8-KEarnings & ResultsRegulation FDExhibits & Filings

S&P Global Inc. 8-K Report, Financial Results (Oct 26, 2009)

Filed October 26, 2009For Securities:SPGI

Summary

S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) filed an 8-K on October 26, 2009, to furnish its third-quarter 2009 earnings release. The company reported third-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.07. Despite challenging market conditions leading to a downward revision of its full-year revenue forecast to a 7% decline (from a previous 5.5%-6.5% decrease), S&P Global reaffirmed its full-year EPS guidance. The company now anticipates achieving the top end of its previously announced $2.20 to $2.25 EPS range for 2009, an improvement from earlier expectations of landing at the low end. This reaffirmation is attributed to stringent cost control measures implemented by management.

Key Highlights

  • 1Reported third-quarter 2009 diluted EPS of $1.07.
  • 2Lowered 2009 revenue outlook to an approximate 7% decline, citing weakening conditions in school education and advertising markets.
  • 3Reaffirmed full-year 2009 EPS guidance, now expecting to achieve the top end of the $2.20-$2.25 range.
  • 4Attributes improved EPS outlook to stringent cost control measures.
  • 5Full-year EPS guidance excludes specific items: Q2 restructuring charge ($0.03), loss on Vista Research divestiture ($0.03), and projected gain on BusinessWeek sale ($0.02).
  • 6Provided adjusted operating results by segment, excluding restructuring charges and divestiture impacts, for enhanced comparability.

Frequently Asked Questions

S&P Global reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.07 for the third quarter ending September 30, 2009.

The company revised its full-year 2009 revenue forecast downwards, now expecting a decline of approximately 7%, compared to the previously forecasted decrease of 5.5% to 6.5%. This change was attributed to continuing market weakness in school education and advertising.

No, despite the lower revenue outlook, the company reaffirmed its full-year 2009 EPS guidance. Management now expects to achieve the top end of the previously stated range of $2.20 to $2.25, an improvement from earlier expectations of reaching the low end of that range, driven by effective cost controls.

The full-year 2009 EPS guidance excludes a $0.03 restructuring charge from the second quarter, a $0.03 loss from the divestiture of Vista Research in May, and a projected $0.02 pre-tax gain from the sale of BusinessWeek in the fourth quarter.