S&P Global - SPGI STOCK NEWS

S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian released the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices data for September 2020, showing a composite default rate of 0.63%, a decline of four basis points from August. The bank card default rate decreased to 3.00%, while the auto loan default rate rose slightly to 0.56%. Notably, the first mortgage default rate fell to 0.46%. All major metropolitan areas reported lower default rates, with Miami experiencing the largest drop to 1.80%. Data highlights indicate trends in consumer credit behavior and financial stability.

On October 19, 2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence released a study titled Sweet Spots in the C-Suite, outlining best practices for CEOs to enhance shareholder value. Key findings include that balancing profitability and growth is crucial, as rapid asset growth can harm performance. Insider stock purchases indicate management confidence, benefiting market sentiment. Additionally, smaller M&A deals are preferable to large ones, which can hinder returns. Finally, strategies emphasizing cash return to shareholders through buybacks and dividends yield positive excess returns.

According to a joint study by S&P Global and AARP, nearly 60% of employees in large U.S. companies are dedicating more time to childcare and caregiving since COVID-19. The report, titled Something's Gotta Give, reveals that while family leave policies are expanding, the pandemic is disproportionately impacting women in the workforce. Only 10% of companies offer substantial paid family leave. The research highlights the importance of supportive workplace policies to retain women, especially as caregiving responsibilities rise amidst the pandemic.

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) has released its 2020 Investor Fact Book, titled Accelerating Progress in the World, available for download on its website. The document showcases the company’s strategic initiatives to enhance growth, customer value, and productivity. Significant highlights include advancements in sustainability through ESG capabilities, the launch of the S&P Global Marketplace for alternative datasets, and the integration of data science to bolster competitive advantage. Additionally, it contains key investor information such as bond issuance data and S&P Global Ratings' historical performance.

Trucost, a part of S&P Global, has launched its new EU Taxonomy Revenue Share dataset, designed to assess the percentage of company revenues tied to sustainable activities per EU guidelines. Covering over 15,000 companies that represent 99% of global market capitalization, it helps financial institutions comply with upcoming EU disclosure requirements. The dataset goes back to 2005, enabling evaluations of business activity eligibility over time and can be used to assess investment portfolios. This initiative aligns with the EU's Sustainable Finance Action Plan.

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) has received two significant honors from Working Mother for its exceptional parental benefits. The company made the list of the 100 Best Companies recognized for offering paid parental leave and promoting family-friendly policies, as well as being named among the Best Companies for Dads. Notably, S&P Global provides a minimum of 20 weeks of global parental leave, significantly above the average of 11 weeks among the top companies. Recent expansions include a new 6-week paid care leave policy to support employees during COVID-19.

S&P Dow Jones Indices reported a decline of $2.3 billion in indicated dividends for U.S. domestic common stocks in Q3 2020, compared to a more substantial decline of $42.5 billion in Q2 2020. Aggregate dividend increases rose by 26.0% to $8.4 billion, while cuts decreased significantly by 78.1% to $10.8 billion. Over the past 12 months, net dividends fell by $39.7 billion, contrasting with a gain of $42.2 billion the previous year. The average dividend payment for S&P 500 fell to $13.97, indicating challenges in maintaining shareholder value.

S&P Global Ratings has achieved first place in three categories at the GlobalCapital Bond Awards 2020: Corporate Bonds, Financial Institutions, and Emerging Markets. The recognition highlights the company's innovative analysis and commitment to transparency in an extraordinary year marked by global challenges. According to S&P's leadership, the success is attributed to the team's collaboration and responsiveness to market demands. These awards reinforce S&P's position as a trusted provider of credit risk analysis and signify strong client engagement throughout the year.