NEW YORK and LONDON, Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) and IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO) today announced the future divisional structure of the combined company, effective upon completing their pending merger.
“This announcement is an important milestone in bringing together our two world-class organizations to power the markets of the future,” said Douglas Peterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of S&P Global. “As a combined company, we will provide customers the intelligence they need to make decisions with conviction while providing growth and development opportunities for our people.”
Divisional Structure
S&P Global Ratings will be led by Martina Cheung, currently President of S&P Global Market Intelligence, upon close. Effective immediately, Ms. Cheung will also lead the S&P Global ESG team, consolidating cross-divisional ESG assets with a leadership group designed to scale quickly and accelerate growth. John Berisford, currently President of Ratings, will lead the Integration Management Office upon closing, in partnership with Ewout Steenbergen, Chief Financial Officer.
S&P Global Market Intelligence will be combined with IHS Markit’s Financial Services business upon close and led by Adam Kansler, currently President of Financial Services at IHS Markit.
S&P Global Platts will be led by Saugata Saha, currently CFO of S&P Global Market Intelligence and Platts, effective January 2021. After close, Mr. Saha will continue leading Platts, combined with the Energy & Natural Resources business of IHS Markit. For nearly seven years, Mr. Saha has led initiatives to drive growth and execute on complex transformations at S&P Global. Saugata’s vast experience spans strategy, operations, finance and integration, as well as consulting at McKinsey and several business roles at The Godrej Group.
- Martin Fraenkel, currently President of S&P Global Platts, will work closely with Mr. Saha to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Fraenkel will become Vice Chairman of Platts and continue to serve on the Board of CRISIL until his retirement in September 2021.
- Brian Crotty, currently EVP, Energy & Natural Resources at IHS Markit will work closely with Mr. Saha during the integration phase and will remain with the company for one year after close.
S&P Dow Jones Indices will continue to be led by Dan Draper, CEO of S&P Dow Jones Indices.
S&P Global Transportation will be led by Edouard Tavernier, currently EVP, Transportation with IHS Markit.
Lance Uggla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IHS Markit, said, “We believe this combined leadership team reflects the strengths of both organizations and brings the right skills, expertise and experience as we work to drive long-term growth and shareholder value while continuing to deliver for our customers.” As previously announced, Mr. Uggla will serve as a special advisor to the combined company for one year following the close.
Finance
As previously disclosed, Ewout Steenbergen will serve as Chief Financial Officer of the combined company. He will also continue to lead Kensho and upon closing will expand his responsibilities to include Consolidated Markets & Solutions (CMS), a division of IHS Markit.
Integration Management Office
S&P Global and IHS Markit have also formed an Integration Management Office (IMO), which prior to close will be co-led by Ms. Cheung and Jonathan Gear, currently Chief Financial Officer of IHS Markit. As mentioned above, following closing, the IMO will be led by John Berisford in partnership with Ewout Steenbergen. Comprising leaders from S&P Global and IHS Markit, the IMO will develop and execute plans to bring together the two companies.
The combination remains on track to close in the second half of 2021, subject to, among other things, the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, other antitrust and regulatory approvals, and other customary closing conditions. The transaction requires the approval of shareholders of both S&P Global and IHS Markit.
Both S&P Global and IHS Markit are currently in a quiet period therefore neither company will be taking investor questions related to this release.
About S&P Global
S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) is the world’s foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks and analytics in the global capital and commodity markets, offering ESG solutions, deep data and insights on critical business factors. We’ve been providing essential intelligence that unlocks opportunity, fosters growth and accelerates progress for more than 160 years. Our divisions include S&P Global Ratings, S&P Global Market Intelligence, S&P Dow Jones Indices and S&P Global Platts. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com.
About IHS Markit
IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world’s leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth. For more information, visit www.ihsmarkit.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about future business and operating results, the industry and markets in which S&P Global Inc. (“S&P Global”) and IHS Markit Ltd. (“IHS Markit”) operate and beliefs of and assumptions made by S&P Global management and IHS Markit management, involve uncertainties that could significantly affect the financial or operating results of S&P Global, IHS Markit or the combined company. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will, ” “should,” “may,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “target,” “estimates” or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature, but not all forward-looking statements include such identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, projections of earnings, statements of plans for future operations or expected revenues, statements about the benefits of the transaction involving S&P Global and IHS Markit, including future financial and operating results and cost and revenue synergies, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to creating value for shareholders, benefits of the proposed transaction to shareholders, employees, customers and other constituents of the combined company, the outcome of contingencies, future actions by regulators, changes in business strategies and methods of generating revenue, the development and performance of each company’s services and products, integrating our companies, cost savings, the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction, general conditions in the geographic areas where we operate and our respective effective tax rates, cost structure, dividend policy, cash flows or liquidity — are forward-looking statements.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained and therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. For example, these forward-looking statements could be affected by factors including, without limitation, risks associated with: (i) the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner; (ii) the ability of S&P Global and IHS Markit to obtain shareholder approval for the proposed transaction; (iii) uncertainty relating to the impact of the proposed transaction on the businesses of S&P Global and IHS Markit, including potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed transaction and changes to existing business relationships during the pendency of the acquisition that could affect S&P Global’s and/or IHS Markit’s financial performance; (iv) the ability of S&P Global to successfully integrate IHS Markit’s operations and retain and hire key personnel; (v) the ability of S&P Global to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to IHS Markit’s business after the consummation of the proposed transaction and realize expected synergies; (vi) business disruption following the proposed transaction; (vii) economic, financial, political and regulatory conditions, in the United States and elsewhere, and other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, including the upcoming U.S. presidential transition, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, natural and man-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (the “COVID-19 pandemic”)), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from legislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current or subsequent U.S. administration; (viii) the ability of S&P Global and IHS Markit to successfully recover from a disaster or other business continuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, war, pandemic, security breach, cyber -attack, power loss, telecommunications failure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function remotely during long-term disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic; (ix) the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic) and epidemics and any related company or governmental policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or governmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets, including any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down or similar actions and policies; (x) the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; (xi) changes in debt and equity markets, including credit quality and spreads; (xii) demand for investment products that track indices and assessments, and trading volumes of certain exchange-traded derivatives; (xiii) changes in financial markets, capital, credit and commodities markets and interest rates; (xiv) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (xv) the parties’ ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction; and (xvi) those additional risks and factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by S&P Global and IHS Markit from time to time, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in their respective most recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, this list should not be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on S&P Global’s or IHS Markit’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, each of S&P Global and IHS Markit disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements contained in this communication or to otherwise update any of the above-referenced factors.
No Offer or Solicitation
This document is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Important Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, S&P Global and IHS Markit will file relevant materials with the SEC, including a registration statement on Form S-4 filed by S&P Global to register the shares of S&P Global common stock to be issued in connection with the proposed transaction. The registration statement will include a joint proxy statement/prospectus which will be sent to the shareholders of S&P Global and IHS Markit seeking their approval of their respective transaction-related proposals. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE RELATED JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT S&P GLOBAL, IHS MARKIT AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or from S&P Global at its website, or from IHS Markit at its website. Documents filed with the SEC by S&P Global will be available free of charge by accessing S&P Global’s website at www.spglobal.com under the heading Investor Relations, or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone to 866-436-8502 (domestic callers) or 212-438-2192 (international callers) or by mail to S&P Global at Investor Relations, S&P Global Inc., 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041, and documents filed with the SEC by IHS Markit will be available free of charge by accessing IHS Markit’s website at www.ihsmarkit.com under the heading Investor Relations or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone to 303-790-0600 or by mail to IHS Markit at IHS Markit Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, 15 Inverness Way East, Englewood, CO 80112.
Participants in the Solicitation
S&P Global, IHS Markit and certain of their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of S&P Global and IHS Markit in respect of the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about IHS Markit’s directors and executive officers is available in IHS Markit’s Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2019, proxy statement dated February 28, 2020 for its 2020 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information about S&P Global’s directors and executive officers is available in S&P Global’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, proxy statement dated March 30, 2020 for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the transaction when they become available. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from S&P Global or IHS Markit using the sources indicated above.
Contacts:
Investor Relations:
S&P Global
Chip Merritt
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
(212) 438 4321
[email protected]
http://investor.spglobal.com
IHS Markit
Eric Boyer
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
IHS Markit
(303) 397 2969
[email protected]
http://investor.ihsmarkit.com/
News Media:
S&P Global
Dave Guarino
Chief Communications Officer
(201) 755 5334
[email protected]
IHS Markit
Sebastian Kadritzke
[email protected]
+44-7939-227-676
SOURCE S&P Global; IHS Markit
