China's manufacturing sector contracted for the first time in eight months in May, signaling growing pressure from external trade dynamics—most notably U.S. tariff policies and a global demand slowdown. According to the Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), activity dropped to 48.3, falling below the neutral 50.0 mark and surprising analysts who had expected continued expansion.
South Korea’s manufacturing sector faced further contraction in May 2025, reflecting sustained pressure from declining domestic demand and intensifying trade friction with the United States. According to the latest data from S&P Global, the country’s Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) edged slightly higher to 47.7 from April’s 47.5 but remained below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction.
S&P Global Inc. $SPGI, one of the world’s leading financial information and analytics providers, has announced plans to spin off its Mobility Technology division into a separate publicly traded entity. The move, revealed on Tuesday, signals a strategic refinement of the company’s core business structure, aiming to sharpen its focus on high-growth, data-driven segments in the financial and commodity sectors.
In an era marked by rapid changes in global financial markets, mergers and acquisitions have emerged as crucial drivers of transformation. Recently, American private equity firm KKR completed its second major acquisition in less than a week. With a deal valued at USD 3.1 billion, KKR acquired a joint venture formed by S&P Global and CME Group. Despite the decelerating pace of deals caused by tariff restrictions, this move underscores a determined effort by industry players to reshape market dynamics.
The private equity firm GTCR is close to finalizing a deal to acquire OSTTRA, a provider of post-trade services in the foreign exchange and derivatives markets, for a remarkable sum of $3.2 billion. This news has caught the attention of experts and analysts as it reflects the ongoing trend of consolidation in the financial sector.
In a dramatic turn of events, credit rating powerhouse S&P Global has announced a comprehensive revision of its macroeconomic forecasts following the imposition of sweeping tariffs by then-President Donald Trump. This bold move has sent ripples through the global economy, as the scale and scope of these new trade barriers have far exceeded all expert expectations. The resultant wave of uncertainty is now prompting concerns over potential downgrades in credit ratings not just for individual companies, but for entire nations.
March 2025 marked a new chapter for India's manufacturing sector, showcasing its fastest growth pace in eight months. This resurgent performance was driven primarily by robust domestic demand, which has effectively offset more than a year of previous contraction. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 58.1 from February's 56.3, comfortably above the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from decline.
On Friday, S&P Global Ratings downgraded the long-term credit rating of Nissan Motor (7201.T) to "BB." This move reflects the current outlook on the company's business performance, as industry analysts note that Nissan’s automotive sector lacks the rapid transformative progress needed to compete effectively with its global peers.
