"IBM's 2024 Sales Soar Amid Job Cuts and Cost Savings"

IBM forecasts strong revenue and free cash flow for 2024, with a projected $12 billion in free cash flow and mid-single digit revenue growth, despite plans to cut a percentage of positions. The company is focusing on AI and streamlining its operations around software and services, while also introducing new products to capitalize on the growing interest in artificial intelligence. IBM's fourth-quarter sales increased 4.1% to $17.4 billion, with consulting and software revenue just below analyst estimates. The company's shares gained about 7.5% in premarket trading following the positive outlook.