S&P Global Inc. - SPGI STOCK NEWS

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) will announce its first quarter 2021 results on April 29, 2021, at approximately 7:15 a.m. EDT. A conference call will follow at 8:30 a.m. EDT, hosted by President and CEO Douglas L. Peterson and CFO Ewout Steenbergen. Participants can join the call via telephone or webcast, with access details available on the Investor Relations website. The presentation will include forward-looking insights. S&P Global continues to enhance its offerings in credit ratings and market analytics.

S&P Dow Jones Indices reported a significant increase in U.S. dividend net changes, which rose by $18.0 billion in Q1 2021, compared to $9.5 billion in Q4 2020. This marks the highest quarterly increase since Q1 2012. Aggregate dividend payments for the S&P 500 reached $123.9 billion, while the per-share dividend rose to $14.68. The total dividend cuts decreased by 45.1% to $2.4 billion. Analysts anticipate record profits in the second half of the year, suggesting that more companies may begin to increase their dividends.

S&P Global Platts has launched new daily Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) assessments for four Aframax routes originating in Europe, effective April 1, 2021. These assessments aim to provide transparency on net daily revenues from crude vessels in the region. The routes include the Baltic-UK Continent, UK Continent-UK Continent, Ceyhan-Mediterranean, and Black Sea-Mediterranean. Platts will publish TCEs for scrubber-fitted and non-scrubber fitted vessels, reflecting different bunker fuel usage.

S&P Global Platts has launched the first daily hydrogen price assessments for the UK, effective April 1, 2021, in response to market demand for insights into hydrogen production costs. The assessments will cover three production methods: Autothermal Reforming with Carbon Capture, Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis, and Alkaline Electrolysis, expressed in GBP/kilogram and GBP/kilowatthour. The UK government recently allocated £171 million to support nine decarbonization projects. With a projected £6.54 billion investment in 26 low carbon hydrogen projects, the UK aims to boost its hydrogen economy as part of its 2050 Net Zero plan.

S&P Global Ratings has assigned a score of E1/80 to Nelnet Inc.'s $9.9 million solar tax equity fund, the highest possible rating on their scale. The fund targets four photovoltaic solar projects in Upstate New York. Kimberly Garen, the report's author, noted that while these projects contribute to decarbonization, New York's low carbon-intensity grid limits their global ranking. The governance and transparency of the fund are strong, with annual third-party audits for environmental and financial impacts. This evaluation is distinct from credit ratings and focuses on environmental credentials.

S&P Dow Jones Indices reports significant growth in U.S. home prices, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index showing an 11.2% annual gain for January 2021, up from 10.4% in December 2020. The 10-City Composite rose 10.9% and the 20-City Composite reached 11.1%. Phoenix saw the highest increase at 15.8%, followed by Seattle and San Diego. All 20 cities reported price growth, marking a continued trend of rising home prices driven by shifts in buyer preferences during the pandemic. January's growth represents the highest annual gain since February 2006.

S&P Global Platts and SEA-LNG have announced a collaboration aimed at enhancing the visibility of LNG fuel pricing. Under this agreement, SEA-LNG will feature Platts' daily LNG bunker price assessments on its website, along with fuel oil bunker assessments. This initiative is designed to increase transparency in bunker pricing, particularly in Rotterdam and Singapore. The partnership reflects an ongoing effort to support the transition to LNG as a sustainable marine fuel. S&P Global Platts previously established the first daily LNG bunker valuation in September 2019.