MSCI Inc. (MSCI): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Information


A Brief History of MSCI Inc.

Company Overview

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. The company specializes in providing investment decision support tools and services, including indices, analytics, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI reported a net income of $280.9 million, compared to $259.7 million for the same period in 2023, reflecting an increase of 8.2%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net income was $803.6 million, up from $745.2 million in 2023, representing a 7.8% increase.

Period Net Income (in thousands) Change (%)
Q3 2024 $280,901 8.2%
Q3 2023 $259,659 -
9M 2024 $803,613 7.8%
9M 2023 $745,212 -

Revenue Streams

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, total operating revenues reached $724.7 million, marking a 15.9% increase from $625.4 million in the prior year. The growth was driven by increases in all major segments, particularly in the Index and ESG & Climate segments.

Segment Q3 2024 Revenue (in thousands) Q3 2023 Revenue (in thousands) Change (%)
Index $404,882 $362,122 11.8%
Analytics $172,376 $154,268 11.7%
ESG and Climate $83,643 $73,038 14.5%
All Other - Private Assets $63,804 $36,011 77.2%

Stock Performance and Shareholder Returns

MSCI has consistently returned value to its shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The declared dividend for the third quarter of 2024 was $1.60 per share, totaling $126.2 million for the quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total dividends declared amounted to $382.9 million.

Quarter Dividend per Share Total Declared (in thousands)
Q1 2024 $1.60 $129,444
Q2 2024 $1.60 $127,304
Q3 2024 $1.60 $126,185
Total 2024 $4.80 $382,933

Acquisitions and Growth Strategy

In late 2023 and early 2024, MSCI expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, including:

  • The Burgiss Group, LLC for $696.8 million in cash.
  • Trove Research Ltd for $37.5 million.
  • Fabric RQ, Inc. for $16.1 million.
  • Foxberry Ltd for $42.6 million.
Acquisition Date Purchase Price (in thousands)
The Burgiss Group, LLC October 2, 2023 $696,800
Trove Research Ltd November 1, 2023 $37,465
Fabric RQ, Inc. January 2, 2024 $16,105
Foxberry Ltd April 16, 2024 $42,568

Debt and Financial Position

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI had total debt of $4.5 billion, comprised of senior unsecured notes and revolving credit facilities. The company has maintained a solid credit profile with an effective interest rate of 6.45% on its revolving loans.

Debt Type Principal Amount (in thousands) Carrying Value (in thousands)
Senior Unsecured Notes $4,200,000 $4,184,772
Revolving Credit Facility $311,875 $311,875
Total Debt $4,511,875 $4,496,647

Market Position

MSCI continues to hold a strong position in the market, with the average value of assets under management (AUM) in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indices reaching $300.5 billion for Q3 2024, marking a 21.8% increase year-over-year.

Period AUM (in billions) Change (%)
Q3 2024 $300.5 21.8%
Q3 2023 $246.0 -

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, MSCI aims to enhance its product offerings and expand its market presence through continued investment in technology and strategic acquisitions. The company's focus on ESG and analytics is expected to drive future growth and profitability.



A Who Owns MSCI Inc. (MSCI)

Major Shareholders

As of 2024, the ownership structure of MSCI Inc. is characterized by a mix of institutional and individual investors. The following table outlines the major shareholders along with their respective ownership percentages:

Shareholder Ownership Percentage Shares Owned
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.5% 11,441,036
BlackRock, Inc. 8.1% 10,869,523
State Street Corporation 5.5% 7,401,239
FMR LLC (Fidelity) 4.9% 6,575,234
MSCI Inc. (Treasury Stock) 5.3% 7,067,210
Other Institutional Investors 58.7% 78,000,000
Individual Shareholders 8.0% 10,600,000

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI Inc. reported a market capitalization of approximately $39.1 billion. The stock price was trading at around $500.52 per share.

Recent Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, MSCI Inc. posted a net income of $803.6 million, with earnings per share (EPS) of $10.18. The total operating revenues increased to $2.11 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 14.9%.

Financial Metric Value
Net Income (9M 2024) $803.6 million
Earnings Per Share (EPS) $10.18
Total Operating Revenues $2.11 billion
Market Capitalization $39.1 billion
Stock Price (Sept 30, 2024) $500.52

Ownership Changes and Stock Repurchase Program

MSCI Inc. has been active in its stock repurchase program, with a total repurchase of $511.2 million worth of shares in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The average price paid per share during this period was approximately $500.52.

Repurchase Details Value
Total Shares Repurchased 880,000
Average Price Paid Per Share $500.52
Total Value of Shares Repurchased $440.3 million

Dividends

In 2024, MSCI Inc. declared dividends of $1.60 per share for each quarter, resulting in a total dividend payout of $4.80 per share for the year.

Dividend Information Value
Dividends Declared Per Share $4.80
Total Dividends Declared $382.9 million
Dividends Distributed $384.1 million


MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Mission Statement

Mission Statement Overview

The mission of MSCI Inc. is to enable investors to make better decisions by providing the essential tools and insights needed to understand the complex financial landscape. The company aims to deliver innovative solutions that support investment processes, enhance portfolio management, and improve risk assessment.

Core Values

  • Integrity: Upholding the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct.
  • Innovation: Continuously seeking new ideas and solutions to meet the changing needs of clients.
  • Collaboration: Fostering teamwork across the organization to achieve common goals.
  • Client Focus: Prioritizing client needs and striving for excellence in service delivery.

Key Financial Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI reported the following financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Operating Revenues $724,705,000 $625,439,000 15.9%
Recurring Subscriptions Revenue $536,622,000 $464,997,000 15.4%
Asset-Based Fees Revenue $168,622,000 $141,066,000 19.5%
Net Income $280,901,000 $259,659,000 8.2%
Adjusted EBITDA $314,148,000 $277,672,000 13.1%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) 77.6% 76.7% 1.2%

Subscription Growth and Retention Rates

MSCI's subscription-based model is a significant driver of its revenue. The company reported the following subscription growth and retention rates:

Segment Retention Rate Q3 2024 Retention Rate Q3 2023
Index 95.4% 96.2%
Analytics 93.8% 95.1%
ESG and Climate 93.0% 96.0%
All Other - Private Assets 92.7% 91.3%
Total 94.2% 95.4%

Recent Acquisitions

On October 2, 2023, MSCI acquired the remaining 66.4% interest in The Burgiss Group, LLC for $696.8 million. This acquisition enhances MSCI's capabilities in private asset analytics and solutions.

Stock Performance and Shareholder Returns

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI declared dividends totaling $1.60 per common share. The total amount declared for 2024 is as follows:

Period Dividends Declared ($) Dividends Distributed ($)
Q1 2024 129,444,000 131,378,000
Q2 2024 127,304,000 126,958,000
Q3 2024 126,185,000 125,763,000
Total 2024 382,933,000 384,099,000

Conclusion

MSCI Inc. continues to strengthen its market position through strategic acquisitions, robust subscription growth, and a commitment to delivering high-quality insights and analytics to investors globally.



How MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Works

Company Overview

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. The company is well-known for its indices, portfolio risk, and performance analytics, providing data and insights to institutional investors worldwide.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI reported the following financial results:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Net Income (in thousands) $280,901 $259,659 8.2%
Operating Revenues (in thousands) $724,705 $625,439 15.9%
Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) $450,702 $386,289 16.7%
Basic EPS $3.58 $3.28 9.1%
Diluted EPS $3.57 $3.27 9.2%

Revenue Breakdown

MSCI's revenues are categorized into three main types: recurring subscriptions, asset-based fees, and non-recurring revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the breakdown was as follows:

Revenue Type Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Recurring Subscriptions $536,622 $464,997 15.4%
Asset-Based Fees $168,622 $141,066 19.5%
Non-Recurring $19,461 $19,376 0.4%
Total Operating Revenues $724,705 $625,439 15.9%

Assets Under Management (AUM)

As of September 30, 2024, MSCI reported the following AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes:

Period Ended AUM (in billions)
March 31, 2024 $1,582.6
June 30, 2024 $1,631.9
September 30, 2024 $1,761.8

Segment Performance

MSCI operates through several segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other - Private Assets. The following table summarizes the segment performance for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

Segment Operating Revenues (in thousands) Change (%)
Index $404,882 11.8%
Analytics $172,376 11.7%
ESG and Climate $83,643 14.5%
All Other - Private Assets $63,804 77.2%

Operating Expenses

MSCI's operating expenses are categorized into cost of revenues, selling and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the total adjusted EBITDA expenses were:

Expense Type Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Adjusted EBITDA Expenses $274,003 $239,150 14.6%

Retention Rates

The retention rates across MSCI’s segments for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were as follows:

Segment Retention Rate (%)
Index 95.4%
Analytics 93.8%
ESG and Climate 93.0%
All Other - Private Assets 92.7%

Cash Flows

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, MSCI generated cash flows as follows:

Cash Flow Type Cash Flow (in thousands)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $1,070,994
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities ($107,522)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities ($926,125)


How MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

MSCI Inc. generates revenue through various streams, primarily categorized into recurring subscriptions, asset-based fees, and non-recurring revenues. As of September 30, 2024, the breakdown of operating revenues is as follows:

Revenue Type Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) % Change YTD 2024 (in thousands) YTD 2023 (in thousands) % Change
Recurring subscriptions $536,622 $464,997 15.4% $1,571,146 $1,365,936 15.0%
Asset-based fees $168,622 $141,066 19.5% $482,162 $412,354 16.9%
Non-recurring $19,461 $19,376 0.4% $59,311 $60,524 (2.0%)
Total operating revenues $724,705 $625,439 15.9% $2,112,619 $1,838,814 14.9%

Recurring Subscriptions

Recurring subscriptions form the core of MSCI's revenue model, accounting for a significant portion of total revenues. These subscriptions are driven by various products, including market cap-weighted indexes, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) products, and analytics services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, recurring subscription revenues increased by 15.0% compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to strong growth in private assets and ESG-related products.

Asset-Based Fees

MSCI earns asset-based fees from funds that track its indexes. This revenue stream is closely tied to the assets under management (AUM) in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other investment products linked to MSCI indexes. As of September 30, 2024, MSCI reported a significant increase in asset-based fees, up 19.5% for Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023. The growth is attributed to an increase in average AUM, with the average value of AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes reaching $1,761.8 billion, a rise of 21.8% from the previous quarter.

Non-Recurring Revenues

Non-recurring revenues include one-time fees for services such as consulting and implementation. Although this revenue stream showed a slight increase of 0.4% in Q3 2024, it has experienced a decline of 2.0% year-to-date compared to 2023, reflecting the volatility of such services as they depend on specific client engagements and projects.

Segment Performance

MSCI operates through various segments, each contributing to its overall revenue. The following table outlines the performance of key segments for Q3 2024:

Segment Operating Revenues (Q3 2024, in thousands) Operating Revenues (Q3 2023, in thousands) % Change
Index $404,882 $362,122 11.8%
Analytics $172,376 $154,268 11.7%
ESG and Climate $83,643 $73,038 14.5%
All Other - Private Assets $63,804 $36,011 77.2%

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is a key performance metric for MSCI, reflecting its operational profitability. For Q3 2024, MSCI reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $450,702, an increase of 16.7% from Q3 2023, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 62.2%. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA is driven by higher revenues across all segments, coupled with controlled operating expenses.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, MSCI reported a net income of $280,901, a growth of 8.2% from the same period in 2023. The earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 2024 were $3.57 (diluted), compared to $3.27 in Q3 2023, reflecting the company's strong financial performance and effective cost management strategies.

Conclusion

MSCI's diverse revenue model, anchored by recurring subscriptions and asset-based fees, positions it well for sustained growth. The company's focus on expanding its ESG offerings and private asset solutions further enhances its revenue potential in the evolving investment landscape.

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Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of MSCI Inc. (MSCI)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View MSCI Inc. (MSCI)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.