Wall Street Breakfast IBM to buy Confluent in further AI push
Dec 8, 2025
IBM's ambitious plans to acquire Confluent for $11 billion highlight their focus on hybrid cloud and AI advancements. In China, new additions to the private insurance drug catalog feature therapies from major players like Lilly, Pfizer, and J&J, showcasing a shift in pharmaceutical coverage. Additionally, the U.S. government rolls out a significant $12 billion aid package for farmers, aimed at bolstering the agricultural sector. Stay tuned for insights into market trends and economic expectations.
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IBM Targets Real-Time Data To Boost AI
- IBM is negotiating to acquire Confluent for about $11 billion to strengthen hybrid cloud and AI capabilities.
- Confluent's Apache Kafka-based streaming tech would bolster IBM's analytics and enterprise cloud offerings against AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Kafka Founders Power Confluent's Edge
- Confluent was founded by Apache Kafka creators and specializes in managing real-time data streams crucial for AI and enterprise automation.
- Integrating this capability gives IBM a strategic edge in providing low-latency data to AI models and automated systems.
China Adds High-Cost Drugs To Private Catalog
- China's private insurance catalog will include expensive innovative drugs to expand access via negotiated discounts of 15–50%.
- This shifts costly therapies from state insurance to private plans, targeting conditions like cancer and Alzheimer's.