Standard & Poor's (S&P)

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Definition of 'Standard & Poor's (S&P)'

Standard & Poor's (S&P) is a global leader in credit ratings, benchmarks, and analytics for the global capital markets. The company provides essential intelligence that helps investors, companies, and governments make informed decisions.

S&P's ratings are used by investors, companies, and governments to make informed decisions about credit risk. The company's credit ratings are based on a rigorous analysis of a company's financial strength, operating performance, and business risk. S&P's ratings are used by investors to assess the creditworthiness of a company and to determine whether to invest in its debt securities. Companies use S&P's ratings to attract investors and to obtain financing at the best possible rates. Governments use S&P's ratings to assess the creditworthiness of their debt securities and to determine the interest rates they must pay to borrow money.

In addition to credit ratings, S&P also provides a variety of other services to the global capital markets. The company's benchmarks are used by investors to track the performance of different asset classes. S&P's analytics are used by investors to make informed investment decisions. S&P also offers a variety of consulting services to help clients understand and manage their credit risk.

S&P is a global company with offices in over 30 countries. The company employs over 14,000 people and has a market capitalization of over $50 billion. S&P is a subsidiary of McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.

S&P's ratings are widely recognized as the gold standard in credit ratings. The company's ratings are used by investors, companies, and governments around the world to make informed decisions about credit risk. S&P's ratings are also used by regulators to set capital requirements for banks and other financial institutions.

S&P's ratings are based on a rigorous analysis of a company's financial strength, operating performance, and business risk. The company's analysts use a variety of factors to assess a company's creditworthiness, including its financial statements, its business plan, and its management team. S&P's analysts also consider the company's industry and the economic environment in which it operates.

S&P's ratings are assigned on a scale from AAA to D. AAA is the highest rating and indicates that the company is considered to be of the highest credit quality. D is the lowest rating and indicates that the company is in default.

S&P's ratings are important because they provide investors with information about the creditworthiness of a company. This information can help investors to make informed investment decisions. S&P's ratings are also used by companies to attract investors and to obtain financing at the best possible rates.

S&P's ratings are not perfect. There have been cases where S&P has assigned a rating to a company that has subsequently defaulted. However, S&P's ratings are generally considered to be the most accurate and reliable credit ratings available.

S&P is a global leader in credit ratings, benchmarks, and analytics for the global capital markets. The company provides essential intelligence that helps investors, companies, and governments make informed decisions.

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