IBM in Advanced Talks to Acquire Confluent for $11 Billion

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) is in advanced negotiations to acquire Confluent Inc. for approximately $11 billion. The deal, if confirmed, would be among IBM’s largest acquisitions in recent years.

Confluent is currently valued at about $8 billion and focuses on managing real-time data streams essential for artificial intelligence development. Reports indicate that the agreement could be announced as early as Monday.

Details of the Proposed Acquisition

The acquisition would expand IBM’s capabilities in data infrastructure, which is critical for AI-driven applications. Confluent provides technology that enables businesses to organise and move data efficiently across systems.

IBM aims to integrate these capabilities into its hybrid cloud and AI offerings to strengthen enterprise solutions. The transaction is expected to be finalised soon, according to reports.

Market Reaction and Share Performance

Confluent shares rose 20% in Blue Ocean trading as of 11:50 a.m. in Singapore following reports of the potential acquisition. Trading volumes exceeded the monthly average, indicating increased market activity around the stock.

Industry Context and Recent Deals

The computing infrastructure sector has recorded multiple acquisitions in 2025, driven by demand for data management tools supporting AI applications. In May, Salesforce Inc. announced an $8 billion acquisition of Informatica Inc. Earlier this year, IBM completed a $6.4 billion purchase of HashiCorp Inc., adding cloud infrastructure capabilities to its portfolio. These transactions highlight the ongoing consolidation in the technology industry focused on AI and data solutions.

Strategic Impact on IBM

The proposed acquisition would add Confluent’s real-time data streaming technology to IBM’s existing cloud and AI platforms. This integration would allow IBM to offer more comprehensive solutions for enterprises managing large-scale data.

Read More: Nifty IT Index Hits 4-Month High.

Conclusion

IBM’s potential $11 billion acquisition of Confluent represents a major development in the technology sector. The deal would strengthen IBM’s portfolio in data infrastructure and complement its recent acquisitions.

Market activity following the news indicates strong interest in companies providing AI-related data solutions. If finalised, the transaction would be one of IBM’s largest deals in recent years.

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