Welcome to The Daily Intel, a roundup of exclusive news and analysis from S&P Global Market Intelligence, curated by our journalists.
Editor's Pick
Community banks combining in MOEs to gain scale amid tough operating environment
Despite an M&A drought during most of the year, four community bank mergers of equals have been announced in 2020, up from three in 2019.
All four MOEs were in discussions before President Donald Trump on March 13 declared a national emergency in the U.S. related to COVID-19, but the pandemic intensified their reasons for combining.
Financials
UK banks can afford to pay dividends but doing so might not be easy
British banks might be able to afford to pay dividends in 2021 but in the wake of regulatory easing and massive support from the Bank of England such payouts could prove politically fraught.
After losing money 10 of last 12 years, Florida panhandle bank fails
Fort Walton Beach-based First City Bank of Florida became the third failure of 2020 on Oct. 19. Twice in the last two years, First City had agreed to be acquired only to see the deal fall through.
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
Pandemic continues to weigh on ad agencies, though some Q3 improvement expected
Europe's Publicis Groupe SA, the first of the major agency holding companies to report quarterly results, registered a 9.1% decline in revenue to $2.34 billion for the period ended Sept.30, with organic revenue off 5.6%, versus a 13.0% decrease in the second quarter.
Netflix's streaming dominance seen outweighing risk of churn
Jeffries Equity Research said that it expected the company to initiate a price hike in the foreseeable future, which could add $500 million to $1 billion in 2021 revenue despite increased churn.
Energy and Utilities
Concho acreage offers Conoco 'a crown jewel of the Permian' without much premium
The announced merger of ConocoPhillips and Concho Resources on Oct. 19 met with analyst support as observers said the deal works well for both sides.
Pace of energy transition, innovation on the ballot in presidential election
The U.S. appears headed for a clean energy future, regardless of who sits in the White House. But the pace of the energy transition, and presumably ensuing climate change impacts, could look dramatically different depending on the victor of the Nov. 3 presidential election.
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