Q1 2022 Quarterly Review: COVID Recovery, Inflation and Ukraine Invasion
The latest whitepaper from Credit Benchmark illustrates the global credit trends in the first quarter of 2022. With global growth rebounding strongly at the start of 2022, consensus credit trends mirrored this recovery across a broad range of sectors. But as inflation grows and interest rates look likely to jump, will heavily indebted companies drive credit defaults higher?
Earth Day: Ukraine War Pushes Energy Efficiency Rethink
The Ukraine war has seen countries scrambling to secure energy supplies, boosting the need for renewable sources. But with renewable energy paradoxically dependent on the increasingly volatile climate, diversity in technologies is critical to ensure stable supplies from renewable sources. Credit Consensus Ratings are available for a variety of wind and solar firms, with this report showing some divergences in credit quality.
Not Immune: Fed Hikes Will Hit Some Key UK Sectors
The Fed is taking an aggressive approach to rising inflation with predictions of imminent rate hikes, and some UK sectors will feel the flow-on impact harder than others. This report shows the historical impact of Fed rates, among other factors, on the credit quality of UK Corporate sectors.
US Construction & Materials: Sharp Credit Improvement May Stall on Ukraine Impact
The global construction industry is facing renewed challenges: just as the COVID-driven labour and materials shortages showed signs of easing, the Ukraine war is hitting the industry in two specific areas: steel and glass. But not all firms are affected equally – this report analyses credit improvement in US Construction & Materials companies.
US Office Market: Recovery From Pandemic Slump
Flexible-office operators providing short-term leases suffered more during the pandemic than traditional office lessors. However, a new hybrid working model is seeing demand for flexible, short-term offices and meeting rooms increase once more. This report analyses the credit performance of US Industrial & Office REITs against global trends.
Global REITS: Slow to Recover After Major Pandemic Downgrade
The “race for space” is driving up land prices while supply chain issues are pushing up the cost of newbuilds. Cities are slowly returning to some form of normality but existing offices are still operating under capacity and new offices are struggling to find tenants. This report analyses the credit profile of global Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) against global Financials and Corporates.
Russia – Ukraine Credit Shock Hits European Food Producers
The war in Ukraine has already had a dramatic impact on the global food trade with Russian aggression damaging global food supplies, and the fertiliser industry is also due to feel the pinch. EU Food Product firms are taking the hit, with a 4% drop in credit quality in the last month. Consensus data will continue to track the effect of the war on sectors and companies, rated and unrated, across the globe.
Gender Diversity and UK Corporate Financial Health: Stronger Credits Have More Female Board Members
In 2011, FTSE350 boards were 91% male – since then, a target of 33% average female representation has been achieved. Corporate diversity has been proven to improve performance, and consensus credit data shows that firms with more women on their board are also a better credit risk. This report analyses credit performance for companies that do and do not meet the 33% target.
Gold Mining: Russian Invasion Squeezes Supplies and Boosts Demand
Russia is one of the world’s largest gold producers, and sanctions and inflation fears have seen the price of gold and other precious metals spike in the past month. Outside of Russia, many suppliers may have their eureka moment as prices continue to rise. This report compares credit consensus ratings to equity prices for some of the largest global mining companies.
VIX, Credit Spreads and Consensus Credit Risk
Market risk indicators are increasingly important amid global tensions and interest rate volatility. Consensus credit data offers a view beyond the VIX index and credit spreads – and recent data suggests financial institutions see the current problems translating into higher default rates.
