S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) today reported third quarter 2021 results with revenue of $2,087 million, an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, with every segment delivering revenue growth. Net income increased 75% to $797 million and diluted earnings per share increased 75% to $3.30 primarily due to the debt tender premium and fees associated with the senior notes tender offer in the prior period.
Adjusted net income increased 24% to $855 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 24% to $3.54 primarily due to very strong revenue growth. The largest adjustments in the third quarter of 2021 were for costs related to the pending merger with IHS Markit and deal-related amortization related to previous acquisitions.
“The strong global economic growth, elevated M&A activity, strong stock markets, and increased volatility realized in the third quarter created a solid underpinning for our businesses. In this environment, S&P Global delivered an exceptional quarter of financial results as we continue to provide our customers with the essential intelligence they need to navigate rapidly changing markets,” said Douglas L. Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of S&P Global. “After delivering very strong results in a difficult 2020, we expect to meaningfully surpass those results in 2021.”
Merger Update: The Company continues to make progress on the merger with IHS Markit as the regulatory path to closing is becoming clearer. The UK and European regulators have now announced their views on the transaction. S&P Global and IHS Markit have committed to divest S&P Global’s CUSIP Global Services and Leveraged Commentary and Data, together with a related family of leveraged loan indices, as well as IHS Markit’s Oil Price Information Services (OPIS), Coal, Metals & Mining (CMM), PetroChem Wire, and Base Chemicals businesses. Based on the regulatory feedback and these divestitures, we now anticipate closing during the first quarter of 2022.
Profit Margin: The Company’s operating profit margin increased 80 basis points to 51.9% due to higher incremental profits on additional revenue partially offset by merger-related costs. Adjusted operating profit margin increased 250 basis points to 55.4% primarily due to higher incremental profits on additional revenue.
Return of Capital: During the third quarter, the Company returned $186 million to shareholders in dividends. There were no share repurchases during the quarter due to the pending merger with IHS Markit.
details at: https://investor.spglobal.com/news-releases/news-details/2021/SP-Global-Revenue-Increased-13-in-the-Third-Quarter-Compared-to-3Q-2020/default.aspx