If my foresight were as clear as my hindsight, I should be better off by a damned sight.

J. L. Mott, President of the Iron and Steel Association, 1873

IBM Acquisitions by CEO by Year: 2001 through 2025

Date Published: July 28, 2021
Date Modified: April 4, 2026

A high-quality, black-and-white image of a man watching an airplane pulling a banner with the tagline:

Until IBM's 2024 Annual report, the corporation listed individually the yearly acquisitions as shown in the chart provided here from its 2023 Annual Report. It no longer provides this information in a detailed, transparent matter.

This is why the chart documenting the individual IBM 2024 and 2025 acquisitions have the following disclaimer: "Unlike previous years, these acquisitions are not itemized in IBM’s Annual Report and as such there may be errors in ... and future updates coming to ... this list."

This does not affect the following information provided on this page as this information is still provided within all of IBM's Annual Reports: (1) the total number of yearly acquisitions, (2) the total amount spent yearly for acquisitions, (3) goodwill, and (4) the overall total amount spent.

Starting in 2024, it is just the individual details behind these acquisitions that is provided "as is" from deeper research.

Image from IBM's 2023 Annual report that shows the detail that was not provided in its 2024 Annual Report: A breakdown of IBM acquisitions by quarter throughout the year.

IBM 2023 acquisitions by quarter

Peter E. Greulich, March 22, 2026

The following goodwill accounting change was made in 2001 and adopted by IBM this same year:

"SFAS No. 142 eliminates the amortization of goodwill, requires annual impairment testing of goodwill and introduces the concept of indefinite life intangible assets. It was adopted on January 1, 2002. The new rules also prohibits the amortization of goodwill associated with business combinations that close after June 30, 2001."

To understand how IBM's usage of a 2001 goodwill accounting change for its 245 acquisitions from 2001 through 2025 listed here at a total cost of more than $110 billion has been increasing IBM's shareholder risk read this article: [Shareholder Risk]

This is a list of IBM acquisitions 2001 through and including 2025. These acquisitions are listed by year for each Chief Executive Officer. Each list for each IBM CEO includes the total number of acquisitions and total amount spent each year on that year's acquisitions.

Arvind Krishna Acquisitions
Total Acquisitions: 60 acquisitions
Total Outlay: $24.8 Billion
List of Acquisitions: 2020 to 2025

A high-quality, black-and-white image listing IBM's ten acquisitions in 2025, along with the total amount paid for these acquisitions and percentage of goodwill.

A high-quality, black-and-white image listing IBM's eleven acquisitions in 2024, along with the total amount paid for these acquisitions and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's nine acquisitions in 2023, along with the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's eight acquisitions in 2022, the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's fifteen acquisitions in 2021, the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's seven acquisitions in 2020, the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

Virginia M. Rometty Acquisitions
Total Acquisitions: 64 acquisitions
Total Outlay: $52.5 Billion
List of Acquisitions: 2012 to 2019

An image listing IBM's one acquisition (Red Hat) in 2019, the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's two acquisitions in 2018, the total amount paid, and total percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's five acquisitions in 2017, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's fifteen acquisitions in 2016, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's fourteen acquisitions in 2015, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's six acquisitions in 2014, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's ten acquisitions in 2013, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's eleven acquisitions in 2012, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

Samuel J. Palmisano Acquisitions
Total Acquisitions: 119 Acquisitions
Total Outlay: $33.7 Billion
List of Acquisitions: 2002 to 2011

An image listing IBM's five acquisitions in 2011, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's seventeen acquisitions in 2010, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's six acquisitions in 2009, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's fifteen acquisitions in 2008, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's twelve acquisitions in 2007, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's thirteen acquisitions in 2006, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's sixteen acquisitions in 2005, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's fourteen acquisitions in 2004, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's nine acquisitions in 2003, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

An image listing IBM's twelve acquisitions in 2002, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

Louis V. Gerstner Acquisitions
Total Acquisitions: 2 Acquisitions
Total Outlay: $1.1 Billion
List of Acquisitions: 2001

An image listing IBM's two acquisitions in 2001, the total amount paid and percentage of goodwill.

Return to IBM's 21st Century Corporate Practices Home Page

© 2026 Peter E. Greulich. All Rights Reserved
Information posted on this site recognizes the legal right of copyrighted material. The following material is considered in the public domain effective January 1, 2026: (1) Works published in the United States prior to January 1, 1930, (2) All unpublished works created over 120 years ago, (3) Works published in the United States before 1978 that have no © copyright notice, and (4) Works published in the United States after 1930 but before 1964 with a proper © copyright notice that were not renewed in their 28th year. Some information is used here that does not fit this criteria. This type of material has been purposely minimized, and it is used in good faith, usually with an attribution, and in the belief that such usage would withstand a test of fair use. This site also utilizes images from Pixabay that are "free to use under the Pixabay license" and "do not require attribution." Any concerns with the public domain, fair usage, or attribution of material utilized on this site will be removed until a discussion can resolve the matter with its permanent removal or republication. To reach us, use the "Contact" menu item above or this hyperlink: [Contact Us]