UBS reduced its price target for S&P Global Inc. to $550 from $620 on Monday, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said the cut follows the company's weaker-than-expected performance after reporting fourth-quarter results.
UBS highlighted several drivers behind the stock's pullback, including investor unease over how artificial intelligence may affect parts of the sector and softer near-term guidance for S&P Global's Market Intelligence and Ratings businesses. The brokerage described the guidance reduction as a setback for confidence in management's execution, noting that positive momentum appeared to be building ahead of the announcement.
Market data cited by UBS showed the shares have declined 26.13% over the past six months, and technical indicators such as the relative strength index pointed toward oversold conditions.
The firm reiterated support for S&P Global's diversified business mix and said it still expects the company can achieve its stated targets. However, UBS warned that mixed execution across businesses could leave the company's valuation multiple trailing peer groups.
S&P Global's fourth-quarter earnings for 2025 delivered a mixed set of results. Revenue came in slightly ahead of expectations at $3.92 billion versus $3.90 billion anticipated, but earnings per share missed the consensus, registering $4.30 against a $4.32 forecast.
In the wake of the earnings release, a number of sell-side analysts adjusted their outlooks. Stifel lowered its price target to $489 from $599, citing the lower-than-expected quarterly results and the company's 2026 guidance. BMO Capital cut its target to $482 from $601 while retaining an Outperform rating despite the earnings shortfall. Meanwhile, BofA Securities reinstated coverage with a Buy rating and set a $575 price target.
Those revisions illustrate divergent assessments among brokers about S&P Global's near-term trajectory and medium-term potential following the mixed quarterly report and updated guidance signals.
Summary of developments
- UBS trims S&P Global price target to $550 from $620, keeping a Buy rating.
- Concerns cited include AI impact on the sector and weaker Market Intelligence and Ratings outlooks.
- Q4 2025 revenue slightly beat expectations while EPS marginally missed forecasts; multiple analysts adjusted targets.
Sectors impacted
- Financial data and analytics providers
- Credit ratings and market intelligence services
- Broader financials and capital markets that depend on ratings and data