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IBM's management tone tended to become more positive when quarterly net income improved.
Does not remain notable after adjusting for hundreds of tests. Why?
The analysis measures a same-filing relationship, not a forecast. Limitations
Each dot represents one 10-Q filing. Points farther right have more positive MD&A tone. Points higher on the chart had stronger year-over-year net income growth, after extreme percent changes are capped. Upper-right and lower-left points indicate tone and earnings moving in the same direction. How to read this chart
Tone and earnings moved in the same direction in 9 of 14 comparable quarters.
9 / 14 direction agreement
How is agreement calculated?| Spearman ρ (exact) | 0.693 (p=0.004) |
|---|---|
| Pearson r | 0.263 (p=0.344) |
| 95% CI (Pearson) | [-0.29, 0.68] |
| FDR q | 0.605 |
| Sample size (n) | 15 · More established sample |
| Agreement | 9 / 14 (9 / 14) |
Secondary to net income because revenue concepts are less comparable across some industries.
Annual samples are shorter and are not mixed into the default quarterly board.
Tone shown to three decimals so small nonzero values stay visible.
| Date | Form | Tone | Net income YoY | Revenue YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 2026 | 10-Q | +0.090 | -1.3% | +1.1% |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 10-Q | +0.176 | +15.3% | +9.5% |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 10-Q | +0.156 | +628.5% | +9.1% |
| Jul 24, 2025 | 10-Q | +0.189 | +19.6% | +7.7% |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 10-Q | +0.072 | -34.3% | +0.5% |
| Oct 30, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.092 | -119.4% | +1.5% |
| Jul 30, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.163 | +15.9% | +1.9% |
| Apr 30, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.229 | +73.1% | +1.5% |
| Oct 31, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.132 | +153.3% | +4.6% |
| Jul 25, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.100 | +13.7% | -0.4% |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.152 | +26.5% | +0.4% |
| Oct 25, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.119 | -382.8% | -19.9% |
| Jul 25, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.093 | +5.1% | -17.1% |
| Apr 26, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.134 | -23.2% | -19.9% |
| Nov 5, 2021 | 10-Q | -0.013 | -33.5% | +0.3% |
| Date | Form | Tone | Net income YoY | Revenue YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2026 | 10-K | -0.005 | +75.9% | +7.6% |
| Feb 25, 2025 | 10-K | -0.005 | -19.7% | +1.4% |
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10-K | -0.005 | +357.7% | +2.2% |
| Feb 28, 2023 | 10-K | -0.005 | -71.5% | +5.5% |
| Feb 22, 2022 | 10-K | -0.006 | +2.7% | -22.1% |