UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report:  September 12, 2008

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New York

 

1-2360

 

13-0871985

(State of Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

ARMONK, NEW YORK

 

10504

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

914-499-1900

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 7.01 (Regulation FD Disclosure)

 

Attachment I of this Form 8-K contains information that is being posted on IBM’s Investor Relations website (www.ibm.com/investor/). All of the information in Attachment I is hereby furnished.

 

IBM’s web site (www.ibm.com) contains a significant amount of information about IBM, including financial and other information for investors (www.ibm.com/investor/).  IBM encourages investors to visit its various web sites from time to time, as information is updated and new information is posted.

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: September 12, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  James J. Kavanaugh

 

 

James J. Kavanaugh

 

 

 

Vice President and
Controller

 

 

3



 

Attachment I

 

IBM to make changes in the presentation of Global Services signings in 2009

 

September 12, 2008

 

IBM has historically presented signings and backlog using rates that approximate constant currency.  In the first quarter 2008, IBM began reporting Global Services signings at actual currency rates, in addition to constant currency rates.

 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2009, IBM will focus its metrics for signings and backlog using actual currency rates.  Specifically, IBM will present signings at actual rates, year-to-year signings growth at both actual rates and at constant currency rates, and backlog at actual rates.  With this change, IBM will no longer provide signings dollars at approximated constant currency rates, or backlog at approximated constant currency rates.  This approach for signings will be consistent with the way in which IBM reports revenue.

 

To provide investors with historical perspective, IBM is providing signings at actual rates for 2006 and 2007.  (Schedule 1)  Estimated backlog at actual rates will be provided in a future communication.

 

Schedule 1: 2007 and 2006 Signings at actual rates

 

Global Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signings ($M)

 

4Q 2007

 

3Q 2007

 

2Q 2007

 

1Q 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Services Signings @ actual

 

$

18,036

 

$

13,246

 

$

13,110

 

$

11,902

 

Global Business Services Short Term

 

$

4,521

 

$

3,360

 

$

3,568

 

$

3,645

 

Global Technology Services Short Term

 

$

3,334

 

$

2,017

 

$

2,334

 

$

2,091

 

Global Business Services Long Term

 

$

2,247

 

$

1,695

 

$

1,988

 

$

917

 

Global Technology Services Long Term

 

$

7,934

 

$

6,174

 

$

5,220

 

$

5,248

 

 

Global Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signings ($M)

 

4Q 2006

 

3Q 2006

 

2Q 2006

 

1Q 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Services Signings @ actual

 

$

20,047

 

$

11,108

 

$

10,257

 

$

12,004

 

Global Business Services Short Term

 

$

3,934

 

$

3,447

 

$

3,290

 

$

3,115

 

Global Technology Services Short Term

 

$

2,864

 

$

2,079

 

$

2,091

 

$

1,959

 

Global Business Services Long Term

 

$

4,325

 

$

909

 

$

1,154

 

$

1,152

 

Global Technology Services Long Term

 

$

8,924

 

$

4,672

 

$

3,722

 

$

5,779