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Daily Update — September 28, 2026

Resilience as a Framework; Europe’s Q4 Outlook; and Energy Flexibility in Asia

Today is Monday, September 28, 2026, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.

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Sustainability

Resilience as a framework for sustainability

 

Around the world, one word is appearing with increasing frequency in business circles: Resilience. It can mean different things to different people, much like the word “sustainability.” S&P Global Sustainable1 sees resilience as a simple concept: Creating a strategy that can withstand disruptions and allow an entity to thrive long term.

 

Sustainability in 2026 is a story of resilience — how stakeholders balance urgent and sometimes competing priorities in the face of rapid change. The term has become a mainstay in corporate leadership communication as companies seek stability in an environment of disruption. Analysis of earnings call transcripts shows that mentions of the terms "ESG," "sustainability" and "resilience" have evolved. Among US-listed companies, mentions of “ESG” have dropped after peaking in early 2021. Mentions of "sustainability" peaked at the start of 2022 and have tapered, but remain high. "Resilience" is on the rise, creeping back toward its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic — another period of massive disruption.

Economy

Economic Outlook Europe Q4 2026: Resilient Demand Meets Persistent Pressure

 

Resilient demand is lifting S&P Global Ratings’ 2026 growth expectations, but inflation pressure and higher rates persist. S&P Global Ratings expects the eurozone and UK economies to grow by 0.9% and 1.3%, respectively, in 2026, and by 1.1% in 2027. It has revised growth higher for 2026, while the outlook for later years remains broadly unchanged. S&P Global Ratings expects slightly lower inflation in 2026 and higher inflation in 2027 and 2028 than previously estimated.

 

Second-quarter eurozone GDP rose 0.6% quarter over quarter, in contrast with the predicted mild contraction in the wake of the energy price shock. Demand stemmed in part from stronger consumer spending despite weaker purchasing power, apparently financed by a sizable savings drawdown. It also reflects renewed volatility in Irish GDP linked to multinational activity and the rebound in net exports, particularly in aeronautics, but also in pharma and chemical products linked to expectations of changes in US trade tariffs. Meanwhile, domestic demand in the UK proved resilient, with GDP up 0.4% in the second quarter.

Global Trade

Listen: Asia eyes energy supply flexibility, shipping alternatives

 

Asia's energy markets are navigating heightened geopolitical risk, vulnerable maritime chokepoints, shifting trade flows and growing uncertainty over supply security. Discussions at S&P Global Energy’s Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) in Singapore highlighted how refiners, traders, shipowners and policymakers are reassessing sourcing strategies, freight exposure and the role of trusted price benchmarks.

 

In this episode of the "Oil Markets" podcast from Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, Asia Energy Editor Sambit Mohanty discussed takeaways from APPEC with Bao Ying Ng, global director for strategic engagements at S&P Global Energy; Benjamin Tang, head of liquid bulk at S&P Global Commodities at Sea; and Jonathan Nonis, associate editorial director for Asian oil products at S&P Global Energy.

In case you missed it

  • The US and China have agreed to extend their trade truce until Jan. 10, 2027, as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington for a third summit with US President Donald Trump on Sept. 24-25, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told the media.
  • S&P Global Flash PMI® data indicated a further strong expansion in output across Japan’s private sector in September, with the pace of expansion cooling slightly but remaining among the fastest seen in recent years.
  • The median funded ratio of US local government pensions rose to 83% in fiscal 2025 from 80% in fiscal 2024, spurred by strong market returns, contribution discipline and recent benefit reforms.

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