Summary
S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) filed an 8-K on January 27, 2009, to furnish its earnings release for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The report highlights a decline in full-year 2008 diluted earnings per share (EPS) to $2.51 from $2.94 in 2007. This decrease was partially impacted by a pre-tax restructuring charge of $73.4 million ($45.9 million after tax) in 2008, which reduced EPS by $0.14. For the fourth quarter of 2008, diluted EPS stood at $0.37, down from $0.43 in the fourth quarter of 2007, with the 2008 Q4 also including a restructuring charge. The company provided adjusted operating results, excluding restructuring charges and a 2007 gain from divestiture, believing these provide a more meaningful comparison of performance. Investors should note the impact of these charges on reported GAAP figures.
Key Highlights
- 1Full-year 2008 diluted EPS was $2.51, a decrease from $2.94 in 2007.
- 2A significant pre-tax restructuring charge of $73.4 million was incurred in 2008, impacting diluted EPS by $0.14.
- 3Fourth quarter 2008 diluted EPS was $0.37, compared to $0.43 in the prior year's fourth quarter, also affected by restructuring charges.
- 4The company reported a $0.03 gain from the divestiture of a mutual fund data business in 2007.
- 5SPGI provided adjusted operating results, excluding restructuring charges and the 2007 divestiture gain, to offer a clearer view of performance trends.
- 6The earnings release, dated January 27, 2009, covers results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.