S&P Global

S&P Global
source
Name	S&P Global
Type	Public
Traded as	NYSE: SPGI
Industry	Financial services
Founded	1860
Founder	Henry Varnum Poor
Headquarters	New York City, New York, United States
Key people	Douglas L. Peterson, John L. Berisford
Revenue	$7.44 billion (2020)
Operating income	$2.94 billion (2020)
Net income	$2.13 billion (2020)
Total assets	$14.64 billion (2020)
Total equity	$6.45 billion (2020)
Num employees	22,500 (2020)
Subsidiaries	S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Global Platts, S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Global is a leading provider of credit ratings, research, and market intelligence, serving the global capital, commodity, and energy markets. The company's history dates back to 1860, when Henry Varnum Poor founded H.V. and H.W. Poor Co., which later became Standard & Poor's. Over the years, the company has expanded its operations through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of J.D. Power and McGraw-Hill Financial. Today, S&P Global is a trusted source of data and insights for investors, corporations, and governments, including International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and European Central Bank.

● History

The company's history began in 1860, when Henry Varnum Poor founded H.V. and H.W. Poor Co., which published financial information about railroads. In 1941, the company merged with Standard Statistics Bureau, founded by Luther Lee Blake, to form Standard & Poor's. Over the years, the company has expanded its operations through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of J.D. Power and McGraw-Hill Financial. In 2016, the company changed its name to S&P Global, reflecting its expanded range of services and global reach, which includes operations in New York City, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. The company has also partnered with other leading organizations, including Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, and FactSet Research Systems, to provide comprehensive data and insights to its clients.

● Products and Services

S&P Global offers a wide range of products and services, including credit ratings, research, and market intelligence. The company's S&P Global Ratings division provides credit ratings for corporations, governments, and financial institutions, including Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings. The company's S&P Global Market Intelligence division provides data and insights on the global capital markets, including stock exchanges such as NYSE, NASDAQ, and London Stock Exchange. The company's S&P Global Platts division provides data and insights on the global energy and commodity markets, including oil prices, natural gas prices, and gold prices. The company's S&P Dow Jones Indices division provides indices and benchmarks for investors, including the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average.

● Corporate Structure

S&P Global is a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol SPGI. The company is led by Douglas L. Peterson, who serves as President and CEO, and John L. Berisford, who serves as Executive Vice President and CFO. The company's board of directors includes Robert J. Stevens, former CEO of Lockheed Martin, and Katherine A. Lehman, former CFO of Procter & Gamble. The company has operations in over 30 countries, including United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and employs over 22,000 people worldwide, including professionals from Harvard University, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Financial Performance

S&P Global has consistently delivered strong financial performance, with revenue growth driven by its expanding range of services and global reach. In 2020, the company reported revenue of $7.44 billion, up 10% from the previous year, driven by growth in its S&P Global Ratings and S&P Global Market Intelligence divisions. The company's net income was $2.13 billion, up 15% from the previous year, driven by operating margin expansion and cost savings initiatives. The company has also generated significant cash flow, with operating cash flow of $2.94 billion in 2020, which has enabled it to invest in strategic acquisitions and return capital to shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases.

● Criticisms and Controversies

S&P Global has faced criticisms and controversies over the years, including concerns about the accuracy and transparency of its credit ratings. In 2011, the company faced criticism for its role in the European sovereign-debt crisis, with some arguing that its credit ratings had exacerbated the crisis. The company has also faced criticism for its handling of conflicts of interest, including allegations that it had provided favorable credit ratings to companies in exchange for fees. In response to these criticisms, the company has implemented various reforms, including enhanced disclosure and transparency measures, and has worked to improve the accuracy and consistency of its credit ratings, in collaboration with regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

● Awards and Recognition

S&P Global has received numerous awards and recognition for its services and commitment to excellence. In 2020, the company was named one of the Fortune 500 companies, and was also recognized as one of the Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign. The company's S&P Global Ratings division has been recognized as one of the top credit rating agencies by Institutional Investor, and its S&P Global Market Intelligence division has been recognized as one of the top providers of financial data and analytics by Inside Market Data. The company has also been recognized for its commitment to corporate social responsibility, including its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion and reduce its carbon footprint, in partnership with organizations such as the United Nations and the World Wildlife Fund. Category:Financial services companies