Discontinued — last reported Q2 '17
Stock-based compensation expense
International Business Machines Stock-based compensation expense increased by 16.6% to $498.00M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 35.7%, from $367.00M to $498.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Stock-based compensation expense shows an upward trend with a 26.3% CAGR. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.
Analysis
How to read this metric
A significant increase may indicate higher talent retention costs or aggressive equity incentive programs, which can dilute existing shareholders.
Detailed definition
This metric captures the total non-cash expense recognized by the company for granting stock options, restricted stock u...
Peer comparison
Common across all industries, particularly in large-cap companies with robust executive and employee incentive plans.
is_cat_stock_based_compensation_expenseHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $124.00M | $277.00M | $129.00M | $221.00M | $199.00M | $315.00M | $227.00M | $332.00M | $288.00M | $350.00M | $330.00M | $502.00M | $356.00M | $512.00M | $367.00M | $533.00M | $479.00M | $427.00M | $498.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +123.4% | -53.4% | +71.3% | -10.0% | +58.3% | -27.9% | +46.3% | -13.3% | +21.5% | -5.7% | +52.1% | -29.1% | +43.8% | -28.3% | +45.2% | -10.1% | -10.9% | +16.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +60.5% | +13.7% | +76.0% | +50.2% | +44.7% | +11.1% | +45.4% | +51.2% | +23.6% | +46.3% | +11.2% | +6.2% | +34.6% | -16.6% | +35.7% |
Stock-based compensation expense at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is International Business Machines's stock-based compensation expense?
- International Business Machines (IBM) reported stock-based compensation expense of $498.00M in Q4 2025.
- How has International Business Machines's stock-based compensation expense changed year-over-year?
- International Business Machines's stock-based compensation expense increased by 35.7% year-over-year, from $367.00M to $498.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for International Business Machines's stock-based compensation expense?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), International Business Machines's stock-based compensation expense has grown at a 26.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $762.00M to $1.94B.
- What does stock-based compensation expense mean?
- The cost of paying employees with company stock instead of cash.