Revenue
The following table provides consolidated revenue information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 2,861 | | | $ | 2,087 | | | 37% | | $ | 8,244 | | | $ | 6,209 | | | 33% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 1,682 | | | 824 | | | N/M | | 4,490 | | | 2,409 | | | 86% |
Non-subscription / transaction revenue | 388 | | | 566 | | | (31)% | | 1,394 | | | 1,794 | | | (22)% |
Non-transaction revenue | 394 | | | 429 | | | (8)% | | 1,228 | | | 1,251 | | | (2)% |
Asset-linked fees | 210 | | | 211 | | | (1)% | | 642 | | | 589 | | | 9% |
Sales usage-based royalties | 72 | | | 57 | | | 25% | | 213 | | | 166 | | | 29% |
Recurring variable | 115 | | | — | | | N/M | | 277 | | | — | | | N/M |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 59 | % | | 39 | % | | | | 54 | % | | 39 | % | | |
Non-subscription / transaction revenue | 14 | % | | 27 | % | | | | 17 | % | | 29 | % | | |
Non-transaction revenue | 14 | % | | 21 | % | | | | 15 | % | | 20 | % | | |
Asset-linked fees | 7 | % | | 10 | % | | | | 8 | % | | 9 | % | | |
Sales usage-based royalties | 2 | % | | 3 | % | | | | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | |
Recurring variable | 4 | % | | — | % | | | | 3 | % | | — | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 1,717 | | | $ | 1,260 | | | 36% | | $ | 4,925 | | | $ | 3,761 | | | 31% |
International revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
European region | 645 | | | 498 | | | 30% | | 1,911 | | | 1,497 | | | 28% |
Asia | 322 | | | 227 | | | 41% | | 912 | | | 648 | | | 40% |
Rest of the world | 177 | | | 102 | | | 73% | | 496 | | | 303 | | | 63% |
Total international revenue | $ | 1,144 | | | $ | 827 | | | 38% | | $ | 3,319 | | | $ | 2,448 | | | 36% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 60 | % | | 60 | % | | | | 60 | % | | 61 | % | | |
International revenue | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | | | 40 | % | | 39 | % | | |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful

Three Months
Subscription revenue increased primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Subscription revenue growth in Desktop products, Credit & Risk Solutions and Data & Advisory Solutions at Market Intelligence, and continued demand for Commodity Insights market data and market insights products also contributed to the increase. Non-subscription / transaction revenue decreased due to a decrease in corporate bond ratings revenue, bank loan ratings revenue and structured finance revenue at Ratings, partially offset by the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Non-transaction revenue decreased due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, lower entity credit ratings revenue and a decrease in Ratings Evaluation Service (“RES”) revenue. Asset linked fees decreased 1% as higher average levels of assets under management for mutual funds were offset by lower average levels of assets under management for ETFs at Indices. The increase in sales-usage based royalties was primarily driven by higher exchange-traded derivative revenue at Indices. Recurring variable revenue at Market Intelligence represents revenue from contracts for services that specify a fee based on, among other factors, the number of trades processed, assets under management, or the number of positions valued. See “Segment Review” below for further information.
The unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates reduced revenue by 3 percentage points. This impact refers to constant currency comparisons estimated by recalculating current year results of foreign operations using the average exchange rate from the prior year.
Nine Months
Subscription revenue increased primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Subscription revenue growth in Desktop products, Credit & Risk Solutions and Data & Advisory Solutions at Market Intelligence, and continued demand for Commodity Insights market data and market insights products also contributed to the increase. Non-subscription / transaction revenue decreased due to a decrease in corporate bond ratings revenue, bank loan ratings revenue and structured finance revenue at Ratings, partially offset by an the impact of the merger with IHS Markit and an increase in conference revenue at Commodity Insights. Non-transaction revenue decreased primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, a decrease in entity credit ratings revenue and lower RES revenue, partially offset by an increase in revenue at our CRISIL subsidiary and an increase in surveillance revenue at Ratings. Asset linked fees increased primarily due to higher average levels of assets under management for mutual funds at Indices. The increase in sales-usage based royalties was primarily driven by higher exchange-traded derivative revenue at Indices. Recurring variable revenue at Market Intelligence represents revenue from contracts for services that specify a fee based on, among other factors, the number of trades processed, assets under management, or the number of positions valued. See “Segment Review” below for further information.
The unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates reduced revenue by 2 percentage points. This impact refers to constant currency comparisons estimated by recalculating current year results of foreign operations using the average exchange rate from the prior year.
Total Expenses
The following tables provide an analysis by segment of our operating-related expenses and selling and general expenses for the periods ended September 30:
Three Months
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
| Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses | | Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses | | Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses |
Market Intelligence 1 | $ | 444 | | | $ | 237 | | | $ | 229 | | | $ | 123 | | | 94% | | 93% |
Ratings 2 | 233 | | | 59 | | | 245 | | | 118 | | | (5)% | | (51)% |
Commodity Insights 3 | 132 | | | 125 | | | 53 | | | 62 | | | N/M | | 102% |
Mobility 4 | 88 | | | 90 | | | — | | | — | | | N/M | | N/M |
Indices 5 | 52 | | | 47 | | | 44 | | | 40 | | | 18% | | 17% |
Engineering Solutions 6 | 58 | | | 23 | | | — | | | — | | | N/M | | N/M |
Intersegment eliminations 7 | (43) | | | — | | | (37) | | | — | | | (17)% | | N/M |
Total segments | 964 | | | 581 | | | 534 | | | 343 | | | 81% | | 69% |
Corporate Unallocated expense 8 | 30 | | | 139 | | | 9 | | | 80 | | | N/M | | 75% |
Total | $ | 994 | | | $ | 720 | | | $ | 543 | | | $ | 423 | | | 83% | | 70% |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 In 2022, selling and general expenses include include employee severance charges of $13 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $6 million, and acquisition-related costs of $1 million.
2 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $2 million.
3 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $14 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $10 million.
4 In 2022, selling and general expenses include acquisition-related benefit of $19 million and employee severance charges of $1 million.
5 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $1 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million.
6 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $2 million.
7 Intersegment eliminations primarily relate to a royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.
8 In 2022, selling and general expenses include IHS Markit merger costs of $127 million, employee severance charges of $23 million, an asset impairment of $9 million, a gain on acquisition of $10 million and acquisition-related costs of $1 million. In 2021, selling and general expenses include IHS Markit merger costs of $54 million.
Operating-Related Expenses
Operating-related expenses increased 83% primarily driven by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit and higher compensation costs, partially offset by lower incentive costs.
Intersegment eliminations primarily relate to a royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.
Selling and General Expenses
Selling and general expenses increased 70%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of higher IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 17 percentage points, higher employee severance charges of 11 percentage points, partially offset by an acquisition-related benefit of 3 percentage points and a gain on acquisition of 1 percentage point, selling and general expenses increased 46%. The increase was primarily driven by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit and higher compensation costs, partially offset by lower incentive costs.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization was $298 million in 2022 compared to $41 million in 2021, primarily due to higher intangible asset amortization driven by the impact of the merger with IHS Markit.
Nine Months
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
| Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses | | Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses | | Operating- related expenses | | Selling and general expenses |
Market Intelligence 1 | $ | 1,223 | | | $ | 669 | | | $ | 687 | | | $ | 350 | | | 78% | | 91% |
Ratings 2 | 700 | | | 255 | | | 711 | | | 307 | | | (1)% | | (17)% |
Commodity Insights 3 | 385 | | | 327 | | | 155 | | | 170 | | | N/M | | 92% |
Mobility 4 | 205 | | | 246 | | | — | | | — | | | N/M | | N/M |
Indices 5 | 151 | | | 135 | | | 127 | | | 113 | | | 19% | | 20% |
Engineering Solutions 6 | 137 | | | 51 | | | — | | | — | | | N/M | | N/M |
Intersegment eliminations 7 | (124) | | | — | | | (108) | | | — | | | (15)% | | N/M |
Total segments | 2,677 | | | 1,683 | | | 1,572 | | | 940 | | | 70% | | 79% |
Corporate Unallocated expense 8 | 77 | | | 759 | | | 26 | | | 222 | | | N/M | | N/M |
Total | $ | 2,754 | | | $ | 2,442 | | | $ | 1,598 | | | $ | 1,162 | | | 72% | | N/M |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $44 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $21 million and acquisition-related costs of $2 million.
2 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $14 million.
3 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $38 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $16 million.
4 In 2022, selling and general expenses include acquisition-related benefit of $15 million, employee severance charges of $3 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million.
5 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $4 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million.
6 In 2022, selling and general expenses include employee severance charges of $4 million.
7 Intersegment eliminations primarily relate to a royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.
8 In 2022, selling and general expenses include IHS Markit merger costs of $483 million, a S&P Foundation grant of $200 million, employee severance charges of $87 million, an asset impairment of $9 million, a gain on acquisition of $10 million, acquisition-related costs of $7 million, lease impairments of $5 million and an asset write-off of $3 million. In 2021, selling and general expenses include IHS Markit merger costs of $153 million, a lease impairment of $3 million and Kensho retention related expense of $2 million.
Operating-Related Expenses
Operating-related expenses increased 72% primarily driven by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit and higher compensation costs, partially offset by lower incentive costs.
Intersegment eliminations primarily relate to a royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.
Selling and General Expenses
Selling and general expenses increased 110%. Excluding the unfavorable impact of higher IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 28 percentage points, a S&P Foundation grant of 15 percentage points and higher employee severance charges of 15 percentage points, selling and general expenses increased 52%. The increase was primarily driven by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit and higher compensation costs, partially offset by lower incentive costs.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization was $738 million in 2022 compared to $137 million in 2021, primarily due to higher intangible asset amortization driven by the impact of the merger with IHS Markit.
Loss (Gain) on Dispositions
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we completed the following dispositions that resulted in a pre-tax loss of $2 million and a pre-tax gain of $1,897 million, respectively, which was included in Loss (Gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statement of income:
•In June of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of Leveraged Commentary and Data (“LCD”) along with a related family of leveraged loan indices, within our Market Intelligence and Indices segments, respectively, to Morningstar for a purchase price of $600 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments, and a contingent payment of up to $50 million which is payable six months following the closing upon the achievement of certain conditions related to the transition of LCD customer relationships. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $15 million ($11 million after tax) and pre-tax gain of $505 million ($378 million after tax) for the sale of LCD. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $14 million ($12 million after tax) and $52 million ($43 million after-tax) for the sale of a family of leveraged loan indices in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income.
•In June of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of the Base Chemicals business to News Corp for $295 million in cash. We did not recognize a gain on the sale of the Base Chemicals business.
•In March of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of CUSIP Global Services (“CGS”), a business within our Market Intelligence segment, to FactSet Research Systems Inc. for a purchase price of $1.925 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $2 million ($2 million after tax) and a pre-tax gain of $1.341 billion ($1.005 billion after tax) in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income related to the sale of CGS.
•In February of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of OPIS to News Corp for $1.150 billion in cash. We did not recognize a gain on the sale of OPIS.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we completed the following dispositions that resulted in a pre-tax gain of $3 million and $5 million, respectively, which was included in Gain on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income:
•During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $3 million ($2 million after-tax) in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income related to the sale of an office facility in India in September of 2021.
•During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $2 million ($2 million after-tax) in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income related to the sale of Standard & Poor's Investment Advisory Services LLC (“SPIAS”) within our Market Intelligence segment in July of 2019.
Operating Profit
We consider operating profit to be an important measure for evaluating our operating performance and we evaluate operating profit for each of the reportable business segments in which we operate.
We internally manage our operations by reference to operating profit with economic resources allocated primarily based on each segment's contribution to operating profit. Segment operating profit is defined as operating profit before Corporate Unallocated expense. Segment operating profit is not, however, a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and may not be defined and calculated by other companies in the same manner.
The tables below reconcile segment operating profit to total operating profit for the periods ended September 30:
Three Months
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Market Intelligence 1 | $ | 174 | | | $ | 179 | | | (3)% |
Ratings 2 | 377 | | | 644 | | | (41)% |
Commodity Insights 3 | 141 | | | 136 | | | 4% |
Mobility 4 | 90 | | | — | | | N/M |
Indices 5 | 239 | | | 213 | | | 12% |
Engineering Solutions 6 | 1 | | | — | | | N/M |
Total segment operating profit | 1,022 | | | 1,172 | | | (13)% |
Corporate Unallocated expense 7 | (175) | | | (89) | | | (95)% |
Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries 8 | 6 | | | — | | | N/M |
Total operating profit | $ | 853 | | | $ | 1,083 | | | (21)% |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 2022 includes a loss on disposition of $17 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $6 million, employee severance charges of $13 million and acquisition-related costs of $1 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $134 million and $16 million, respectively.
2 2022 includes employee severance charges of $2 million. 2022 and 2021 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $2 million.
3 2022 includes employee severance charges of $14 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $10 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $32 million and $2 million, respectively.
4 2022 includes acquisition-related benefit of $19 million, employee severance charges of $1 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million and amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $76 million.
5 2022 includes a gain on disposition of 14 million, employee severance charges of $1 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $9 million and $1 million, respectively.
6 2022 includes employee severance charges of $2 million. 2022 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $14 million.
7 2022 includes IHS Markit merger costs of $127 million, employee severance charges of $23 million, a gain on acquisition of $10 million, asset impairment of $9 million and acquisition-related costs of $1 million. 2021 includes IHS Markit merger costs of $54 million and a gain on disposition of $3 million.
8 2022 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $13 million.
Segment Operating Profit — Decreased 13% as compared to 2021. Excluding the unfavorable impact of higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions in 2022 of 21 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 3 percentage points and IHS Markit merger related costs in 2022 of 1 percentage point, partially offset by an acquisition-related benefit in 2022 of 1 percentage point, segment operating profit increased 11%. The increase was primarily due to revenue growth primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit, lower incentive costs, partially offset by a decrease in revenue at Ratings, expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, an increase in compensation costs driven by additional headcount and annual merit and promotion increases and an increase in technology expenses. See “Segment Review” below for further information.
Corporate Unallocated Expense— Corporate Unallocated expense includes costs for corporate functions, select initiatives, unoccupied office space and Kensho, included in selling and general expenses. Corporate Unallocated expense increased 95% compared to 2021. Excluding higher IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 98 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 31 percentage points, an asset impairment in 2022 of 11 percentage points, a gain on disposition in 2021 of 3 percentage points and acquisition-related costs in 2022 of 2 percentage points, partially offset by a gain on acquisition in 2022 of 13 percentage points, Corporate Unallocated expense decreased 37% primarily due to cost synergies and lower incentive costs.
Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries— The Company holds an investment in a 50/50 joint venture arrangement with shared control with CME Group that combined each of the company’s post-trade services into a new joint venture, OSTTRA. The joint venture provides trade processing and risk mitigation operations and incorporates CME’s optimization businesses (Traiana, TriOptima, and Reset) and the Company’s MarkitSERV business. The combination is intended to increase operating efficiencies of both the company’s business to more effectively service clients with enhanced platforms and services
for OTC markets across interest rate, FX, equity, and credit asset classes. Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries includes the OSTTRA joint venture acquired in connection with the merger with IHS Markit. Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries was $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact on operating profit of 1 percentage point. This impact refers to constant currency comparisons and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities. Constant currency impacts are estimated by re-calculating current year results of foreign operations using the average exchange rate from the prior year. Remeasurement impacts are based on the variance between current-year and prior-year foreign exchange rate fluctuations on assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the individual businesses functional currency.
Nine Months
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Market Intelligence 1 | $ | 2,366 | | | $ | 514 | | | N/M |
Ratings 2 | 1,352 | | | 2,054 | | | (34)% |
Commodity Insights 3 | 440 | | | 411 | | | 7% |
Mobility 4 | 166 | | | — | | | N/M |
Indices 5 | 732 | | | 600 | | | 22% |
Engineering Solutions 6 | 3 | | | — | | | N/M |
Total segment operating profit | 5,059 | | | 3,579 | | | 41% |
Corporate Unallocated expense 7 | (852) | | | (262) | | | NM |
Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries 8 | 21 | | | — | | | N/M |
Total operating profit | $ | 4,228 | | | $ | 3,317 | | | 28% |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 2022 includes a gain on disposition of $1.8 billion, employee severance charges of $44 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $21 million and acquisition-related costs of $2 million. 2021 includes a gain on disposition of $2 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $331 million and $49 million, respectively.
2 2022 includes employee severance charges of $14 million. 2022 and 2021 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $5 million and $8 million, respectively.
3 2022 includes employee severance charges of $38 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $16 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $77 million and $6 million, respectively.
4 2022 includes an acquisition-related benefit of $15 million, employee severance charges of $3 million, IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million and amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $176 million.
5 2022 includes a gain on disposition of $52 million, employee severance charges of $4 million and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million. 2022 and 2021 include amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $22 million and $4 million, respectively.
6 2022 includes employee severance charges of 4 million. 2022 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $33 million.
7 2022 includes IHS Markit merger costs of $483 million, a S&P Foundation grant of $200 million, employee severance charges of $87 million, a gain on acquisition of $10 million, asset impairment of $9 million, acquisition-related costs of $7 million, lease impairments of $5 million and asset write-off of $3 million. 2021 includes IHS Markit merger costs of $153 million, a lease impairment of $3 million, a gain on disposition of $3 million and Kensho retention related expense of $2 million. 2022 and 2021 includes and amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $1 million and $7 million, respectively.
8 2022 includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $42 million.
Segment Operating Profit — Increased 41% as compared to 2021. Excluding the favorable impact of a higher gain on dispositions in 2022 of 53 percentage points, partially offset by higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions in 2022 of 16 percentage points, higher employee severance charges in 2022 of 3 percentage points and IHS Markit merger related costs in 2022 of 1 percentage point, segment operating profit increased 8%. The increase was primarily due to revenue growth primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit, lower incentive costs and lower occupancy costs from reduced real estate footprint, partially offset by a decrease in transaction revenue at Ratings, expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, an increase in compensation costs driven by additional headcount and annual merit and promotion increases, the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions and an increase in technology expenses. See “Segment Review” below for further information.
Corporate Unallocated Expense— Corporate Unallocated expense includes costs for corporate functions, select initiatives, unoccupied office space and Kensho, included in selling and general expenses. Corporate Unallocated expense increased 225% compared to 2021. Excluding higher IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 137 percentage points, a S&P Foundation grant in 2022 of 83 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 36 percentage points, an asset impairment in 2022 of 4 percentage points, acquisition-related costs in 2022 of 3 percentage points, partially offset by a gain on acquisition of 4 percentage points and lower amortization of intangibles from acquisitions in 2022 of 2 percentage points, Corporate Unallocated expense decreased 32% primarily due to cost synergies and lower incentive costs.
Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries— The Company holds an investment in a 50/50 joint venture arrangement with shared control with CME Group that combined each of the company’s post-trade services into a new joint venture, OSTTRA. The joint venture provides trade processing and risk mitigation operations and incorporates CME’s optimization businesses (Traiana, TriOptima, and Reset) and the Company’s MarkitSERV business. The combination is intended to increase operating efficiencies of both the company’s business to more effectively service clients with enhanced platforms and services for OTC markets across interest rate, FX, equity, and credit asset classes. Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries includes the OSTTRA joint venture acquired in connection with the merger with IHS Markit. Equity in Income on Unconsolidated Subsidiaries was $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on operating profit of less than 1 percentage point. This impact refers to constant currency comparisons and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities. Constant currency impacts are estimated by re-calculating current year results of foreign operations using the average exchange rate from the prior year. Remeasurement impacts are based on the variance between current-year and prior-year foreign exchange rate fluctuations on assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the individual businesses functional currency.
Other Income, net
Other income, net includes the net periodic benefit cost for our retirement and post retirement plans and gains and losses on our mark-to-market investments. Other income, net was $37 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and $86 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $51 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to higher gains on our mark-to-market investments in 2022.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net increased $40 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, and increased $124 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to higher debt balances. See Note 4 – Debt for further details.
Gain (loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Net
During the three and nine ended September 30, 2022, we recognized a $4 million gain and $15 million loss on extinguishment of debt. The nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes a $142 million tender premium paid to tendering note holders in accordance with the terms of the tender offer, offset by a $127 million non-cash write-off related to the fair market value step up premium on extinguished debt.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 17.6% and 25.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 19.9% and 22.8% for the three and nine months September 30, 2021, respectively. The decrease in the three months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to mix of income by jurisdiction. The increase in nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to the tax charge on merger related divestitures and deal related non-deductible costs.
Segment Review
Market Intelligence
Market Intelligence is a global provider of multi-asset-class data and analytics integrated with purpose-built workflow solutions. Market Intelligence's portfolio of capabilities are designed to help trading and investment professionals, government agencies, corporations and universities track performance, generate alpha, identify investment ideas, understand competitive and industry dynamics, perform valuations and manage credit risk.
In June of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of Leveraged Commentary and Data (“LCD”), a business within our Market Intelligence segment, to Morningstar. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $15 million ($11 million after tax) and pre-tax gain of $505 million ($378 million after tax) for the sale of LCD.
In March of 2022, we completed the previously announced sale of CUSIP Global Services (“CGS”), a business within our Market Intelligence segment, to FactSet Research Systems Inc. for a purchase price of $1.925 billion in cash, subject to customary adjustments. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $2 million ($2 million after tax) and a pre-tax gain of $1.341 billion ($1.005 billion after tax) in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income related to the sale of CGS.
Market Intelligence includes the following business lines:
•Desktop — a product suite that provides data, analytics and third-party research for global finance and corporate professionals, which includes the Capital IQ platforms (which are inclusive of S&P Capital IQ Pro, Capital IQ, Office and Mobile products);
•Data & Advisory Solutions — a broad range of research, reference data, market data, derived analytics and valuation services covering both the public and private capital markets, delivered through flexible feed-based or API delivery mechanisms. This also includes issuer solutions for public companies, a range of products for the maritime & trade market, data and insight into Financial Institutions, the telecoms, technology and media space as well as ESG and supply chain data analytics;
•Enterprise Solutions — software and workflow solutions that help our customers manage and analyze data; identify risk; reduce costs; and meet global regulatory requirements. The portfolio includes industry leading financial technology solutions like Wall Street Office, Enterprise Data Manager, Information Mosaic, and iLevel. Our Global Markets Group offering delivers bookbuilding platforms and investor prospecting solutions across multiple assets including municipal bonds, equities, fixed income and loans; and
•Credit & Risk Solutions — commercial arm that sells Ratings' credit ratings and related data and research, advanced analytics, and financial risk solutions which includes subscription-based offerings, RatingsXpress®, RatingsDirect® and Credit Analytics.
Subscription revenue at Market Intelligence is primarily derived from distribution of data, valuation services, analytics, third party research, and credit ratings-related information through both feed and web-based channels. Subscription revenue also include software and hosted product offerings which provide maintenance and continuous access to our platforms over the contract term. Recurring variable revenue at Market Intelligence represents revenue from contracts for services that specify a fee based on, among other factors, the number of trades processed, assets under management, or the number of positions valued. Non-subscription revenue at Market Intelligence is primarily related to certain advisory, pricing conferences and events, and analytical services.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 1,016 | | | $ | 554 | | | 83% | | $ | 2,774 | | | $ | 1,617 | | | 72% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | $ | 861 | | | $ | 541 | | | 59% | | $ | 2,386 | | | $ | 1,578 | | | 51% |
Recurring variable revenue | $ | 115 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 277 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
Non-subscription revenue | $ | 40 | | | $ | 13 | | | N/M | | $ | 111 | | | $ | 39 | | | N/M |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 85 | % | | 98 | % | | | | 86 | % | | 98 | % | | |
Recurring variable revenue | 11 | % | | — | % | | | | 10 | % | | — | % | | |
Non-subscription revenue | 4 | % | | 2 | % | | | | 4 | % | | 2 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 598 | | | $ | 347 | | | 72% | | $ | 1,634 | | | $ | 1,021 | | | 60% |
International revenue | $ | 418 | | | $ | 207 | | | N/M | | $ | 1,140 | | | $ | 596 | | | 91% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 59 | % | | 63 | % | | | | 59 | % | | 63 | % | | |
International revenue | 41 | % | | 37 | % | | | | 41 | % | | 37 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 174 | | | $ | 179 | | | (3)% | | $ | 2,366 | | | $ | 514 | | | N/M |
Operating margin % | 17 | % | | 32 | % | | | | 85 | % | | 32 | % | | |
N/M – Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
Note – In the first quarter of 2022, the Market Intelligence Commodities business was transferred to the Commodity Insights segment and prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.
1 Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes loss on dispositions of $17 million and gain on dispositions $1.8 billion, respectively, employee severance charges of $13 million and $44 million, respectively, IHS Markit merger costs of $6 million and $21 million, respectively, and acquisition-related costs of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. Operating profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 includes a gain on disposition of $2 million. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $134 million and $16 million is included for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $331 million and $49 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Three Months
Revenue increased 83% primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Subscription revenue growth for certain Market Intelligence Desktop products, RatingsXpress®, RatingsDirect®, and certain data feed products within Data and Advisory Solutions also contributed to revenue growth. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 2% percentage points.
Operating profit decreased 3%. Excluding the impact of higher amortization of intangibles of 60 percentage points, a loss on dispositions of 9 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 7 percentage points, IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 3 percentage points, operating profit increased 76% primarily due to revenue growth and lower incentive costs, partially offset by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, an increase in technology expenses and higher compensation costs. Foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact of 8% percentage points.
Nine Months
Revenue increased 72% primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Subscription revenue growth for certain Market Intelligence Desktop products, RatingsXpress®, RatingsDirect®, and certain data feed products within Data and Advisory Solutions also contributed to revenue growth. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 1 percentage point.
Operating profit increased 360%. Excluding the impact of a gain on dispositions of 366 percentage points, partially offset by higher amortization of intangibles of 56 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 9 percentage points and IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 4 percentage points, operating profit increased 64% primarily due to revenue growth and lower incentive costs, partially offset by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, an increase in technology expenses and higher compensation costs. Foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact of 4 percentage points.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Market Intelligence business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors
in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
Ratings
Ratings is an independent provider of credit ratings, research, and analytics, offering investors and other market participants information, ratings and benchmarks. Credit ratings are one of several tools investors can use when making decisions about purchasing bonds and other fixed income investments. They are opinions about credit risk and our ratings express our opinion about the ability and willingness of an issuer, such as a corporation or state or city government, to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. Our credit ratings can also relate to the credit quality of an individual debt issue, such as a corporate or municipal bond, and the relative likelihood that the issue may default.
Ratings disaggregates its revenue between transaction and non-transaction. Transaction revenue primarily includes fees associated with:
•ratings related to new issuance of corporate and government debt instruments, as well as structured finance debt instruments; and
•bank loan ratings.
Non-transaction revenue primarily includes fees for surveillance of a credit rating, annual fees for customer relationship-based pricing programs, fees for entity credit ratings and global research and analytics at CRISIL. Non-transaction revenue also includes an intersegment royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings. Royalty revenue was $36 million and $107 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $34 million and $101 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 681 | | | $ | 1,017 | | | (33)% | | $ | 2,345 | | | $ | 3,107 | | | (25)% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction revenue | $ | 244 | | | $ | 551 | | | (56)% | | $ | 992 | | | $ | 1,748 | | | (43)% |
Non-transaction revenue | $ | 437 | | | $ | 466 | | | (6)% | | $ | 1,353 | | | $ | 1,359 | | | —% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction revenue | 36 | % | | 54 | % | | | | 42 | % | | 56 | % | | |
Non-transaction revenue | 64 | % | | 46 | % | | | | 58 | % | | 44 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 370 | | | $ | 592 | | | (37)% | | $ | 1,282 | | | $ | 1,828 | | | (30)% |
International revenue | $ | 311 | | | $ | 425 | | | (27)% | | $ | 1,063 | | | $ | 1,279 | | | (17)% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 54 | % | | 58 | % | | | | 55 | % | | 59 | % | | |
International revenue | 46 | % | | 42 | % | | | | 45 | % | | 41 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 377 | | | $ | 644 | | | (41)% | | $ | 1,352 | | | $ | 2,054 | | | (34)% |
Operating margin % | 55 | % | | 63 | % | | | | 58 | % | | 66 | % | | |
1Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes employee severance charges of $2 million and $14 million, respectively. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and $5 million and $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Three Months
Revenue decreased 33%, with an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates of 3% percentage points. Transaction revenue decreased due to lower corporate bond ratings revenue driven by a decrease in high-yield and investment-grade issuance volumes and lower bank loan ratings revenue. A decrease in structured finance revenues primarily driven by decreased issuance of U.S. collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) also contributed to the decrease in transaction revenue. Reduced issuance volumes mainly resulted from unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in 2022 compared to strong issuance levels in the prior year period. Non-transaction revenue decreased due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, lower entity credit ratings revenue and a decrease in Ratings Evaluation Service (“RES”) revenue. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of 4 percentage points, non-transaction revenue decreased 2%. Transaction and non-transaction revenue also benefited from improved contract terms across product categories.
Operating profit decreased 41%, with an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates of 1% percentage point. Excluding the impact of employee severance charges in 2022 of less than 1 percentage point, operating profit decreased 41% primarily due to a decline in revenue partially offset by a decrease in expenses. The decrease in expenses was primarily driven by lower incentive costs due to weaker financial performance, partially offset by higher compensation costs driven by targeted investment into key areas of the business, as well as annual merits and promotion, and higher legal fees.
Nine Months
Revenue decreased 25%, with an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates of 2 percentage points. Transaction revenue decreased due to lower corporate bond ratings revenue driven by a decrease in high-yield and investment-grade issuance volumes and lower bank loan ratings revenue. A decrease in structured finance revenues primarily driven by decreased issuance of U.S. CLOs also contributed to the decrease in transaction revenue. Reduced issuance volumes mainly resulted from unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in 2022 compared to strong issuance levels in the prior year period. Non-transaction revenue remained relatively unchanged, decreasing less than 1%, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates, a decrease in entity credit ratings revenue and lower RES revenue, offset by an increase in revenue at our CRISIL subsidiary and an increase in surveillance revenue. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of 3 percentage points, non-transaction revenue increased 3%. Transaction and non-transaction revenue also benefited from improved contract terms across product categories.
Operating profit decreased 34%, with an unfavorable impact from foreign exchange rates of 1 percentage point. Excluding the impact of employee severance charges in 2022 of 1 percentage point, operating profit decreased 33% primarily due to a decline in revenue partially offset by decrease in expenses. The decrease in expenses was driven by lower incentive costs due to weaker financial performance, lower occupancy costs from reduced real estate footprint, and lower project amortization costs, partially offset by higher compensation costs driven by targeted investment into key areas of the business, as well as annual merits and promotion, legal fees and the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions.
Market Issuance Volumes
We monitor market issuance volumes regularly within Ratings. Market issuance volumes noted within the discussion that follows are based on where an issuer is located or where the assets associated with an issue are located. Structured Finance issuance includes amounts when a transaction closes, not when initially priced, and excludes domestically-rated Chinese issuance. The following tables depict changes in issuance levels as compared to the prior year based on data from SDC Platinum for Corporate bond issuance and based on a composite of external data feeds and Ratings' internal estimates for Structured Finance issuance.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Third Quarter Compared to Prior Year | | Year-to-Date Compared to Prior Year |
Corporate Bond Issuance * | U.S. | | Europe | | Global | | U.S. | | Europe | | Global |
High-yield issuance | (80)% | | (80)% | | (84)% | | (79)% | | (72)% | | (77)% |
Investment-grade issuance | (25)% | | (10)% | | (25)% | | (17)% | | (15)% | | (17)% |
Total issuance ** | (41)% | | (31)% | | (29)% | | (38)% | | (30)% | | (23)% |
* Includes Industrials and Financial Services.
** Includes rated and non-rated issuance
•Corporate issuance was down in the U.S. and Europe for the quarter and year-to-date driven by reflecting unfavorable macroeconomic conditions in 2022 compared to strong issuance levels in the prior year periods.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Third Quarter Compared to Prior Year | | Year-to-Date Compared to Prior Year |
Structured Finance Issuance | U.S. | | Europe | | Global | | U.S. | | Europe | | Global |
Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) | (28)% | | (15)% | | (24)% | | (1)% | | (25)% | | (5)% |
Structured credit (primarily CLOs) | (74)% | | (76)% | | (75)% | | (62)% | | (65)% | | (62)% |
Commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) | (35)% | | * | | (42)% | | 43% | | (79)% | | 33% |
Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) | (52)% | | 160% | | (28)% | | (1)% | | 38% | | 1% |
Covered bonds | ** | | 50% | | 23% | | ** | | 76% | | 88% |
Total issuance | (52)% | | 7% | | (36)% | | (24)% | | 11% | | (10)% |
* Represents no activity in 2022.
** Represents no activity in 2021.
•ABS issuance decreased in the U.S. and Europe driven by a decline in Autos, Student Loans, and Non-Traditional / Esoterics.
•CLO issuance was down in the U.S. and European structured credit markets due to unfavorable market conditions and widening spreads slowing down new issues and eliminating refinancing and resets.
•CMBS issuance was down in the U.S. in the quarter reflecting unfavorable market conditions. CMBS issuance was also down in Europe, although from a low 2021 base.
•RMBS issuance was down the U.S. in the quarter reflecting decreased market volume due to unfavorable market conditions. RMBS issuance increased in Europe reflecting an increase in large jumbo deals.
•Covered bond (debt securities backed by mortgages or other high-quality assets that remain on the issuer's balance sheet) issuance in Europe increased from a low 2021 base as cheaper government funding programs slowed down.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Ratings business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
Commodity Insights
Commodity Insights is a leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodity and energy markets. Commodity Insights provides essential price data, analytics, industry insights and software & services, enabling the commodity and energy markets to perform with greater transparency and efficiency.
Commodity Insights includes the following business lines:
•Energy & Resources Data & Insights — includes data, news, insights, and analytics for petroleum, gas, power & renewables, petrochemicals, metals & steel, agriculture, and other commodities;
•Price Assessments — includes price assessments and benchmarks, forward curves;
•Upstream Data & Insights — includes exploration & production data and insights, software and analytics; and
•Advisory & Transactional Services — includes consulting services, conferences, events and global trading services.
Commodity Insights revenue is generated primarily through the following sources:
•Subscription revenue — primarily from subscriptions to our market data and market insights (price assessments, market reports and commentary and analytics) along with other information products and software term licenses;
•Sales usage-based royalties — primarily from licensing of our proprietary market price data and price assessments to commodity exchanges; and
•Non-subscription revenue — conference sponsorship, consulting engagements, events, and perpetual software licenses.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 432 | | | $ | 255 | | | 70% | | $ | 1,234 | | | $ | 747 | | | 65% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | $ | 394 | | | $ | 236 | | | 67% | | $ | 1,088 | | | $ | 691 | | | 57% |
Sales usage-based royalties | $ | 17 | | | $ | 17 | | | (4)% | | $ | 50 | | | $ | 49 | | | 2% |
Non-subscription revenue | $ | 21 | | | $ | 2 | | | N/M | | $ | 96 | | | $ | 7 | | | N/M |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 91 | % | | 93 | % | | | | 88 | % | | 93 | % | | |
Sales usage-based royalties | 4 | % | | 7 | % | | | | 4 | % | | 7 | % | | |
Non-subscription revenue | 5 | % | | 1 | % | | | | 8 | % | | 1 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 167 | | | $ | 91 | | | 85% | | $ | 496 | | | $ | 261 | | | 90% |
International revenue | $ | 265 | | | $ | 164 | | | 61% | | $ | 738 | | | $ | 486 | | | 52% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 39 | % | | 36 | % | | | | 40 | % | | 35 | % | | |
International revenue | 61 | % | | 64 | % | | | | 60 | % | | 65 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 141 | | | $ | 136 | | | 4% | | $ | 440 | | | $ | 411 | | | 7% |
Operating margin % | 33 | % | | 54 | % | | | | 36 | % | | 55 | % | | |
N/M - Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
Note – In the first quarter of 2022, the Market Intelligence Commodities business was transferred to the Commodity Insights segment and prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.
1Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes employee severance charges of $14 million and $38 million, respectively, and IHS Markit merger costs of $10 million and $16 million, respectively. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $32 million and $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $77 million and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Three Months
Revenue increased 70% primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit and continued demand for market data and market insights products driven by expanded product offerings to our existing customers under enterprise use contracts. The Energy & Resources Data & Insights, Price Assessments and Upstream Data & Insights businesses continue to be the most significant revenue drivers, followed by the Advisory & Transactional Services business. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 1% percentage point.
Operating profit increased 4%. Excluding the impact of higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of 22 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 10 percentage points and IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 7 percentage points, operating profit increased 43%. The increase was primarily due to revenue growth partially offset by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, higher compensation costs, the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions and an increase in operating costs to support business initiatives at Commodity Insights. Foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact of 2% percentage points.
Nine Months
Revenue increased 65% primarily due to the impact of the merger with IHS Markit, continued demand for market data and market insights products driven by expanded product offerings to our existing customers under enterprise use contracts and higher conference revenue driven by the return of in-person attendance at Commodity Insights conferences in 2022 compared to virtual events in 2021. The Energy & Resources Data & Insights, Price Assessments and Upstream Data & Insights businesses continue to be the most significant revenue drivers, followed by the Advisory & Transactional Services business, which contributed large growth in the first quarter of 2022. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of less than 1 percentage point.
Operating profit increased 7%. Excluding the impact of higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of 17 percentage points, employee severance charges in 2022 of 9 percentage points and IHS Markit merger costs in 2022 of 4 percentage points, operating profit increased 37%. The increase was primarily due to revenue growth partially offset by expenses associated with the merger with IHS Markit, an increase in costs related to the Commodity Insights conferences in 2022, higher compensation costs, the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions and an increase in operating costs to support business initiatives at Commodity Insights. Foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact of less than 1 percentage point.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Commodity Insights business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
Mobility
Mobility is a leading provider of solutions serving the full automotive value chain including vehicle manufacturers (OEMs), automotive suppliers, mobility service providers, retailers, consumers, and finance and insurance companies. Mobility operates globally, with staff located in over 17 countries.
Mobility's revenue is generated primarily through the following sources:
•Subscription revenue — Mobility's core information products provide critical information and insights to all global OEMs, most of the world’s leading suppliers, and the majority of North American dealerships. Mobility operates across both the new and used car markets. Mobility provides data and insight on future vehicles sales and production, including detailed forecasts on technology and vehicle components; supplies car makers and dealers with market reporting products, predictive analytics and marketing automation software; and supports dealers with vehicle history reports, used car listings and service retention services. Mobility also sells a range of services to financial institutions, to support their marketing, insurance underwriting and claims management activities; and
•Non-subscription revenue — One-time transactional sales of data that are non-cyclical in nature – and that are usually tied to underlying business metrics such as OEM marketing spend or safety recall activity – as well as consulting and advisory services.
The Mobility business was acquired in connection with the merger with IHS Markit on February 28, 2022 and financial results are included since the date of acquisition.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 346 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 797 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | $ | 269 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 618 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
Non-subscription revenue | $ | 77 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 179 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 78 | % | | — | % | | | | 78 | % | | — | % | | |
Non-subscription revenue | 22 | % | | — | % | | | | 22 | % | | — | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 282 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 647 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
International revenue | $ | 64 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 150 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 82 | % | | — | % | | | | 81 | % | | — | % | | |
International revenue | 18 | % | | — | % | | | | 19 | % | | — | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 90 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 166 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
Operating margin % | 26 | % | | — | % | | | | 21 | % | | — | % | | |
N/M - Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes an acquisition-related benefit of $19 million and $15 million, respectively, and employee severance charges of $1 million and $3 million, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $76 million and $176 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Mobility business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
Indices
Indices is a global index provider that maintains a wide variety of valuation and index benchmarks for investment advisors, wealth managers and institutional investors. Indices’ mission is to provide transparent benchmarks to help with decision making, collaborate with the financial community to create innovative products, and provide investors with tools to monitor world markets.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $14 million ($12 million after tax) and $52 million ($43 million after-tax) for the sale of a family of leveraged loan indices in Loss (gain) on dispositions in the consolidated statements of income.
Indices derives revenue from asset-linked fees when investors direct funds into its proprietary designed or owned indexes, sales-usage based royalties of its indices, and to a lesser extent data subscription arrangements. Specifically, Indices generates revenue from the following sources:
•Investment vehicles — asset-linked fees such as ETFs and mutual funds, that are based on the S&P Dow Jones Indices' benchmarks that generate revenue through fees based on assets and underlying funds;
•Exchange traded derivatives — generate sales usage-based royalties based on trading volumes of derivatives contracts listed on various exchanges;
•Index-related licensing fees — fixed or variable annual and per-issue asset-linked fees for over-the-counter derivatives and retail-structured products; and
•Data and customized index subscription fees — fees from supporting index fund management, portfolio analytics and research.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 334 | | | $ | 298 | | | 12% | | $ | 995 | | | $ | 846 | | | 18% |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-linked fees | $ | 210 | | | $ | 211 | | | (1)% | | $ | 642 | | | $ | 589 | | | 9% |
Subscription revenue | $ | 69 | | | $ | 47 | | | 48% | | $ | 190 | | | $ | 140 | | | 35% |
Sales usage-based royalties | $ | 55 | | | $ | 40 | | | 37% | | $ | 163 | | | $ | 117 | | | 40% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset-linked fees | 63 | % | | 71 | % | | | | 65 | % | | 70 | % | | |
Subscription revenue | 21 | % | | 16 | % | | | | 19 | % | | 17 | % | | |
Sales usage-based royalties | 16 | % | | 13 | % | | | | 16 | % | | 14 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 271 | | | $ | 249 | | | 9% | | $ | 818 | | | $ | 707 | | | 16% |
International revenue | $ | 63 | | | $ | 49 | | | 27% | | $ | 177 | | | $ | 139 | | | 28% |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 81 | % | | 84 | % | | | | 82 | % | | 84 | % | | |
International revenue | 19 | % | | 16 | % | | | | 18 | % | | 16 | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 239 | | | $ | 213 | | | 12% | | $ | 732 | | | $ | 600 | | | 22% |
Less: net operating profit attributable to noncontrolling interests | 64 | | | 58 | | | | | 195 | | | 161 | | | |
Net operating profit | $ | 175 | | | $ | 155 | | | 13% | | $ | 537 | | | $ | 439 | | | 22% |
Operating margin % | 72 | % | | 71 | % | | | | 74 | % | | 71 | % | | |
Net operating margin % | 52 | % | | 52 | % | | | | 54 | % | | 52 | % | | |
1 Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes a gain on disposition of $14 million and $52 million, respectively, employee severance charges of $1 million and $4 million, respectively, and IHS Markit merger costs of $1 million. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $9 million and $1 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $22 million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Three Months
Revenue at Indices increased 12% primarily due to higher exchange-traded derivative revenue driven by higher average trading volume from increased volatility, higher average levels of assets under management (“AUM”) for mutual funds, higher data subscription revenue and the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. These increases were partially offset by lower levels of AUM for ETFs and the impact of a breakup fee associated with the a termination of several ETF funds in the prior year period. Ending AUM for ETFs at September 30, 2022 was $2.348 trillion. Excluding AUM related to the merger with IHS Markit, ending AUM for ETFs decreased 10% to $2.230 trillion and average levels of AUM for ETFs decreased 3% to $2.458 trillion compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 1 percentage point.
Operating profit increased 12%. Excluding the impact of a gain on disposition of 7 percentage points, partially offset by higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of 4 percentage points, operating profit increased 10%. Revenue growth and lower incentive costs were partially offset by an increase in strategic investments, higher compensation costs driven by annual merit increases, the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions and the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 2 percentage points.
Nine Months
Revenue at Indices increased 18% primarily due to higher exchange-traded derivative revenue driven by higher average trading volume from increased volatility, higher average levels of assets under management (“AUM”) for mutual funds, higher data subscription revenue and the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Ending AUM for ETFs at September 30, 2022 was $2.348 trillion. Excluding AUM related to the merger with IHS Markit, ending AUM for ETFs decreased 10% to $2.230 trillion and average levels of AUM for ETFs increased 9% to $2.548 trillion compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of less than 1 percentage point.
Operating profit increased 22%. Excluding the impact of a gain on disposition of 9 percentage points, partially offset by higher amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of 3 percentage points and employee severance charges in 2022 of 1 percentage point, operating profit increased 17%. The impact of revenue growth and lower incentive costs were partially offset by an increase in strategic investments, higher compensation costs driven by annual merit increases, higher data costs, the resumption of business travel from the lifting of COVID restrictions and the impact of the merger with IHS Markit. Foreign exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of 1 percentage point.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Indices business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
Engineering Solutions
Engineering Solutions is a leading provider of engineering standards and related technical knowledge. Engineering Solutions includes our Product Design offerings that provide technical professionals with the information and insight required to more effectively design products, optimize engineering projects and outcomes, solve technical problems and address complex supply chain issues. Our offerings utilize advanced knowledge discovery technologies, research tools, and software-based engineering decision engines to advance innovation, maximize productivity, improve quality and reduce risk.
Engineering Solutions' revenue is generated primarily through the following sources:
•Subscription revenue — primarily from subscriptions to our Product Design offerings providing standards, codes and specifications; applied technical reference; engineering journals, reports, best practices, and other vetted technical reference; and patents and patent applications, which includes Engineering Workbench; Goldfire's cognitive search and other advanced knowledge discovery capabilities that help pinpoint answers buried in enterprise systems and unstructured data enabling engineers and technical professionals to accelerate problem solving; and
•Non-subscription revenue — primarily from retail transaction and consulting services.
The Engineering Solutions business was acquired in connection with the merger with IHS Markit on February 28, 2022 and
financial results are included since the date of acquisition.
The following table provides revenue and segment operating profit information for the periods ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months | | Nine Months |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change | | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Revenue | $ | 95 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 224 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | $ | 89 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 208 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
Non-subscription revenue | $ | 6 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 16 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Subscription revenue | 94 | % | | — | % | | | | 93 | % | | — | % | | |
Non-subscription revenue | 6 | % | | — | % | | | | 7 | % | | — | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | $ | 53 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 124 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
International revenue | $ | 42 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 100 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
% of total revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. revenue | 56 | % | | — | % | | | | 55 | % | | — | % | | |
International revenue | 44 | % | | — | % | | | | 45 | % | | — | % | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating profit 1 | $ | 1 | | | $ | — | | | N/M | | $ | 3 | | | $ | — | | | N/M |
Operating margin % | 1 | % | | — | % | | | | 1 | % | | — | % | | |
N/M - Represents a change equal to or in excess of 100% or not meaningful
1 Operating profit for three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes employee severance charges of $2 million and $4 million, respectively. Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $14 million and $33 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.
For a further discussion of competitive and other risks inherent in our Engineering Solutions business, see Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a further discussion of the legal and regulatory matters see Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We continue to maintain a strong financial position. Our primary source of funds for operations is cash from our businesses. Cash on hand, cash flows from operations and availability under our existing credit facility are expected to be sufficient to meet any additional operating and recurring cash needs into the foreseeable future. We use our cash for a variety of needs, including but not limited to: ongoing investments in our businesses, strategic acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends, repayment of debt, capital expenditures and investment in our infrastructure.
Cash Flow Overview
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $1,389 million as of September 30, 2022, a decrease of $5,116 million from December 31, 2021.
The following table provides cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Net cash provided by (used for): | | | | | |
Operating activities | $ | 1,490 | | | $ | 2,658 | | | (44)% |
Investing activities | $ | 3,689 | | | $ | (42) | | | N/M |
Financing activities | $ | (10,128) | | | $ | (772) | | | N/M |
In the first nine months of 2022, free cash flow decreased $1,222 million to $1,232 million compared to $2,454 million in the first nine months of 2021. The decrease is primarily due to a decrease in cash provided by operating activities as discussed
below. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and reflects our cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders. Capital expenditures include purchases of property and equipment and additions to technology projects. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information” below for a reconciliation of cash flow provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow and free cash flow excluding certain items.
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $1,168 million to $1,490 million for the first nine months of 2022. The decrease is mainly due to a decrease in operating results, an increase in IHS Markit merger costs, higher taxes paid on divestitures and a grant payment to the S&P Global Foundation in 2022.
Investing activities
Our cash outflows from investing activities are primarily for acquisitions and capital expenditures, while cash inflows are primarily proceeds from dispositions.
Cash provided by investing activities was $3,689 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to cash used for investing activities of $42 million in the first nine months of 2021, primarily due to cash received from the dispositions of CUSIP Global Services, Oil Price Information Services, the Leveraged Commentary and Data business and a related family of leveraged loan indices, and the Base Chemicals business in 2022. See Note 2 — Acquisitions and Divestitures to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q for further discussion.
Financing activities
Our cash outflows from financing activities consist primarily of share repurchases, dividends to shareholders and repayments of short-term and long-term debt, while cash inflows are primarily attributable to the borrowing of short-term and long-term debt and proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Cash used for financing activities increased $9,356 million to $10,128 million for the first nine months of 2022. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in cash used for share repurchases in 2022. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we purchased a total of 29.5 million shares for $11.0 billion of cash. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we did not use cash to repurchase shares. See Note 8 — Equity to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q for further discussion.
Additional Financing
We have the ability to borrow a total of $2.0 billion through our commercial paper program, which is supported by our $2.0 billion five-year credit agreement (our “credit facility”) that will terminate on April 26, 2026. On April 26, 2021, we entered into a revolving $1.5 billion five-year credit agreement that included an accordion feature which allowed the Company to increase the total commitments thereunder by up to an additional $500 million, subject to certain customary terms and conditions. On February 25, 2022, we exercised the accordion feature which increased the total commitments available under our credit facility from $1.5 billion to $2.0 billion. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there was no commercial paper outstanding.
Commitment fees for the unutilized commitments under the credit facility and applicable margins for borrowings thereunder are linked to the Company achieving three environmental sustainability performance indicators related to emissions, tested annually. We currently pay a commitment fee of 8 basis points. The credit facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default. The occurrence of an event of default could result in an acceleration of the obligations under the credit facility.
The only financial covenant required is that our indebtedness to cash flow ratio, as defined in our credit facility, was not greater than 4 to 1, and this covenant level has never been exceeded.
Dividends
On January 26, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.77 per share.
On February 28, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.85 per share. The quarterly dividend increased from $0.77 to $0.85 per share beginning in the second quarter.
Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information
The senior notes described below were issued by S&P Global Inc. and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company. All senior notes described below have been registered with the SEC.
•On August 13, 2020, we issued $600 million of 1.25% senior notes due in 2030 and $700 million of 2.3% senior notes due in 2060.
•On November 26, 2019, we issued $500 million of 2.5% senior notes due in 2029 and $600 million of 3.25% senior notes due in 2049.
•On May 17, 2018, we issued $500 million of 4.5% senior notes due in 2048.
•On September 22, 2016, we issued $500 million of 2.95% senior notes due in 2027.
•On May 26, 2015, we issued $700 million of 4.0% senior notes due in 2025.
•On November 2, 2007 we issued $400 million of 6.55% Senior Notes due 2037.
The notes above are unsecured and unsubordinated and rank equally and ratably with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The guarantees are the subsidiary guarantor’s unsecured and unsubordinated debt and rank equally and ratably with all of the subsidiary guarantor’s existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
The guarantees of the subsidiary guarantor may be released and discharged upon (i) a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of the subsidiary guarantor or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the subsidiary guarantor (in each case other than to the Company or a person who, prior to such sale or other disposition, is an affiliate of the Company); (ii) upon defeasance or discharge of any applicable series of the notes, as described above; or (iii) at such time as the subsidiary guarantor ceases to guarantee indebtedness for borrowed money, other than a discharge through payment thereon, under any Credit Facility of the Company, other than any such Credit Facility of the Company the guarantee of which by the subsidiary guarantor will be released concurrently with the release of the subsidiary guarantor’s guarantees of the notes.
Other subsidiaries of the Company do not guarantee the registered debt securities of either S&P Global Inc. or Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (the “Obligor Group”) which are referred to as the “Non-Obligor Group”.
The following tables set forth the summarized financial information of the Obligor Group on a combined basis. This summarized financial information excludes the Non-Obligor Group. Intercompany balances and transactions between members of the Obligor Group have been eliminated. This information is not intended to present the financial position or results of operations of the Obligor Group in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Summarized results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2022 are as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months | | Nine Months |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2022 |
| | | |
Revenue | $ | 652 | | | $ | 2,121 | |
Operating Profit | 455 | | | 1,149 | |
Net Income | 360 | | | 1,274 | |
Net income attributable to S&P Global Inc. | 360 | | | 1,274 | |
Summarized balance sheet information as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | September 30, | | December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
Current assets (excluding intercompany from Non-Obligor Group) | $ | 936 | | | $ | 6,124 | |
Non-current assets | 1,539 | | | 846 | |
| | | |
Current liabilities (excluding intercompany to Non-Obligor Group) | 947 | | | 1,307 | |
Non-current liabilities | 11,313 | | | 5,242 | |
Intercompany payables to Non-Obligor Group | 10,971 | | | 4,851 | |
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and reflects our cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net. Capital expenditures include purchases of property and equipment and additions to technology projects. Our cash flow provided by operating activities is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure to free cash flow.
We believe the presentation of free cash flow allows our investors to evaluate the cash generated from our underlying operations in a manner similar to the method used by management. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business because we believe it typically presents a more conservative measure of cash flows since capital expenditures and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders are considered a necessary component of ongoing operations. Free cash flow is useful for management and investors because it allows management and investors to evaluate the cash available to us to prepay debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments and repurchase stock.
The presentation of free cash flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Free cash flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. The following table presents a reconciliation of our cash flow provided by operating activities to free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,490 | | | $ | 2,658 | | | (44) | % |
Capital expenditures | (61) | | | (33) | | | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net | (197) | | | (171) | | | |
Free cash flow | $ | 1,232 | | | $ | 2,454 | | | (50) | % |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | 2022 | | 2021 | | % Change |
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities | 3,689 | | | (42) | | | N/M |
Cash used for financing activities | (10,128) | | | (772) | | | N/M |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our accounting policies are described in Note 1 — Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements in our most recent Form 10-K. As discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our most recent Form 10-K, we consider an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations. These critical estimates include those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, pension plans, incentive compensation and stock-based compensation, income taxes, contingencies and redeemable non-controlling interests. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. Since the date of our most recent Form 10-K, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting estimates.
RECENTLY ISSUED OR ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 13 – Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards to the consolidated financial statements of this Form 10-Q for further information.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including statements about COVID-19 and the completed merger (the “Merger”) between a subsidiary of the Company and IHS Markit Ltd. (“IHS Markit”), which express management’s current views concerning future events, trends, contingencies or results, appear at various places in this report and use words like “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “strategy,” “target” and similar terms, and future or conditional tense verbs like “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and “would.” For example, management may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: the outcome of contingencies; future actions by regulators; changes in the Company’s business strategies and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of the Company’s services and products; the expected impact of acquisitions and dispositions; the Company’s effective tax rates; and the Company’s cost structure, dividend policy, cash flows or liquidity.
Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements include, among other things:
•worldwide economic, financial, political, and regulatory conditions, and factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., COVID-19), geopolitical uncertainty (including military conflict), and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes;
•the ability of the Company to retain customers and to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to IHS Markit’s business and realize expected synergies;
•business disruption following the Merger;
•the Company’s ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the Merger;
•the volatility and health of debt, equity, commodities and energy markets, including credit quality and spreads, the level of liquidity and future debt issuances, demand for investment products that track indices and assessments and trading volumes of certain exchange traded derivatives;
•the demand and market for credit ratings in and across the sectors and geographies where the Company operates;
•the Company’s ability to successfully recover should it experience a disaster or other business continuity problem from a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, pandemic, security breach, cyber attack, data breach, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
•the Company’s ability to maintain adequate physical, technical and administrative safeguards to protect the security of confidential information and data, and the potential for a system or network disruption that results in regulatory penalties and remedial costs or improper disclosure of confidential information or data;
•the outcome of litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries;
•concerns in the marketplace affecting the Company’s credibility or otherwise affecting market perceptions of the integrity or utility of independent credit ratings, benchmarks and indices;
•the effect of competitive products and pricing, including the level of success of new product developments and global expansion;
•the Company’s exposure to potential criminal sanctions or civil penalties for noncompliance with foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that are applicable in the domestic and international jurisdictions in which it operates, including sanctions laws relating to countries such as Iran, Russia, Sudan, Syria and Venezuela, anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, and local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials, as well as import and export restrictions;
•the continuously evolving regulatory environment, in Europe, the United States and elsewhere around the globe, affecting S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Commodity Insights, S&P Dow Jones Indices, S&P Global Market Intelligence, and the products those business divisions offer including our ESG products, and the Company’s compliance therewith;
•the Company’s ability to make acquisitions and dispositions and successfully integrate the businesses we acquire;
•consolidation in the Company’s end-customer markets;
•the introduction of competing products or technologies by other companies;
•the impact of customer cost-cutting pressures, including in the financial services industry and the commodities markets;
•a decline in the demand for credit risk management tools by financial institutions;
•the level of merger and acquisition activity in the United States and abroad;
•our ability to attract, incentivize and retain key employees, especially in today’s competitive business environment;
•the level of the Company’s future cash flows and capital investments;
•the impact on the Company’s revenue and net income caused by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and
•the impact of changes in applicable tax or accounting requirements on the Company.
The factors noted above are not exhaustive. The Company and its subsidiaries operate in a dynamic business environment in which new risks emerge frequently. Accordingly, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date on which it is made, except as required by applicable law. Further information about the Company’s businesses, including information about factors that could materially affect its results of operations and financial condition, is contained in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.