IBM in brief
- Rank: #22 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #5 of 17 in Technology & Digital.
- WCRC Power Score: 75.08 out of 100.
- Founded: 1911, by Charles Ranlett Flint (as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company).
- Owner: International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, New York.
- Leadership: Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO.
- Latest revenue: $67.5bn revenue (FY2025, +7.6%), group revenue of International Business Machines Corporation, as per company filings.
What makes IBM powerful
IBM sells the technology that keeps banks, governments and big companies running. Its software business grew 8% in the third quarter of 2026, and its hybrid cloud business, built around Red Hat, grew 11%.
IBM is buying its way into the data that AI needs. In March 2026 it completed its purchase of Confluent for an enterprise value of about $11 billion. Confluent's real-time data streaming is used by more than 6,500 enterprises and by 40% of the Fortune 500. IBM is also betting heavily on quantum computing. It plans to build Starling, a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, by 2029. In August 2026 it connected its first modular cryogenic systems, a step toward that goal.
IBM says 40% of the Fortune 500 use Confluent, the real-time data company it bought in March 2026 for an enterprise value of about $11 billion.
Why IBM ranks #22
IBM ranks #22 with a WCRC Power Score of 75.08, a fraction behind Instagram and Marriott and just ahead of Delta and Adobe. Its strengths are consumer trust built over more than a century, deep product and innovation work in AI and quantum, and solid governance. It lacks the daily consumer contact that lifts Instagram and Marriott. Against Delta and Adobe, its long record running critical systems for governments and banks keeps it narrowly in front.
The Achilles' heel
IBM's challenge is growth and visibility. The company expects revenue growth of only 4% to 5% at constant currency in 2026. Some older lines are shrinking: IBM Z mainframe revenue fell 20% in the third quarter of 2026, and consulting revenue was flat. Younger consumers rarely meet the IBM name directly, which makes the brand harder to refresh even as its technology stays central to large organizations.
The 2026 story
2026 was a year of big bets for IBM. It closed the Confluent acquisition on March 17, 2026. On Aug. 19 it said it had connected its first modular cryogenic systems, a milestone toward fault-tolerant quantum machines, and on Aug. 26 it completed the purchase of HRL Laboratories. On Oct. 21 IBM reported third-quarter revenue up 5% and raised its cash outlook, saying it now expects free cash flow to rise by more than $1 billion this year.
Pillar profile
IBM's full 50-parameter profile is published on its World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 page.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is IBM in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
IBM ranks #22 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 75.08 out of 100.
What makes IBM powerful?
IBM is trusted by governments and banks for critical systems, and its watsonx and quantum work keep it relevant.
What is IBM's revenue?
$67.5bn revenue (FY2025, +7.6%), group revenue of International Business Machines Corporation, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns IBM?
IBM was founded in 1911 by Charles Ranlett Flint (as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company). It is owned by International Business Machines Corporation and based in Armonk, New York.
Who leads IBM?
Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO.
What is IBM's biggest challenge?
It is no longer a household name for younger consumers, and growth is modest.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Technology & Digital brands
- America's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- American Global Powerhouses
- Most powerful brands in New York
Key facts
| Brand | IBM |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | International Business Machines Corporation |
| Headquarters | Armonk, New York, United States |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder(s) | Charles Ranlett Flint (as Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company) |
| Leadership | Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO |
| Latest revenue | $67.5bn revenue (FY2025, +7.6%), group revenue of International Business Machines Corporation, as per company filings |
| Sector | Technology & Digital |
| Website | ibm.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of International Business Machines Corporation filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
