International Business Machines Corporation - IBM STOCK NEWS

The IBM Institute for Business Value, alongside Chief, released a study revealing that the pipeline for women in leadership has weakened, with only 12% representation in C-suite and Board roles. Junior roles saw an increase to 40%, but senior vice president roles dropped to 14%, down from 18% in 2019. Alarmingly, only 45% of organizations prioritize advancing women in leadership. The study highlights optimism about gender parity in leadership, although real change remains slow. Recommendations include integrating women's advancement into business strategies and addressing biases within organizations. Full study available here.

IBM's recent survey indicates that the high costs associated with training for science and technology careers are a major concern for UK job seekers and career changers. This perception of unaffordability could hinder the UK's ambitions to become a leading tech hub, akin to Silicon Valley. The Chief Impact Officer at IBM, Justina Nixon-Saintil, emphasized the transformative potential of technology training and the importance of raising awareness about the variety of roles available in these fields. The findings raise alarms about potential workforce shortages in the science and tech sectors if training barriers are not addressed.

On February 22, 2023, IBM released its annual X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, highlighting major changes in cybersecurity threats. Although ransomware incidents decreased slightly, the average time to execute a ransomware attack dropped from 2 months to less than 4 days. The report identified manufacturing as the most extorted industry, with 44% of extortion cases concentrated in Europe. Additionally, thread hijacking attempts doubled, indicating a shift in tactics among cybercriminals. The report underscores the necessity for businesses to adopt proactive security strategies to combat evolving threats.

IBM is addressing global food security challenges by empowering smallholder farmers in Latin America through technology. With 828 million people affected by hunger, the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program collaborates with Plan21 Foundation to develop tools that enhance agricultural productivity. The initiative includes a mobile app named YvY, which provides farmers with critical data insights to improve crop management and adapt to climate change. Initial testing has involved 190 farmers in Costa Rica and aims to expand to 1,600 producers across several countries by 2023, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

Star Mountain Capital has appointed George Mattson as President, a newly created position, to enhance its growth and performance. Mattson, a former partner at Goldman Sachs with 35 years of experience, will also serve on the firm's Investment and Executive Committees. With approximately $3.5 billion in assets under management, Star Mountain focuses on investments in established lower middle-market businesses. The firm has made about 200 direct investments since 2010, emphasizing the creation of jobs and economic development in North America.