Confluent (NASDAQ:CFLT) is a data infrastructure company that specializes in real-time data streaming. It provides a platform that allows businesses to harness data in motion, enabling them to build applications that react and respond to data in real-time. Confluent competes with other data management and streaming companies, such as Apache Kafka and Amazon Kinesis.

On December 8, 2025, Piper Sandler downgraded Confluent from an Overweight rating to a Neutral rating, with the stock priced at $29.74. This downgrade comes amid significant developments for Confluent, as IBM has announced its acquisition of the company for $11 billion in cash. The acquisition is valued at $31.00 per share, slightly above the current stock price of $29.75. The acquisition by IBM is a strategic move to bolster its data and automation offerings, as highlighted by the growing trend of companies moving to the cloud and adopting AI technology. This deal is IBM's largest since 2019, underscoring its importance in enhancing IBM's capabilities in managing data for artificial intelligence.

Despite the downgrade by Piper Sandler, Confluent's stock has seen a notable increase of 28.54%, with a change of $6.61. The stock has fluctuated between $29.70 and $29.86 today, with a market capitalization of approximately $10.41 billion. The trading volume is high, with 66.97 million shares exchanged, indicating strong investor interest.

Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating the fairness of the proposed sale to IBM, focusing on whether the deal serves the best interests of Confluent shareholders and if the board has met its fiduciary duties. This investigation highlights the importance of ensuring that the acquisition terms are favorable for all stakeholders involved.