StandardPoors

Standard & Poor's, commonly known as S&P, is a global provider of financial market intelligence. It is a subsidiary of S&P Global, which was formerly The McGraw-Hill Companies. S&P is best known for its stock market indices, such as the S&P 500, and its credit ratings. The company offers independent data, research, and analytical tools to investors, corporations, and governments.

The core of S&P's business involves assessing the creditworthiness of debt issuers, including corporations and governments. These credit ratings indicate the likelihood that an issuer will repay its debt obligations. S&P also maintains and publishes various stock market indices, with the S&P 500 being one of the most widely followed benchmarks for the performance of large-cap U.S. equities.

Founded in 1941 through the merger of Standard Statistics Company and Poor's Publishing Company, S&P has a long history in financial analysis. Over the decades, it has grown to become a leading source of information and ratings in the financial industry. Its services are used by a wide range of market participants to make informed investment and financial decisions. The company operates globally, providing insights into diverse markets and economies.