Why did IBM's R&D expenses surge in late 2024?

IBM's Research and Development (R&D) expenses increased to $1.97 billion in late 2024, which can be attributed to several factors: 1. **Innovation Focus**: IBM has been focusing on innovation and strategic partnerships to drive growth. This includes collaborations with companies like SAP, Amazon, and Microsoft. Such partnerships and investments in R&D are crucial for developing new products and services, especially in areas like hybrid cloud and AI, which are growing rapidly. 2. **Growth Initiatives**: The company has been investing in growth initiatives like the generative AI book of business, which grew to over $5 billion. These initiatives require significant R&D investments to develop new capabilities and offerings. In conclusion, IBM's R&D expenses surge in late 2024 was likely driven by the company's innovation focus and growth initiatives. These investments are essential for maintaining its competitive edge in the evolving tech landscape.