- Wondering if S&P Global is currently a deal, overpriced, or maybe even overlooked? You are not alone, and we are about to break down what really matters for investors looking at this giant in financial data and analytics.
- In the past month the stock climbed 3.4%, though it still trails over the past year with a total return of -2.1%. This serves as a reminder that even industry leaders have their ups and downs.
- Much of the recent action comes as S&P Global continues to close strategic acquisitions and reaffirm its positioning in key markets, fueling both anticipation and debate about its future. News about expanding ESG offerings and integrating recent fintech purchases has added new layers to the company’s growth narrative and may have impacted investor sentiment in the short term.
- Currently, S&P Global scores a 1 out of 6 on our core value checks, so there is clearly more to the story. Let’s explore the methods the market uses to judge what S&P Global is truly worth, before we reveal an even smarter way to think about valuation.
S&P Global scores just 1/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown.
Approach 1: S&P Global Excess Returns Analysis
The Excess Returns model evaluates a company's ability to generate profits above its cost of equity capital. In short, it considers not just how much capital S&P Global invests, but how effectively it turns that capital into value for shareholders over and above its minimum required return.
S&P Global stands out with a book value of $109.21 per share and a stable earnings per share (EPS) estimate of $19.45, based on weighted future Return on Equity (ROE) projections from four analysts. Its average ROE is 17.24%, while the cost of equity stands at $9.40 per share, resulting in an excess return of $10.04 per share. The stable book value is projected at $112.81 per share, as determined by five analyst estimates. These numbers suggest S&P Global continues to generate returns that exceed its funding costs, a key trait of high-quality businesses.
However, when we compare this to the market price, the Excess Returns model estimates the intrinsic value per share at $310.68. This places the current share price roughly 59.6% above this fair value. This implies S&P Global stock appears significantly overvalued at the moment under this lens.
Result: OVERVALUED
Our Excess Returns analysis suggests S&P Global may be overvalued by 59.6%. Discover 881 undervalued stocks or create your own screener to find better value opportunities.
Approach 2: S&P Global Price vs Earnings
The price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is often the go-to valuation metric for profitable companies like S&P Global because it directly reflects how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of current earnings. It is especially relevant here, as S&P Global has steady, reliable profits, making PE a sensible yardstick for opportunity and risk.
What counts as a “normal” or fair PE ratio depends on the market’s perception of a company’s growth prospects and risk. Higher expected earnings growth or greater perceived stability usually warrant a higher PE, while economic or business risks tend to lower that number. This is why it is valuable to compare S&P Global's PE to relevant benchmarks.
Currently, S&P Global trades at a PE ratio of 35.6x. That stands well above both the Capital Markets industry average of 25.4x and the average among direct peers at 31.3x. While that lofty valuation might cause hesitation, it does not tell the whole story.
Simply Wall St’s “Fair Ratio” aims to set a more personalized benchmark by factoring in drivers specific to S&P Global such as earnings growth, profit margins, industry dynamics, market cap, and risk profile. This tailored approach goes further than basic peer or industry averages, which can overlook a company’s unique strengths or vulnerabilities.
For S&P Global, the Fair Ratio is calculated at 18.2x, which is notably lower than the current market multiple. This suggests that even accounting for its growth and quality advantages, the stock is likely priced above what its fundamentals justify at this time.
Result: OVERVALUED
PE ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1403 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth.
Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your S&P Global Narrative
Earlier we mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation, so let us introduce you to Narratives. A Narrative is a simple and intuitive way to link your perspective on S&P Global, including your assumptions about future revenue, profits and margins, to a financial forecast and ultimately to a fair value for the stock.
This approach allows you to move beyond the numbers and connect S&P Global’s story, such as its growth strategy, competitive strengths or risks, directly to an investment decision. Narratives are available on Simply Wall St's Community page, used by millions of investors, making it easy for anyone to explore or create their own investment story.
By comparing your Narrative-driven fair value to the current market price, you can decide if now is the right time to buy or sell. Plus, your Narrative dynamically updates when new information surfaces, like the latest earnings or news, ensuring your view stays relevant.
For instance, one investor’s Narrative might reflect optimism about global data demand and assign a fair value well above the market. Another’s conservative outlook might land far below the current price. No matter your perspective, Narratives let you act on a story that works for you.
Do you think there's more to the story for S&P Global? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Valuation is complex, but we're here to simplify it.
Discover if S&P Global might be undervalued or overvalued with our detailed analysis, featuring fair value estimates, potential risks, dividends, insider trades, and its financial condition.
Access Free AnalysisHave feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com