S&P Global Stock Price, News & Analysis

First Mortgage Default Rate Reaches Highest Level Since March 2021

On March 15, 2022, S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian reported an increase in the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices. The composite rate rose by 3 basis points to 0.46%, marking the third consecutive month of increases. The first mortgage default rate climbed to 0.34%, up 3 basis points. Moreover, the bank card default rate increased to 2.15%, while auto loan defaults slightly decreased to 0.52%. Notably, New York saw the biggest jump in defaults, reaching 0.64%.

S&P Dow Jones Indices reported that S&P 500 share buybacks hit a record $270.1 billion in Q4 2021, a 15.1% increase from Q3 2021. For the entire year, buybacks totaled $881.7 billion, up 69.6% from 2020. Despite a decline in the number of companies participating in buybacks, the trend remains strong with expectations of continued buybacks in Q1 2022 due to decreased share prices, potentially boosting earnings-per-share (EPS). The total shareholder return, combining buybacks and dividends, reached a record $404 billion in Q4 2021.

Academy Sports and Outdoors (ASO) will replace Kraton (KRA) in the S&P SmallCap 600 index effective March 16, 2022. This change follows DL Chemical's acquisition of Kraton, which is expected to finalize on March 15. As a result, ASO will be added to the index while KRA will be removed. This shift highlights ASO's growing presence in the consumer discretionary sector.

automotiveMastermind, part of S&P Global Mobility, announced enhancements to its Mastermind platform aimed at boosting dealership service-to-sales operations. Key improvements include:

• Service-to-Sales Generator: Increases customer engagement and loyalty by targeting current and prospective vehicle owners.
• Dealertrack DMS Integration: Streamlines customer notifications to enhance service and sales efficiency.
• Expansion of Recall Data: Enables dealers to identify customers with open recalls, fostering retention and future sales.

These enhancements are designed to generate additional revenue opportunities amid inventory shortages.

S&P Global Ratings has announced the suspension of its commercial operations in Russia due to safety concerns for its personnel. The company will continue to support its existing ratings analytically from outside the country and has implemented a comprehensive business continuity plan. Importantly, this move does not constitute a rating action. S&P Global Ratings remains a leading provider of independent credit ratings globally and emphasizes its commitment to delivering essential market intelligence.

S&P Global has announced the suspension of its commercial operations in Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The company, a key provider of independent news, research, and analytics, will continue to deliver critical information on Russian markets to help clients make informed decisions. S&P Global emphasizes its commitment to supporting its employees during this transition, asserting that their wellbeing is a primary concern. The company remains focused on providing essential intelligence to assist organizations in navigating global market challenges.

The 2022 Asia Pacific Fintech Market Report from S&P Global Market Intelligence reveals that venture capital investments in APAC-based fintechs hit a record $15.69 billion in 2021, more than doubling from $5.87 billion in 2020. The surge in digital payments amid the pandemic fueled this growth, with banks losing $778 million in interchange revenue in Southeast Asia. Despite anticipated interest rate hikes impacting the venture capital landscape, mature fintechs are expected to attract continued investments, with a strong outlook for mergers and acquisitions.