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Oil spikes over 1% as Israel intensifies attacks

Trends & Analysis
News

Oil surges over 3% on elevated Middle East tensions

News

Broadcom stock tanks 13% despite record Q2

News

Gold prices rise on easing Middle East tensions

News

Japan’s Nikkei 225 hits record high

News

HPE stock jumps 28% on Q2 beat, boom in AI business

News

Oil spikes over 1% as Israel intensifies attacks

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Standard and Poors definition

Standard and Poors (S&P) is one of the main ratings agencies, alongside Moody’s and Fitch. They are collectively known as the ‘big three’, and are used worldwide to determine the creditworthiness of bonds and other securities. Standard and Poors is also known for publishing the S&P500, the best known general measure of the American equity market, an index with the 500 largest US companies by market capitalisation.

 

Credit ratings

S&P is one of three main providers of credit ratings, which they offer for a wide range of domestic and international bonds. These ratings run from AAA to D, with + or – symbols to indicate borderline cases. AAA represents the most creditworthy debt, such as short-term treasury bills, whilst a bond with a rating of D would be in default. Bonds rated BBB or above (AAA, AA, A and BBB, including any with +/-, are considered investment grade, while those rated BB or below (BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D) are considered ‘speculative’ – or in the market, junk bonds.

 

S&P 500

The other best known activity of Standard and Poors is publishing the S&P500, an equity index made up of the largest 500 US companies by market capitalisation. S&P500 tracking funds are some of the most popular passive investment products available, so inclusion or exclusion in the list is a matter of the utmost importance to the businesses concerned.

Start trading with ADSS

ADSS offers a range of global markets for traders, with opportunities in indices, commodities, forex, equities and more. We also feature tutorials, how-to guides, and weekly webinars to help you navigate the financial markets and find better trading opportunities. You can start trading and investing online by opening a live trading or demo trading account.

 

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ADSS is an execution only service provider and does not provide advice. ADSS may publish general market commentary from time to time. Where it does, the material published does not constitute advice, or a solicitation, or a recommendation to a transaction in any financial instrument. ADSS accepts no responsibility for any use of the content presented and any consequences of that use. No representation or warranty is given as to the completeness of this information. Anyone acting on the information provided does so at their own risk.