MSCI Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter and Nine Months 2025

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, 2025 (“third quarter 2025”) and nine months ended September 30, 2025 (“nine months 2025”).

Financial and Operational Highlights for Third Quarter 2025

(Note: Unless otherwise noted, percentage and other changes are relative to the three months ended September 30, 2024 (“third quarter 2024”) and Run Rate percentage changes are relative to September 30, 2024).

• Operating revenues of $793.4 million, up 9.5%; Organic operating revenue growth of 9.0%
• Recurring subscription revenues up 7.9%; Asset-based fees up 17.1%
• Operating margin of 56.4%; Adjusted EBITDA margin of 62.3%
• Diluted EPS of $4.25, up 19.0%; Adjusted EPS of $4.47, up 15.8%
• Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth of 7.4%; Retention Rate of 94.7%
• In third quarter 2025 and through October 27, 2025, a total of $1,248.9 million or 2,230,397 shares were repurchased at an average repurchase price of $559.95
• Approximately $137.4 million in dividends were paid to shareholders in third quarter 2025; Cash dividend of $1.80 per share declared by MSCI Board of Directors for fourth quarter 2025
• On October 25, 2025, the MSCI Board authorized a new $3.0 billion share repurchase program

“In the third quarter, MSCI delivered strong financial and sales performance, including record Q3 recurring sales in our two largest product lines — Index and Analytics — and also with hedge funds and banks. In addition, we achieved a record asset-based-fee run rate driven by 17 percent growth, which reflected record AUM levels of about $6.4 trillion combined in ETF and non-ETF products linked to our indexes,” said Henry A. Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI.

“Our Q3 results affirm that MSCI’s indexes, analytics, and data are foundational to investment portfolios around the world, demonstrating our role as a global standard setter. Meanwhile, our expansion with newer client segments highlights the benefits of our relentless innovation. By enhancing our focus on individual segments, we will further accelerate innovation across product lines and asset classes,” Fernandez added.

Third Quarter Consolidated Results

Operating Revenues: Operating revenues were $793.4 million, up 9.5%. Organic operating revenue growth was 9.0%. The $68.7 million increase was the result of $42.4 million in higher recurring subscription revenues and $28.9 million in higher asset-based fees, partially offset by a $2.6 million decrease in non-recurring revenues.

Run Rate and Retention Rate: Total Run Rate at September 30, 2025 was $3,186.5 million, up 10.1%. Recurring subscription Run Rate increased by $176.0 million, and asset-based fees Run Rate increased by $116.3 million. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth was 7.4%. Retention Rate in third quarter 2025 was 94.7%, compared to 94.2% in third quarter 2024.

Expenses: Total operating expenses were $345.7 million, up 6.9%. Adjusted EBITDA expenses were $299.0 million, up 9.1%, primarily reflecting higher compensation and benefits costs as a result of increased headcount costs as well as higher severance costs. The increase was also driven by non-compensation costs, primarily reflecting higher information technology costs.

Total operating expenses excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations (“ex-FX”) and adjusted EBITDA expenses ex-FX increased 6.1% and 8.2%, respectively.

Operating Income: Operating income was $447.7 million, up 11.6%. Operating income margin in third quarter 2025 was 56.4%, compared to 55.4% in third quarter 2024.

Headcount: As of September 30, 2025, we had 6,253 employees, reflecting a 2.2% increase, with 30% and 70% of employees located in developed market and emerging market locations, respectively.

Other Expense (Income), Net: Other expense (income), net was $51.2 million, up 15.3%, primarily driven by higher interest expenses reflecting higher debt levels.

Income Taxes: The effective tax rate was 17.9% in the third quarter 2025 compared to 21.3% in third quarter 2024. The effective tax rate was primarily driven by favorable prior-year items in the current year, compared to unfavorable prior-year items in the preceding year.

Net Income: As a result of the factors described above, net income was $325.4 million, up 15.8%.

Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA was $494.4 million, up 9.7%. Adjusted EBITDA margin in third quarter 2025 was 62.3%, compared to 62.2% in third quarter 2024.

Index Segment:

Table 1A: Results (unaudited)

Index operating revenues were $451.2 million, up 11.4%. The $46.3 million increase was primarily driven by $28.9 million in higher asset-based fees and $18.6 million in higher recurring subscription revenues. Organic operating revenue growth for Index was 11.4%.

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

The growth in revenues attributed to asset-based fees were primarily driven by ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes and non-ETF indexed funds linked to MSCI indexes, primarily due to an increase in average AUM, partially offset by a decrease in average basis point fees.

Index Run Rate as of September 30, 2025, was $1.8 billion, up 12.4%. The $197.6 million increase was comprised of a $116.3 million increase in asset-based fees Run Rate and a $81.3 million increase in recurring subscription Run Rate. The increase in asset-based fees Run Rate was primarily driven by higher AUM in both ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes and non-ETF indexed funds linked to MSCI indexes. The increase in recurring subscription Run Rate was primarily driven by growth from market cap-weighted and custom Index products. The increase reflected growth across all regions and client segments. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth for Index was 9.0%.

Analytics Segment:

Table 1B: Results (unaudited)

Analytics operating revenues were $182.2 million, up 5.7%. The $9.8 million increase was primarily driven by growth from recurring subscriptions related to both Equity Analytics and Multi-Asset Class products. Organic operating revenue growth for Analytics was 5.6%.

Analytics Run Rate as of September 30, 2025, was $742.4 million, up 7.4%. The increase of $51.1 million was primarily driven by growth in both Equity Analytics and Multi-Asset Class products, and reflected growth across all regions. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth for Analytics was 6.9%.

Sustainability and Climate Segment:

Table 1C: Results (unaudited)

Sustainability and Climate operating revenues were $90.1 million, up 7.7%. The $6.5 million increase was primarily driven by growth from recurring subscriptions related to Ratings and Climate products, with growth primarily attributable to EMEA. Organic operating revenue growth for Sustainability and Climate was 5.1%.

Sustainability and Climate Run Rate as of September 30, 2025, was $370.8 million, up 7.8%. The $26.8 million increase primarily reflects growth in Ratings and Climate products, with growth primarily attributable to EMEA. The increase is primarily driven by growth in asset manager and wealth manager client segments. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth for Sustainability and Climate was 5.8%.

All Other – Private Assets:

Table 1D: Results (unaudited)

All Other – Private Assets, which reflect the Real Assets and Private Capital Solutions operating segments, operating revenues, were $70.0 million, up 9.7%. The growth in revenue is primarily driven by growth from recurring subscriptions in Private Capital Solutions related to Total Plan Portfolio Management and Private Capital Intel products. Organic operating revenue growth for All Other – Private Assets was 8.3%.

All Other – Private Assets Run Rate was $285.4 million as of September 30, 2025, up 6.3%, primarily driven by growth from Private Capital Solutions related to Total Plan Portfolio Management, Private Capital Intel and Transparency Data products, and reflected growth across all regions. The increase is primarily driven by growth in asset owner and asset manager client segments. Organic recurring subscription Run Rate growth for All Other – Private Assets was 5.5%.

Select Balance Sheet Items and Capital Allocation

Cash Balances and Outstanding Debt: Cash and cash equivalents was $400.1 million as of September 30, 2025. 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, 2025, were $5.6 billion. The total debt to net income ratio (based on trailing twelve months net income) was 4.5x. The total debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio (based on trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA) was 3.0x.

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

On August 8, 2025, the Company issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2035 (the “2035 Senior Notes”) in a registered public offering. The 2035 Senior Notes mature on September 1, 2035.

On August 20, 2025, we amended our credit agreement to provide for an upsized revolving credit facility with an aggregate of $1.6 billion of revolving loan commitments (from $1.25 billion) and extend the availability period until August 2030.

Prior to amending the credit agreement, the Company applied the proceeds of the offering of the 2035 Senior Notes to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the prior credit agreement.

Capex and Cash Flow: Capex was $26.1 million, and net cash provided by operating activities increased by 6.6% to $449.4 million, primarily reflecting higher cash collections from customers, partially offset by higher cash expenses. Free cash flow (non-GAAP) for third quarter 2025 was up 7.4% to $423.3 million.

Share Count and Share Repurchases: Weighted average diluted shares outstanding were 76.6 million in third quarter 2025, down 2.7% year-over-year. Total share repurchases during the quarter were $1,225.7 million or 2,189,289 shares at an average repurchase price of $559.85. Total shares outstanding as of September 30, 2025 were 75.2 million. As mentioned above, on October 25, 2025, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $3.0 billion of MSCI’s common stock.

Dividends: Approximately $137.4 million in dividends were paid to shareholders in third quarter 2025. On October 27, 2025, the MSCI Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $1.80 per share for fourth quarter 2025, payable on November 28, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on November 14, 2025.

Full-Year 2025 Guidance

MSCI’s guidance for the year ending December 31, 2025 (“Full-Year 2025”) 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 indebtedness under our revolving credit facility, while the majority is from fixed rate senior unsecured notes. Changes to the secured overnight funding rate (“SOFR”) and indebtedness levels can cause our annual interest expense to vary.

(2) Prior guidance reflects the Full-Year 2025 ranges disclosed in MSCI’s Earnings Release furnished on Form 8-K dated July 22, 2025, except for the Interest Expense (including amortization of financing fees) range, as revised and furnished on the Company’s Form 8-K dated September 8, 2025.

Conference Call Information

MSCI’s senior management will review the third quarter 2025 results on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 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. Participants who wish to join via telephone should click here to register in advance. Registered participants will receive an email confirmation with a unique PIN to access the conference call. The earnings call webcast will include 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 2025 guidance. These forward-looking statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve underlying assumptions, as well as 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, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 7, 2025 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, uncertainties or other matters 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 website ir.msci.com and social media outlets, such as LinkedIn or X (@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 Run Rate, Retention Rate, subscription sales, subscription cancellations and non-recurring sales.

A substantial portion of MSCI’s operating revenues is derived from recurring subscriptions or licenses for products and services that are ongoing in nature and provided over contractually agreed periods, which are subject to renewal or cancellation upon the expiration of the then-current term. In addition, we generate non-recurring revenues from one-time sales and other transactions or services that are discrete in nature or that have a defined life. The operating metrics defined below help management assess the stability and growth of this recurring-revenue base and track non-recurring revenues. There have been no changes to the methodologies used to compute these metrics compared with prior periods.

Run Rate estimates, at a specific point in time, the annualized value of the recurring portion of executed client contracts (“Client Contracts”) expected to generate revenues over the next 12 months, assuming that all such Client Contracts are renewed and using fixed foreign exchange rates. Run Rate includes new Client Contracts upon execution, even if the license start date and related revenue recognition occur later.

For Client Contracts where fees are linked to an investment product’s assets or trading volume or fees (referred to as “Asset-based Fees”), the Run Rate calculation is based on:

• For exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”): assets under management as of the last trading day of the period;
• For non-ETF products: the most recent client-reported assets under management; and
• For listed futures and options contracts: the most recent quarterly volumes and/or reported exchange fees.

Run Rate excludes fees associated with one-time or other non-recurring transactions.

We remove from Run Rate the annualized fee value associated with products or services under any Client Contracts when (i) we have received a notice of termination, reduction in fees, non-renewal or other clear indication that the client does not intend to continue its subscription at then current fees; and (ii) management has determined that such notice or indication reflects the client’s final decision to terminate, not renew or renew at a lower fee the applicable products or services, even if such termination or non-renewal is not yet effective (each such event, a “Subscription Cancellation”).

In general, when a client reduces the fees paid to MSCI associated with a reduction in the number of products or services to which it subscribes within a segment, or a switch between products or services within a segment, unless the client switches to a product or service that management considers a replacement, such reduction or switch is treated as a Subscription Cancellation, including for purposes of calculating MSCI’s Retention Rate (as detailed below).

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]
Melanie Blanco +1 212 981 1049

Konstantinos Makrygiannis +44(0)7768 930056

Tina Tan + 852 2844 9320

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