rumors

In its Q4 2012, IBM’s earnings rose but revenues were essentially flat. Meanwhile, NetApp’s Q2 2013 results (announced Nov. 14, 2012) revealed falling net income and flat revenues. NetApp’s next earnings report is due Feb. 13, 2013, after U.S. markets close.

In the meantime, Bloomberg has a speculative story that basically asks Wall Street watchers which companies could be on IBM’s M&A target list. Shaw Wu, a widely quoted analyst from Sterne Agee, said speculation about IBM potentially buying NetApp has been around for years. But Wu never suggested IBM was in discussions to buy NetApp. Wu also speculated that companies like Juniper Networks and Akamai could also be on IBM’s target list.

Yada, yada, yada: There’s no hard news here other than the following: Bloomberg generated a speculative story and now the possible IBM-NetApp hookup is going viral. CRN’s resulting headline: IBM looks to acquire NetApp. Really? According to whom?

Sure, it could happen. But let’s all draw a clear line between industry speculation vs. sources who are aware of (A) IBM’s actual M&A plans or (B) actual takeover discussions.

Still, a potential IBM-NetApp combination could trigger a domino effect across the IT landscape. Cisco Systems has been working more and more closely with NetApp. And, NetApp has been working with Amazon and other cloud companies to help customers burst their on-premises private cloud storage up to public clouds.

Intriguing times… But no real M&A discussions… At least not so far…