Insights

COP26 has made headlines, but the real debate is about the need for speed in translating pledges into action. Consensus credit data shows that nations with the most to lose from climate impact also have the least available resources to enact change – leaving the responsibility largely in the hands of developed economies with strong sovereign credit ratings.

Much of the Leisure Goods sector was hit hard by Covid and growing supply chain problems are a threat to the winter holiday season, and to toy sales in particular. This analysis examines credit risk trends for US and UK Leisure Goods companies from the lows of Covid to today.

Global food prices are at a 10-year high, pushed up by the pandemic. With climate change a growing issue, prices are likely to stay raised. Consensus credit data shows food producers have weathered COVID well, with many rated higher than the major credit rating agencies and continuing to improve.

With a potential UK interest rate hike on the cards, a growing number of central banks are seeing inflation as a key near-term risk to economic stability. With net credit upgrades currently in balance, and a growing number of countries imposing monetary tightening, there is a risk that the global net credit balance turns sharply negative.

The hospitality industry has suffered from prolonged closures, reduced capacity, supply issues and staff shortages during COVID, damaging an already low margin business. For the UK, Brexit has magnified these effects. Analysis of consensus credit data shows a disparity in recovery between the US and UK.

A potential US Government shutdown is focusing attention on Sovereign credit risk, with a risk to US Treasury bond payments. A missed payment would be a major market event, but the broader issue is how Governments around the world handle the cost of COVID. The latest consensus data examines credit risk trends for Global Sovereign Governments, plus compares consensus vs CRA ratings for 12 major economies.