Standard & Poor's

Standard & Poor's (S&P) is a financial services company known for providing credit ratings, research, and analysis on various investments, particularly stocks and bonds. Its most recognized product is the S&P 500 index, which tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest U.S. companies, serving as a benchmark for the overall market. Investors use S&P’s ratings to assess the risk of investment options, as higher ratings typically indicate lower risk. Overall, S&P plays a crucial role in helping investors make informed decisions by providing valuable financial information and insights.