to build Anderon, a standalone quantum chip foundry to serve IBM itself as well as industry players.

Still, it may seem difficult to consider quantum a cornerstone of IBM’s business. Although Big Blue has researched the technology since before the turn of the 21st century—and contributed to major scientific breakthroughs along the way—the effort generates paltry revenue. Researchers are banking on big technological advances before the end of the decade to usher in broader commercialization.

Friedman is tempering his expectations. “With a number of upcoming quantum catalysts on the horizon, each deliverable keeps accelerating,” he wrote Monday. “At the same time, there is a lot more to getting IBM’s fundamentals right as the other segments transform.”

The analyst flagged a renewed focus on software within the consulting arm, marked by a new leadership appointment, and limited growth in IBM’s Red Hat software business due to passing server supply constraints. There is also the “math of the mainframe cycle” to consider: Revenue was delayed rather than lost, with 40% of the deals that slipped in the second quarter closing early in the following period.

While Friedman remains Neutral-rated on IBM shares, he raised his price target to $235 from $225. The revision reflects upcoming catalysts expected to generate buzz around the technology, particularly the annual Quantum World Congress meeting in late September.

I’ve been watching these new CE get their number and realise that they actually are responsible for ITOM Business networks and Cyber. I’ve been invited to their meetings for input…… The ITOM business and Cyber haven’t done big deals in years…..

Has anyone noticed this

SpaceX may need 1.5 million small cells to compete with TMO to bad Crown caved to Elliott management and no one would listen to JB. Now Crowns is a singular business with no growth

We have been in the news so much as of late as we are making deals left and right. I have a good feeling about the direction we are heading in.

Megan Ellison's Annapurna Pictures has laid off approximately 30 employees, representing over 15% of its workforce. This significant reduction comes as the independent media company navigates shifting market conditions. The company confirmed the layoffs, stating they reflect current business realities. Annapurna is currently realigning its operations to adapt to the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Ellison remains at the helm as CEO during this period of restructuring.

Los Angeles, California

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/megan-ellison-annapurna-layoffs-1236843926/

Bad news for RTO trolls on this site. Joe Russo just confirmed the RTO policy is "not a top down one size fits all" policy. He said he encourages everyone to talk to their managers to see what they need to do to be most effective in delivering business outcomes. He also hinted that more company real estate sales will continue.

https://theenergyyear.com/news/shell-looks-to-offload-up-to-8-billion-of-us-business/

Why can’t everyone just mind their business? There’s so much drama because everyone hates people more successful than them. If you put that much energy into doing your job you’d be happier I promise.

Seeing chatter that people across the globe in India and apac are getting business update invitations - any truth to this?

When will all the Verizon segments get their own prom like Value? We are all the best in the business and want to celebrate how we play to win and drastically cut costs. It will be expensive to buy prom clothes with today’s prices, but I’ll save some money by not wearing socks. Let’s go team! One Verizon!

Oil major Shell has drawn interest from potential bidders, including ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell ​for its U.S. chemical assets that could fetch up ‌to $8 billion, the Financial Times reported on Monday.

https://energynow.com/2026/08/the-suitors-exxon-lyondell-among-suitors-for-shells-us-chemical-assets-could-fetch-8-billion/

At the outset there was a great footprint, a lot of good people, a seemingly strong set of businesses, solid client loyalty and an opportunity in the banking landscape.

What will the business school case studies say went wrong?

DDAT locking down claude code and cutting off use by business teams that have already been using and have built substantial workflows of value at a fraction of the cost or that DDAT probably previously told them they couldn’t do right now…or they didn’t know how to do it… the AI revolution… it’s beginning…

What does this really mean?

Are we winning any new airlines? Seems like it is slow and we are loosing business?

I hate this godda-ned piece of shiit company! Dell deserves to go out of business.

What's next on the block?

And there is only one african american in board of directors.

what is the excuse?

Nike conducts majority of their business to African Americans.
Nike's sales and future designs are influenced by African AMericans.
Nike acts like they are fair and equitable company but it is evidently not true.

If I went through their profiles in 1990s, I am very sure I will have same impression.

When will Nike star hiring upper management people who are African Americans!!!

Don't just try to sell to African American be opened and fair to African Americans too.

This is 2026 and not 1970

A new report indicates that small businesses are actively hiring employees impacted by AI-driven layoffs at larger corporations. This trend is making it easier for smaller firms to recruit and retain skilled talent. Many small businesses are planning to expand their workforces to support growth and meet demand. Some small businesses are also investing in AI tools and employee training to adapt to the evolving landscape. Overall, AI-driven staff reductions at big companies are creating opportunities for smaller businesses.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnschroyer/2026/08/18/small-businesses-are-hiring-workers-hit-by-ai-driven-layoffs/

Third-party assessment firms are experiencing layoffs and contract cancellations following the Pentagon's 60-day pause of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. This suspension, intended for reassessment, has created uncertainty and financial strain for these organizations. Representatives from assessment firms pushed back on high cost estimates for certification, distinguishing implementation expenses from assessment fees. Despite the pause, experts advise small and medium-sized businesses to continue pursuing certification due to prime contractor demands. The situation highlights the complex financial and operational challenges faced by businesses in the defense industrial base.

Augusta, Georgia

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2026/8/17/assessors-report-contract-cancellations-layoffs-after-cmmc-pause

Either
1) The company is split into two separate businesses: Snacks and Beverages, or North America and International.
2) The share price is effectively cut in half.

Rumors flying that poor business performance has the 2026 MIP set at 50% and a sunset of MIP for band 4 engineers planned for 2027. Management and band 5 retain MIP. This would put Honeywell dead last in pay among all defense contractors.
You’ve been warned. Budget accordingly.
Look for “aligning incentives with business goals” and other spin that all boils down to …
No MIP for you!

The majority of Centene jobs are going to be outsourced to India for pennies on the dollar. Think about it.....Why would they keep us and spend large US Salaries/Benefits costs, when they can take our work to India, utilize AI, and viola 1hr worth of work done for 5 or 10 cents on the dollar. This is a business and no one cares about your financial/family situations. Sad, but true. It's the harsh reality. It might now happen tomorrow, but most likely in the next 1 to 10 years I'm sure of it.

Rumor has it another acquisition is on the way.

New York City's mayor is supporting a new piece of legislation aimed at controlling Amazon's influence on city streets. The proposed "Delivery Protection Act" seeks to address concerns about the company's operational impact. This move comes amid ongoing discussions about the role of large e-commerce platforms in urban environments. The bill's passage could significantly alter delivery logistics within the city. It represents a proactive step by local government to manage commercial activity.

New York, New York

https://theloadstar.com/mayor-mamdani-vacks-delivery-protection-act-to-rein-in-amazons-power-over-new-york-city-streets/

Oracle reportedly considering a new round of layoffs.

Business Insider says some teams at the company could be cut by double digit percentages.

The company reportedly wants to reduce head count by the beginning of September.

Oracle cut 21,000 jobs between the middle of 2025 and 2026. That was about 13% of its workforce.

The past this past March, the company told employees it would shed jobs as it faced investor pressure over raising debt for its A I build out.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN88FywkP/

They come from every organization, bringing a wide range of expertise and experience. Together, they could potentially form a new team or company capable of competing for—and even taking—contracts currently held by Hughes.

Will the CFO continue to push the strategy of 'grow the bottom line faster than the top line' in FY27?

Three Florida cities have been recognized for their strong environments for small business growth. Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando all ranked in the top ten nationally for fostering small businesses. This analysis by Nav considered factors like hiring, layoffs, and pay growth over a two-year period. Jacksonville secured third place, with Tampa and Orlando following closely in sixth and seventh respectively. Miami also appeared in the top 25, indicating a positive trend for small businesses across the state.

Jacksonville, Florida

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/807953-jacksonville-tampa-orlando-ranked-in-top-10-for-small-businesses-in-u-s/

Will there be more layoffs if revenues continue declining? I worry EBIDTA will decline too since current EBIDTA gains were a result of all the layoffs last year. There aren’t any leaders left to layoff with all the businesses in one.

Apparently, Xerox’s Toner and Supplies Business Is Booming in Q1 2026 (Google this)

How far they have fallen.
Current stats:

27% would recommend to a friend
33% approve of CEO
21% positive business outlook

Are we doing okay with the Lithium business? I heard we had some our best people working it…Curious to know the status and outlook vs Upstream.

Our planet is literally collapsing and local communities are being fu---d by data centers.

This ramping up of AI feels insanely near sighted, selfish, and unethical.

I'm having a hard time stomaching it. There are no real business LEADERS in the world anymore. Just sheep who think about nothing but the next quarter.

Belk Market. Store within a store?

North lake Mall Charlotte.

Will this concept work? I thought the whole idea was to have a smaller freestanding market concept OUTSIDE of malls, not on the second floor of an already existing store??

I’m not burned out from the work. I’m burned out from the commute, the wasted time, and the feeling that none of this has a purpose other than making our lives miserable.

The irony is that I actually work fewer hours now than I did before from home. Time I used to spend working in the morning or evening is now spent sitting in traffic. Action items take longer to get done now because time that used to be productive has been replaced with commuting, and honestly I just don’t care as much anymore because I don’t feel valued at all.

Everything here just feels completely backwards.

We sell connectivity. Our entire business is built around connecting people from anywhere. Yet internally, we act like work can only happen if everyone is sitting in an office building. Why was it acceptable for decades before Covid, but is no longer? Why are we the only one in the industry doing 5 days and still in dead last place?

Nothing inspires confidence in your own products quite like refusing to rely on them yourselves. If the technology we sell every day isn’t good enough for our own workforce, what message does that send?

This policy hasn’t made me more engaged or productive, if anything it’s done the opposite. It’s just made me more tired and less likely to do any more than the bare minimum.

I guess Loyalty is dead goes both ways… who could have guessed it??

Get woke, go broke:

Teradata’s fall can trace directly to SM hire.

He went directly to DEI, ESG and hiring based on imputable characteristics…

Managers had DEI dashboards with bonuses based on DEI. ESG was front and center with Each all hands meetings.

Pronouns had more priority than a bullet proof Business plan…. Changes to internal systems to make they/them smile.

ELT hires? Pure DEI.

6 years of woke put Teradata in this position.

Go woke … Go broke.

Teradata… the perfect case study

I’m a relatively new hire in a TX branch. One of the buildings is completely Indian, my team is completely Indian, most floors are mostly Indian except for business. How is this possible when they’re 10% of the population? Something smells off here…

One hundred employees will lose their jobs in south central Pennsylvania. These layoffs are a direct consequence of a Defense Logistics Agency contract task order concluding. The current contract is set to expire on September 30th. Technica LLC has filed a WARN notice with the state regarding these impending job losses. The company will provide updates if the contract receives an extension.

Fairview Township, Pennsylvania

https://www.pennlive.com/business/2026/08/south-carolina-company-expects-to-lay-off-100-people-in-central-pa.html