IBM CEO Arvind Krishna tells CNBC that some large technology deals were put on hold toward the end of the quarter as businesses rethink their spending amid rapidly changing technology priorities. In related reporting, Krishna’s comments are described as coinciding with a broader market reaction to IBM results: IBM’s preliminary second-quarter performance is said to have missed Wall Street expectations, contributing to a share price decline and a reduction in market value. While the overall IBM narrative is tied to execution and forecast concerns, both reports point to investor focus on how companies are allocating budgets as AI advances. Several cybersecurity-focused outlets report that investors interpret the pause and reassessment of deals—particularly those related to technology purchases—as an opportunity for cybersecurity vendors, with expectations of increased or re-prioritized spending for protection. The coverage also emphasizes that concerns around AI and its risks are leading organizations to adjust which initiatives move forward, and which are delayed, with cybersecurity viewed as a continuing priority rather than a discretionary target.