Tag: stock-market
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What All-Time Highs Really Mean for Credit Ratings
In the world of investing, the fear of market peaks is deeply rooted. Investors often hesitate to deploy capital when equity indices are at all-time highs, fearing an imminent correction. But this fear is not only frequently misplaced—it may also distort long-term financial strategies and, by extension, the interpretation of creditworthiness and risk metrics. Duncan…
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European Investment Banking and Capital Markets Activity Slows in H1 2025: Implications for Rating Agencies
According to data from LSEG Deals Intelligence, investment banking fees (more precisely, commissions) in Europe totaled an estimated US$13.4 billion in the first half of 2025. This marks an 11% year-over-year decline, though still higher than the levels recorded in the first half of 2023 and 2022. Debt capital markets (DCM) underwriting commissions reached US$5.8 billion,…
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Chile’s Financial Market Deepens as Moody’s Acquires ICR Chile
Chile’s financial market has long been one of the more stable and transparent systems in Latin America, marked by strong institutions and a deepening domestic capital market. In a move that underscores both Chile’s rising significance and the international appetite for quality credit information, Moody’s Corporation announced it has fully acquired ICR Chile, one of…
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Interpreting UBP’s Outlook Amid Policy Shifts and Market Volatility
Disclaimer: The following interpretations are based on an analysis published by Union Bancaire Privée (UBP). They reflect possible implications and not definitive outcomes. These developments carry several implications for credit ratings across asset classes and regions. Macroeconomic Stability and Sovereign Ratings The stabilization of U.S. economic data and the subsiding recession risks may offer short-term…
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Implications for Credit Ratings: Japan’s Market Transformation and Corporate Reform
Japan’s stock market is undergoing a fundamental transformation that goes beyond short-term cyclical trends, according to June-Yon Kim, Lead Portfolio Manager for Japanese equities at Lazard Asset Management. For decades, Japan’s equity market had been weighed down by deflation and structural inefficiencies. However, this has been followed by a prolonged phase of remarkable transformation, including…
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Moody’s Margin Development: 2024 Performance and 2025 Outlook
Moody’s Corporation demonstrated strong margin expansion in 2024, driven by revenue growth, cost efficiency measures, and disciplined execution. The company’s operating margin increased from 36.1% in 2023 to 40.6% in 2024, reflecting higher revenue across both Moody’s Investors Service (MIS) and Moody’s Analytics (MA). Adjusted operating margin saw an even stronger improvement, rising from 43.9%…
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Powering Financial Markets: The Pivotal Role of S&P Global Ratings
S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) has solidified its position as a leader in financial intelligence and analytics, with its Ratings business playing a crucial role in its sustained growth and profitability. As one of the world’s foremost credit rating agencies, S&P Global Ratings provides essential insights into credit risk, helping investors and institutions make informed decisions.…
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