S&P Global Inc. - SPGI STOCK NEWS

S&P Global Platts has partnered with Viridios Capital to create AI-driven carbon indices aimed at enhancing transparency in voluntary carbon credit markets. The collaboration combines Platts' price assessment data with Viridios' environmental AI technology to provide clarity on the market value of carbon credits and their associated co-benefits tied to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The new indices will analyze over 20,000 data points and daily price assessments to help market participants better understand and invest in carbon credits.

S&P Dow Jones Indices reported a 10.4% annual increase in the U.S. National Home Price NSA Index for December 2020, up from 9.5% in November. The 10-City Composite and 20-City Composite indices saw year-over-year gains of 9.8% and 10.1%, respectively. Phoenix, Seattle, and San Diego led the cities with the highest price increases. Despite challenges due to COVID-19 affecting data from Wayne County, the overall trend shows a strong housing market with double-digit gains completing the year, marking the best performance since 2013.

S&P Global Platts has signed a fellowship agreement with KAPSARC, granting research fellows access to its comprehensive data on oil, natural gas, LNG, petrochemicals, coal, electricity, renewables, and nuclear pricing. This collaboration aims to enhance research in energy markets by facilitating in-depth analysis of economic and political factors influencing these sectors. Dr. Fahad M. Alturki from KAPSARC emphasized the value of this data for research, while Dave Ernsberger of S&P highlighted the commitment to support academic studies in commodity markets.

S&P Global Ratings has adjusted its COVID-19 corporate sector recovery expectations, indicating stabilization in recovery views. The recovery timeline varies significantly across sectors, with projections extending to 2022 or beyond for many. Sectors like travel and leisure continue to face challenges, while consumer staples, technology, health care, and homebuilders show stronger resilience. The report emphasizes the influence of regional factors, vaccine availability, and fiscal support on recovery paths, with developed markets anticipated to recover faster than emerging ones.

S&P Global Platts announced significant changes to the Dated Brent benchmark, incorporating WTI Midland and amending to a delivered Rotterdam basis. Effective from July 2022, this change follows extensive feedback from market participants, highlighting the growing importance of WTI Midland with over 1 million barrels per day in export volumes. The adjustments aim to simplify assessments and enhance the benchmark's robustness, ensuring relevance for the European crude oil market over the next decade.

S&P Global Platts has announced the expansion of its Energy Transition capabilities at the London Energy Forum. This initiative aims to enhance market transparency in the commodities sector. The new offering includes Future Energy Outlooks, a Global Integrated Energy Model covering 143 countries, innovative Energy Transition Price Assessments, and a dedicated Energy Transition News feed. These tools are designed to aid market participants in navigating the complexities of the Energy Transition, allowing for informed investment strategies.

S&P Global has announced the addition of four independent directors from IHS Markit to its board following their merger agreement. The directors, Jacques Esculier, Gay Huey Evans, Robert P. Kelly, and Deborah Doyle McWhinney, are set to join after the transaction's expected closure in H2 2021. Their diverse backgrounds in finance and industry aim to enhance the board's leadership. The merger is anticipated to strengthen S&P Global's market position, but completion depends on various regulatory and shareholder approvals.

S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian released the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices data for January 2021, showing a composite rate increase of two basis points to 0.48%. The bank card default rate rose by nine basis points to 2.72%, while the first mortgage default rate increased by three basis points to 0.32%. Conversely, the auto loan default rate decreased by eight basis points to 0.56%. Four out of five major metropolitan areas reported higher default rates, with Miami's rate reaching 0.95%.