MSCI Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2023

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MSCI Inc. (“MSCI” or the “Company”) (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community, today announced its financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2023 (“third quarter 2023”) and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (“nine months 2023”).

Financial and Operational Highlights for Third Quarter 2023

(Note: Unless otherwise noted, percentage and other changes are relative to the three months ended September 30, 2022 (“third quarter 2022”) and Run Rate percentage changes are relative to September 30, 2022).

• Operating revenues of $625.4 million, up 11.6%; Organic operating revenue growth of 10.9%
• Recurring subscription revenues up 10.7%; Asset-based fees up 12.3%
• Operating margin of 56.5%; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 61.8%
• Diluted EPS of $3.27, up 22.0%; Adjusted EPS of $3.45, up 21.1%
• Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth of 10.7%; Retention Rate of 95.4%
• In third quarter 2023 and through trade date of October 30, 2023, a total of $17.9 million or 38,263 shares were repurchased at an average repurchase price of $467.13
• Approximately $109.2 million in dividends were paid to shareholders in third quarter 2023; Cash dividend of $1.38 per share declared by MSCI Board of Directors for fourth quarter 2023

“During the third quarter, MSCI delivered impressive results in an uncertain environment, posting Adjusted EPS growth of 21.1%, revenue growth of 11.6%, and a retention rate of 95.4%. Index, our largest product line, continued to report double-digit subscription Run Rate growth and Climate achieved a Run Rate increase of nearly 50% across our product lines firm-wide. Meanwhile, our Analytics segment delivered a near-record retention rate of 95.1%,” said Henry A. Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI.

“We continue to benefit from MSCI’s resilient business model, underpinned by recurring revenues and mission-critical investment tools. Our recent acquisitions of Burgiss and Trove will help us further capture major industry trends and strengthen our ability to provide clients with market-leading portfolio solutions,” Mr. Fernandez added.

Third Quarter Consolidated Results

Operating Revenues: Operating revenues were $625.4 million, up 11.6%. Organic operating revenue growth was 10.9%. The $64.8 million increase was comprised of $44.8 million in higher recurring subscription revenues and $15.4 million in higher asset-based fees, as well as a $4.6 million increase in non-recurring revenues.

Run Rate and Retention Rate: Total Run Rate at September 30, 2023 was $2,468.4 million, up 12.0%. Recurring subscription Run Rate increased by $198.9 million, and asset-based fees Run Rate increased by $66.1 million. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth was 10.7%. Retention Rate in third quarter 2023 was 95.4%, compared to 96.4% in third quarter 2022.

Expenses: Total operating expenses were $272.1 million, up 8.4%. Adjusted EBITDA expenses were $239.2 million, up 8.9%, primarily reflecting higher compensation and incentive compensation expenses related to higher headcount to support business growth. Total operating expenses excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations (“ex-FX”) and adjusted EBITDA expenses ex-FX increased 6.4% and 6.7%, respectively.

Operating Income: Operating income was $353.3 million, up 14.1%. Operating income margin in third quarter 2023 was 56.5%, compared to 55.2% in third quarter 2022.

Headcount: As of September 30, 2023, headcount was 5,005 employees, with approximately 33.5% and approximately 66.5% of employees located in developed market and emerging market locations, respectively.

Other Expense (Income), Net: Other expense (income), net was $35.7 million, down 11.6% primarily driven by higher interest income, reflecting higher yields, and the impact of favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, partially offset by higher interest expense due to higher interest rates.

Income Taxes: The effective tax rate was 18.3% in the third quarter 2023 compared to 19.5% in third quarter 2022. The decrease was primarily related to favorable discrete prior-year items in the third quarter 2023.

Net Income: As a result of the factors described above, net income was $259.7 million, up 19.9%.

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $386.3 million, up 13.3%. Adjusted EBITDA margin in third quarter 2023 was 61.8%, compared to 60.8% in third quarter 2022.

Index Segment:

Table 1A: Results (unaudited)

Index operating revenues were $362.1 million, up 12.4%. The $39.9 million increase was driven by $20.9 million in higher recurring subscription revenues, $15.4 million in higher asset-based fees and $3.5 million in higher non-recurring revenues.

Growth in recurring subscription revenues was primarily driven by strong growth from market-cap weighted Index products.

Revenues from ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes, mainly driven by an increase in average AUM drove about three-fourths of the increase in revenues attributable to asset-based fees. Non-ETF indexed funds linked to MSCI indexes drove the balance of the increase, mainly driven by an increase in average AUM and average basis point fees, partially offset by lower revenues from exchange traded futures and options contracts linked to MSCI indexes, driven by lower volumes.

Index Run Rate as of September 30, 2023, was $1.4 billion, up 12.2%. The $150.7 million increase was comprised of a $84.5 million increase in recurring subscription Run Rate and a $66.1 million increase in asset-based fees Run Rate. The increase in recurring subscription Run Rate was primarily driven by growth from market cap-weighted products and custom Index products and special packages. The increase reflected growth across all regions and client segments. The increase in asset-based fees Run Rate primarily reflected higher AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes.

Analytics Segment:

Table 1B: Results (unaudited)

Analytics operating revenues were $154.3 million, up 6.5%. The $9.4 million increase was primarily driven by growth from recurring subscriptions related to both Equity Analytics and Multi-Asset Class products. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Analytics operating revenue growth was 6.6%.

Analytics Run Rate as of September 30, 2023, was $639.5 million, up 7.0%. The increase of $41.7 million was driven by growth in Multi-Asset Class and Equity Analytics products, and reflected growth across all regions. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Analytics Run Rate growth was 6.2%.

ESG and Climate Segment:

Table 1C: Results (unaudited)

ESG and Climate operating revenues were $73.0 million, up 26.8%. The $15.4 million increase was primarily driven by strong growth from recurring subscriptions related to Ratings which drove about 44% of the increase and the balance from Climate and Screening products. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, ESG and Climate operating revenue growth was 20.3%.

ESG and Climate Run Rate as of September 30, 2023, was $297.3 million, up 25.0%. The $59.4 million increase primarily reflects strong growth from Ratings, Screening and Climate products with contributions across all regions and client segments. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, ESG and Climate Run Rate growth was 21.9%.

All Other – Private Assets Segment:

Table 1D: Results (unaudited)

All Other – Private Assets operating revenues, which reflect the Real Assets operating segment, were $36.0 million, up 0.3%. The increase was primarily driven by growth from recurring subscriptions related to Index Intel, Property Intel and Climate Insights products, as well as favorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, offset by a one-time revenue catch-up in the prior period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, All Other – Private Assets operating revenues decreased 1.3%.

All Other – Private Assets Run Rate, which reflects the Real Assets operating segment, was $150.7 million as of September 30, 2023, up 9.7%, driven by growth in the Index Intel, RCA and Performance Insights products. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, All Other – Private Assets Run Rate growth was 7.5%.

Select Balance Sheet Items and Capital Allocation

Cash Balances and Outstanding Debt: Cash and cash equivalents was $928.6 million as of September 30, 2023. MSCI typically seeks to maintain minimum cash balances globally of approximately $225.0 million to $275.0 million for general operating purposes.

Total principal amounts of debt outstanding as of September 30, 2023, were $4.5 billion. The total debt to net income ratio (based on trailing twelve months net income) was 4.7x. The total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (based on trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA) was 3.1x.

MSCI seeks to maintain total debt to adjusted EBITDA in a target range of 3.0x to 3.5x.

Capex and Cash Flow: Capex was $21.0 million, and cash provided by operating activities declined by 9.9% to $291.1 million, primarily reflecting higher tax payments and higher operating expenses partially offset by higher cash collections from clients. Free cash flow for third quarter 2023 was down 11.4% to $270.2 million.

Share Count and Share Repurchases: Weighted average diluted shares outstanding were 79.5 million in third quarter 2023, down 1.7% year-over-year. Total share repurchases during the quarter were $17.9 million or 38,263 shares at an average repurchase price of $467.13. Total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2023 were 79.1 million. A total of approximately $0.8 billion remains on the outstanding share repurchase authorization as of trade date of October 30, 2023.

Dividends: Approximately $109.2 million in dividends were paid to shareholders in third quarter 2023. On October 30, 2023, the MSCI Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $1.38 per share for fourth quarter 2023, payable on November 30, 2023, to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on November 9, 2023.

Full-Year 2023 Guidance

MSCI’s guidance for the year ending December 31, 2023 (“Full-Year 2023”) is based on assumptions about a number of factors, in particular related to macroeconomic factors and the capital markets. These assumptions are subject to uncertainty, and actual results for the year could differ materially from our current guidance, including as a result of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. See “Forward-Looking Statements” below.

(1) A portion of our annual interest expense is from our variable rate Term Loan A facility, while the majority is from fixed rate senior unsecured notes. Changes to the secured overnight funding rate (“SOFR”) can cause our annual interest expense on the Term Loan A facility to vary, and changes in our indebtedness levels would cause our interest expense to vary.

Conference Call Information

MSCI’s senior management will review the third quarter 2023 results on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. To listen to the live event via webcast, visit the events and presentations section of MSCI’s Investor Relations website, https://ir.msci.com/events-and-presentations, or via telephone, dial 1-800-715-9871 conference ID 6401331 within the United States. International callers may dial 1-646-307-1963 conference ID 6401331. The teleconference will also be webcast with an accompanying slide presentation that can be accessed through MSCI’s Investor Relations website.

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com. MSCI#IR

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, MSCI’s Full-Year 2023 guidance. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond MSCI’s control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 10, 2023 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCI’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this earnings release reflects MSCI’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCI’s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Website and Social Media Disclosure

MSCI uses its Investor Relations homepage, Corporate Responsibility homepage and corporate X (formerly Twitter) account (@MSCI_Inc) as channels of distribution of company information. The information MSCI posts through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following MSCI’s press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about MSCI when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts” section of MSCI’s Investor Relations homepage at http://ir.msci.com/email-alerts. The contents of MSCI’s website, including its quarterly updates, blog, podcasts and social media channels are not, however, incorporated by reference into this earnings release.

Notes Regarding the Use of Operating Metrics

MSCI has presented supplemental key operating metrics as part of this earnings release, including Retention Rate, Run Rate, subscription sales, subscription cancellations and non-recurring sales.

Retention Rate is an important metric because subscription cancellations decrease our Run Rate and ultimately our future operating revenues over time. The annual Retention Rate represents the retained subscription Run Rate (subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the fiscal year less actual cancels during the year) as a percentage of the subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Retention Rate for a non-annual period is calculated by annualizing the cancellations for which we have received a notice of termination or for which we believe there is an intention not to renew or discontinue the subscription during the non-annual period, and we believe that such notice or intention evidences the client’s final decision to terminate or not renew the applicable agreement, even though such notice is not effective until a later date. This annualized cancellation figure is then divided by the subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the fiscal year to calculate a cancellation rate. This cancellation rate is then subtracted from 100% to derive the annualized Retention Rate for the period.

Retention Rate is computed by operating segment on a product/service-by-product/service basis. In general, if a client reduces the number of products or services to which it subscribes within a segment, or switches between products or services within a segment, we treat it as a cancellation for purposes of calculating our Retention Rate except in the case of a product or service switch that management considers to be a replacement product or service. In those replacement cases, only the net change to the client subscription, if a decrease, is reported as a cancel. In the Analytics and the ESG and Climate operating segments, substantially all product or service switches are treated as replacement products or services and netted in this manner, while in our Index and Real Assets operating segments, product or service switches that are treated as replacement products or services and receive netting treatment occur only in certain limited instances. In addition, we treat any reduction in fees resulting from a down-sell of the same product or service as a cancellation to the extent of the reduction. We do not calculate Retention Rate for that portion of our Run Rate attributable to assets in index-linked investment products or futures and options contracts, in each case, linked to our indexes.

Run Rate estimates at a particular point in time the annualized value of the recurring revenues under our client license agreements (“Client Contracts”) for the next 12 months, assuming all Client Contracts that come up for renewal, or reach the end of the committed subscription period, are renewed and assuming then-current currency exchange rates, subject to the adjustments and exclusions described below. For any Client Contract where fees are linked to an investment product’s assets or trading volume/fees, the Run Rate calculation reflects, for ETFs, the market value on the last trading day of the period, for futures and options, the most recent quarterly volumes and/or reported exchange fees, and for other non-ETF products, the most recent client-reported assets. Run Rate does not include fees associated with “one-time” and other non-recurring transactions. In addition, we add to Run Rate the annualized fee value of recurring new sales, whether to existing or new clients, when we execute Client Contracts, even though the license start date, and associated revenue recognition, may not be effective until a later date.

Contacts

MSCI Inc. Contacts

Investor Inquiries
[email protected]
Jeremy Ulan +1 646 778 4184

[email protected]
Jisoo Suh + 1 917 825 7111

Media Inquiries
[email protected]
Sam Wang +1 212 804 5244

Melanie Blanco +1 212 981 1049

Tina Tan + 852 2844 9320

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