management change

IBM has realigned its executive suites and expanded the roles of four of its top managers, according to an internal memo sent to employees Monday -- a move that potentially paves the way for one of them to become the successor to CEO Sam Palmisano.

Investors reacted swiftly and negatively after the tax preparer announced that Russ Smyth was leaving. Alan Bennett, the former interim CEO, is coming back to the position permanently. Still, news clearly unsettled investors.