MSCI Inc. operates in the information technology sector within the financial data and analytics industry, providing indexes, portfolio analytics, and investment research tools used by institutional investors worldwide.
The company is best known for developing global market benchmarks that help investors measure performance, manage risk, and construct investment portfolios.
Its main areas of activity include:
• Development of global equity and fixed-income indexes used as investment benchmarks.
• Portfolio analytics and risk management tools for institutional investors.
• ESG data and sustainability ratings used in investment analysis.
• Financial datasets and analytics platforms supporting portfolio construction and research.
MSCI’s index family includes widely followed benchmarks such as the MSCI World Index, MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and MSCI ACWI, which are commonly used by asset managers, ETF issuers, pension funds, and financial institutions.
The company operates globally, with offices and research teams across North America, Europe, and Asia. Its products support the development of investment strategies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and quantitative portfolio analysis.
Industry trends influencing the company include the growth of passive investing, expansion of ETF markets, rising demand for ESG data, and increasing reliance on data-driven investment strategies.
MSCI Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker MSCI.
History and Development
MSCI traces its origins to 1969, when it was created as part of Morgan Stanley to develop international equity indexes for institutional investors.
Over the following decades, its index products became widely adopted as benchmarks for global portfolio management.
During the 1990s, the company expanded into risk analytics and quantitative investment tools, broadening its offering beyond index construction.
In 2007, MSCI was spun off from Morgan Stanley and completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming an independent publicly traded company.
Since then, MSCI has expanded its product portfolio through acquisitions and new technologies, particularly in areas such as ESG data, investment analytics, and portfolio risk modeling.