Ian P. Livingston elected as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of S&P Global Livingston succeeds Richard E. Thornburgh who will retire when his current term expires in May 2025 NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) today announced Ian P. Livingston (Lord Livingston of Parkhead) has been elected as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective May 7, 2025. Ian Livingston will succeed Richard E. Thornburgh, who has served as the Non-Executive Chairman o ...

S&P 500 Q4 2024 buybacks were $243.2 billion, up 7.4% from Q3 2024's $226.6 billion and up 11.0% from Q4 2023's $219.1 billion The 2024 expenditure set an annual record of $942.5 billion and was up 18.5% from the 2023 expenditure of $795.2 billion  Consumer Staples increased spending by 97.9% as Financials and Communication Services reduced their spending by 4.4% and 14.0%, respectively  The net buyback 1% tax reduced Q4 2024 operating earnings by 0.37% and As Reported GAAP by 0.39%, as the year is 0.44% a ...

NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Market Intelligence today released its annual rankings for 2024's best-performing community banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion, community banks with assets below $3 billion, credit unions, U.S. public banks with more than $10 billion in total assets and community banks by region for the Northeast, South Central, Southeast, West and Midwest. S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks institutions based on returns, growth and funding but places a ...

Core Insights - S&P Global Commodity Insights has launched a suite of daily calculated price assessments for Cathode Active Materials (CAM) in China, Europe, and North America, effective March 24, 2025, to meet the information needs of the rapidly growing battery supply chain industry [1][4]. Group 1: Market Overview - The new offering focuses on CAM chemistries for lithium-ion batteries, specifically LFP (lithium iron phosphate), NMC622, and NMC811, which are projected to hold significant market shares in the coming years. LFP currently accounts for approximately 43% of global demand, while NMC622 and NMC811 together hold an estimated 18% [2]. - The demand for batteries is expected to surge due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with global BESS annual capacity additions growing by 49% year-on-year in 2024 and forecasted to grow another 29% in 2025 [5]. Group 2: Product Details - CAMs are essential components in lithium-ion batteries, influencing performance metrics such as energy density, cycle life, and safety. They are synthesized materials typically composed of metal oxides used in the production of electrodes [3]. - The new calculated CAM assessments utilize a battery cell cost model that incorporates material intensity and processing cost estimates for the Chinese domestic market, which is responsible for about 81.3% of global production [6]. Group 3: Industry Challenges - There is currently a lack of price transparency regarding CAMs, which are a significant part of battery costs. The new assessments aim to provide greater transparency and help quantify value in this opaque segment of the battery supply chain [5]. - As battery production scales globally, the supply of battery raw materials, particularly CAMs, will become a critical concern for manufacturers, with reliance on imports expected to continue for years due to the dominance of Chinese companies in key refining and production stages [5]. Group 4: Methodology and Data Integration - The new suite of CAM assessments leverages existing daily spot assessments for various battery materials, including lithium carbonate and nickel sulfate, and incorporates daily container freight price assessments for China-origin materials [7].

Core Viewpoint - S&P Global (SPGI) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Rising earnings estimates for S&P Global suggest an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock prices [5][8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank stock-rating system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7][9]. - The upgrade of S&P Global to a Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, S&P Global is expected to earn $17.07 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 8.7% [8]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for S&P Global has increased by 3.3%, indicating a positive trend in earnings expectations [8].

Core Insights - The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index fell to -0.45 in February 2025, indicating a decrease in overall supply chain capacity utilization globally, marking the lowest level since July 2023 [1][11][18] - Regional disparities are evident, with the U.S. experiencing increased demand for raw materials, while Canadian and Mexican manufacturers reduced purchases due to export declines [2][3][6] Demand Conditions - In the U.S., manufacturers increased their demand for raw materials and components in February, driven by preparations for orders and efforts to avoid higher costs from tariffs [2][11] - Global demand for raw materials and components is trending at its long-term average, with the strongest buying activity in Asia [11] Inventory Management - Global stockpiling activity decreased in February, indicating a low appetite among manufacturers to hold excess stock amid rising production costs [11][18] - U.S. manufacturers are stockpiling materials in anticipation of higher tariffs, while European manufacturers are cutting inventories due to a sluggish industrial sector [4][11] Regional Supply Chain Analysis - North America: The index rose to -0.18, indicating the busiest conditions since July 2024, primarily due to U.S. performance [18] - Europe: The index fell to -0.72, signaling greater slack in supply chains compared to earlier in the year [18] - U.K.: The index dropped to -0.85, the lowest since December 2023, indicating a slowdown in the economy [18] - Asia: The index remained at 0.00, showing that supply chains are operating at full capacity, supported by strong export growth from countries like China, Taiwan, and India [5][18] Transportation and Labor Conditions - Global transportation costs remained unchanged from January, maintaining levels close to historical norms [18] - Reports of labor shortages impacting production backlogs have decreased, suggesting improved staffing conditions in global manufacturing [18]

Company Recognition - CARFAX has been named one of the Best Places to Work by Virginia Business Magazine, marking its 12th win since the award's inception in 2011, based on anonymous employee surveys assessing workplace experiences [1][2] Company Culture - The recognition reflects CARFAX's commitment to investing in its team by fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and leadership, as stated by CEO Bill Eager [2] - The company emphasizes an inclusive culture that promotes collaboration and defines the work environment, as highlighted by Senior Product Marketing Manager Eva Whitfield [2] Workforce Growth - CARFAX has grown from a few dozen employees to over 1,400 employees by 2025, establishing itself as a trusted leader in northern Virginia [3] New Headquarters - CARFAX will be moving to new offices in Reston Station, occupying just under 90,000 square feet, which will provide a dynamic space for innovation and growth [4] Community Involvement - Team CARFAX is actively involved in supporting various causes, including the Boulder Crest Foundation, which offers free posttraumatic growth programs to military members, veterans, and first responders [5] Company Overview - CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, provides innovative solutions powered by vehicle history information, helping millions confidently shop, buy, service, and sell used cars [6]

Core Insights - The report "Look Forward: Energy at the Crossroads" by S&P Global examines the current state of the energy transition and outlines a pragmatic path forward as global energy leaders prepare for CERAWeek in Houston, Texas [1][2] Energy Transition Challenges - Governments are prioritizing affordable energy and economic growth over sustainability, leading to a multidimensional energy transition that will vary across regions, technologies, and fuel mixes [5] - Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is now considered unlikely due to these challenges [5] Technological and Market Developments - New observation technologies have revealed higher methane emissions than previously reported, prompting the oil and gas industry to focus on measuring and mitigating these emissions [2][5] - There is a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy as a means of decarbonization [5] - The integration of AI is expected to transform energy supply chains and contribute to addressing climate change [5] Political and Economic Implications - Western economies face challenges in reducing dependence on China for clean technology supply chains, necessitating significant investments in local manufacturing [5] - Despite the financial risks posed by climate change, only 35% of major companies currently have climate adaptation plans in place [5]

Core Insights - The Vehicle Recall Search Service, developed by CARFAX and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, has checked vehicles in the U.S. nearly eight billion times over the past seven years, enhancing consumer awareness and road safety [1][2] - Since its launch in 2018, the service has identified millions of cars with unresolved recalls, with CARFAX data indicating that one in five cars in the U.S. currently has an unfixed recall [2][4] - Eight state DMVs, including California, New York, and Ohio, utilize the service to check vehicle recall status during registration or inspection processes, notifying owners of any open recalls [3][4] Industry Impact - The tool's potential to protect drivers is emphasized, with calls for more states to adopt it to ensure regular vehicle checks, thereby increasing driver safety and aiding manufacturers in closing recalls [4][5] - Ohio's implementation of the service has led to the identification of over 7.2 million recalls, with 2 million recalls remedied through individualized notifications during vehicle registration renewals [4][5] - The partnership between CARFAX and various stakeholders, including DMVs and insurers, is crucial for identifying and fixing more recalls, ultimately enhancing road safety [5]

Core Insights - Continued development of U.S. LNG export capacity is projected to significantly lower global greenhouse gas emissions compared to alternative energy sources, with a potential reduction equivalent to more than twice the annual emissions from all gasoline cars in Los Angeles County by 2040 [1][10] LNG Capacity and Emissions Impact - The study identifies that LNG projects currently on hold or in pre-Final Investment Decision stage could add a combined capacity of 40 million tons per annum (Mtpa) from 2028 to 2040, resulting in a reduction of global GHG emissions by 324 million tons (GWP100) or 780 million tons (GWP20) over the same period, averaging 65 million tons per year [2] - The net reduction in emissions is attributed to the lower GHG intensity of U.S. LNG compared to the average intensity of alternative energy sources, with 85% of these alternatives being fossil fuels from non-U.S. sources [3] Economic Contributions - The expansion of U.S. LNG capacity is expected to support nearly half a million domestic jobs annually and contribute $1.3 trillion to U.S. GDP through 2040, with negligible impact on domestic gas prices [5] - If no new or currently paused U.S. LNG capacity comes online, over 100,000 jobs and more than $250 billion in GDP contributions are at risk [5] State and Congressional District Level Impacts - Economic impacts extend beyond core gas-producing states, with 37% of total jobs (180,000+) and 30% of GDP contributions ($390 billion) occurring in non-producing areas through 2040, indicating that 90% of every dollar spent would remain within the U.S. supply chain [7] - Economic contributions are concentrated in congressional districts with investments in natural gas exploration, liquefaction activities, or businesses within the LNG export supply chain [8] Infrastructure and Price Impacts - The study highlights the potential benefits of removing infrastructure bottlenecks in the U.S. Northeast, where pipeline constraints have led to gas prices 15-40% higher than the national average [11] - Expanding Northeast exit capacity by 6 billion cubic feet per day could lead to significant consumer savings, exceeding the estimated $14 billion in capital costs for pipeline expansions, with projected reductions in gas prices of 20%-30% for Northeast markets [12][18]