) IBM pension liability approaches 100 billion USD [1] ) IBM has a number of low profit IT services. Cutting the services completely out of their portfolio, fo

) IBM pension liability approaches 100 billion USD [1] ) IBM has a number of low profit IT services. Cutting the services completely out of their portfolio, for one reason or another, at this point in time -- was not an option My conjecture is the above are the reasons, and will continue to be reasons for layoffs specifically in US or other high-cost locations Another prediction: If you look at the list in [1]. And see an IT company with large generic IT services portfolio, and shrinking product portfolio (software or hardware does not matter) -- they will do similar layoffs until they become 'leaders' again, or declare bankruptcy or get a bailout. [1] http://www.valuewalk.com/2013/05/corporate-pensions-most-underfunded/ http://www.valuewalk.com/2013/05/corporate-pensions-most-und... (this list is from 2013, but my search for more recent data indicates not much has changed)