S&P Global Stock Price, News & Analysis

The Board of Directors of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.77, payable on September 10, 2021, to shareholders on record as of August 26, 2021. This results in an annualized dividend rate of $3.08 per share. S&P Global has a long-standing history of paying dividends, having done so since 1937 and increasing its dividend annually for at least 48 years, placing it among the few companies in the S&P 500 to achieve this milestone.

S&P Global Platts has launched the first daily carbon-neutral LNG price assessment, tracking carbon credits used to offset emissions for LNG cargoes on major trade routes. This new assessment aims to enhance transparency in the LNG sector amid increasing demands for reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The CNL assessment focuses on well-to-tank emissions and includes carbon offset costs. As LNG consumption rises globally, this initiative supports sustainable practices in the industry, catering to consumers prioritizing environmental impact when making purchasing decisions.

On June 15, 2021, S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian reported a decline in consumer credit defaults through May 2021. The composite default rate dropped to 0.44%, down six basis points from April. The bank card default rate decreased significantly by 22 basis points to 3.01%, while auto loan defaults fell to 0.34%, and first mortgage defaults to 0.33%. Major metropolitan areas also showed decreases, with New York experiencing the largest drop at 37 basis points to 0.46%.

The S&P Dow Jones Indices reported preliminary Q1 2021 S&P 500 stock buybacks totaling $178.1 billion, a significant 36.5% increase from Q4 2020 and 100.9% above Q2 2020's recent low. However, this figure is down 10.4% year-over-year from Q1 2020's $198.7 billion. For the 12-month period ending March 2021, buybacks were $499.1 billion, 30.8% lower than the previous year. Companies are expected to enhance buybacks in 2021, particularly with big banks returning to the market.

S&P Global Platts launched daily carbon credit price assessments for Nature-Based and Household Device Carbon Credit Projects on June 14, 2021. The initial prices were $4.65/mtCO2e for Nature-Based and $6.70/mtCO2e for Household Device projects. These assessments aim to improve transparency in carbon trading markets, which are expected to see growth in regions such as Europe, the US, and Latin America. The assessments are certified by recognized standards including The Gold Standard and will be accessible through various Platts platforms.

S&P Global Market Intelligence and Oliver Wyman have launched Climate Credit Analytics, a new model suite designed to evaluate climate risk for over 700,000 companies. This initiative aids financial institutions in assessing the creditworthiness of investments in a low-carbon economy. The suite integrates S&P's advanced credit risk models with Oliver Wyman's climate scenario expertise, focusing on high carbon-emitting sectors. Notably, UBS will be the first bank utilizing this analytics tool for transition risk assessment.

On June 9, 2021, S&P Global Platts announced the opening of nominations for the 2021 Global Energy Awards, honoring achievements in the energy sector. Set to occur in-person at Cipriani Wall Street, New York, the awards recognize excellence across nineteen categories. This year, several categories have evolved, including the redefined Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign of the Year and the new Climate Leader Award – Power. Finalists will be announced on September 23, 2021, and winners will be unveiled at a gala on December 9, 2021.

S&P Global Platts has strengthened its long-term relationship with OPEC by becoming a key data and insight provider. This partnership allows Platts to supply OPEC with essential oil price data, analytics, and news, enhancing OPEC's evaluation of global oil markets. Saugata Saha, President of S&P Global Platts, expressed satisfaction with this collaboration at a crucial time for the energy sector. This development emphasizes Platts' role in providing transparency and insights in the commodities market, which could be beneficial for stakeholders and investors.

S&P Global Market Intelligence has received two prestigious awards at the 2021 Inside Market Data and Inside Reference Data Awards. The division was honored as the Best Research Provider for its extensive research offerings, which include various independent market analyses and sector-level coverage. Additionally, it was recognized for the Best Enterprise Data Management Initiative due to its collaboration with Snowflake, enhancing data delivery and access. These accolades reflect S&P's commitment to providing high-quality, accessible data-driven insights for informed decision-making.