New York, Feb 15, 2026, 14:37 EST — Market closed.
- S&P Global stock wrapped up Friday 3.3% higher, ending the session at $409.54.
- This month, the stock’s been on a wild ride, with investors trying to price in what AI disruption could mean for data and analytics companies.
- Looking ahead, traders will be watching for the Fed minutes on Wednesday. Then, on Friday, core PCE inflation, U.S. GDP numbers, and S&P Global’s flash PMI all hit the tape.
S&P Global Inc (SPGI) climbed 3.3% Friday, closing at $409.54 and pushing its rebound further ahead of the long U.S. holiday weekend.
After a tough February that hit market-data and analytics stocks, traders leaned into the so-called “AI scare” trade, sending names across sectors lower. “There’s this idea that AI is somehow going to replace built-out models in the near term,” said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth. Reuters
S&P Global finds itself in a tricky spot: investors are still sorting out the boundary between cyclical and structural trends following its latest earnings. This week’s packed U.S. calendar won’t make things easier. The market will be watching Wednesday’s Fed minutes, then Friday’s PCE inflation figures—the Fed’s preferred measure.
Trading was brisk on Friday, with S&P Global seeing volume spike to roughly 4.7 million shares—more than double its 50-day average of 2.2 million. Still, shares sit around 29% under their 52-week high. Moody’s and MSCI finished the session higher as well, according to MarketWatch data.
Stocks lacked a strong push from the broader market. The S&P 500 managed a narrow 0.05% gain, while the Nasdaq slid 0.22%. U.S. inflation numbers landed softer than forecast, which ticked up bets on a possible June rate cut. Still, “any whiff of optimism continues to get rejected,” said Michael James, managing director at Rosenblatt Securities. Reuters
S&P Global’s last major move hit earlier this week: the company projected 2026 adjusted profit per share between $19.40 and $19.65. That undercuts the $19.94 average analysts were looking for, LSEG data via Reuters shows. At RBC Capital Markets, analysts flagged a slowdown in transaction revenue from the ratings segment, plus softer revenue and margins in market intelligence, as key factors shaping the outlook.
Investors digging through filings after the recent selloff found a slight update. A Feb. 13 Form 4 revealed SVP and controller Christopher Craig picked up 768 shares from restricted stock unit vesting the previous day. Out of those, 277 shares were held back for taxes, bringing Craig’s directly owned total to 9,842 shares.
The company pointed to a subdued corporate update from its ratings division. S&P Global Ratings picked up Ratings Provider of the Year honors at the 2026 Private Equity Wire European Awards. “Consistent and reliable credit analysis has never been more critical,” chief commercial officer Lynn Maxwell said. News Release Archive
Yet the rally’s got nothing new from companies to back it up, which makes it a shaky proposition. Should AI jitters resurface—or if capital markets hit a lull post-holiday—there’s a chance investors shift back toward the bear case for fee-sensitive firms exposed to issuance, trading, and subscription flows.
U.S. markets are closed Monday, so traders’ focus shifts to Tuesday to see if the two-day rally extends—and if names like Moody’s hold steady with the pack.
Next up, mark the calendar for Feb. 18, when the Fed minutes drop. Just two days later, Feb. 20, it’s a full slate: core PCE inflation, U.S. GDP numbers, and S&P Global’s flash PMI surveys. That last one—a quick, survey-based snapshot of business activity—sometimes jolts rates and risk sentiment.
SPGI’s flash PMI lands Friday, Feb. 20—call it the next real test. Either it lines up with the sluggish growth story that’s been behind this month’s selloff, or it could shake things up again as February winds down.
