View Filing Data

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

20,986

69,121

68,968

68,840

70,218

69,131

69,741

30,463

29,291

277,147

198,626

118,665

17,481

54,509

53,724

53,321

51,418

49,300

63,306

40,177

37,461

212,972

190,244

135,780

125

(1,002)

4,431

1,943

6,953

3,594

8,896

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

5,564

16,268

16,422

16,423

16,692

16,694

16,350

4,277

4,278

65,805

41,599

25,554

1,798

4,478

4,669

5,168

5,110

5,530

4,934

3,556

3,393

19,425

17,413

11,957

45,855

144,501

142,781

143,792

147,869

142,598

161,284

78,473

74,423

578,943

456,778

291,956

26,669

16,540

81,633

82,245

82,691

75,429

70,720

41,449

46,697

47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

Interest income

(68)

(335)

(184)

(186)

(143)

(128)

(114)

(343)

(408)

(848)

(993)

(1,053)

Interest expense

6,054

13,267

13,113

12,852

16,587

17,495

20,415

8,991

4,436

55,819

51,337

19,683

Other expense

127

(1,427)

(983)

383

5,641

2,274

524

(608)

3,614

2,288

641

6,113

11,505

11,946

13,049

22,085

19,641

20,825

8,746

3,420

58,585

52,632

19,271

20,556

70,128

70,299

69,642

53,344

51,079

20,624

37,951

43,837

263,413

153,491

131,721

6,732

5,651

25,642

20,512

23,982

19,823

20,813

10,305

13,884

16,319

89,959

61,321

49,920

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

$ 92,170

$ 81,801

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.37

$ 0.41

$ 0.38

$ 0.28

$ 0.25

$ 0.09

$ 0.23

$ 0.26

$ 1.43

$ 0.82

$ 0.80

Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share:

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.36

$ 0.40

$ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.25

$ 0.08

$ 0.22

$ 0.26

$ 1.41

$ 0.81

$ 0.80

Basic

119,943

121,146

120,831

120,592

120,282

119,309

118,339

105,345

105,235

120,717

112,074

100,607

Diluted

121,803

122,536

122,303

122,235

122,013

121,172

120,341

106,003

105,844

122,276

113,357

100,860

[1]

Financial information for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2010 has not been included in this Form 10-K for the following reasons: (i)(a) the three months ended February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30, 2010 provide a meaningful comparison for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2011, respectively; (ii) there are no significant factors, seasonal or other, that would materially impact the comparability of information if the results for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 2010 were presented in lieu of results for the three months ended February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30, 2010, respectively; and (iii) it was not practicable or cost justified to prepare this information.

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 13,824	$ 173,454	$ 92,170	$ 81,801
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	855	(4,363)	4,195	418
Income tax effect	(334)	1,711	(1,640)	(89)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	521	(2,652)	2,555	329
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges	1,111	(2,445)	3,607	(1,737)
Income tax effect	(434)	957	(1,408)	716
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	677	(1,488)	2,199	(1,021)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities	11	(11)	5
Income tax effect	(4)	4	(2)
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	7	(7)	3
Periodic pension adjustment	(88)	(145)	1,228	823
Income tax effect	6	41	(361)	(367)
Periodic pension adjustment, net of tax	(82)	(104)	867	456
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	1,123	(4,251)	5,624	(236)
Comprehensive income	$ 14,947	$ 169,203	$ 97,794	$ 81,565

Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Total
Balance at Nov. 30, 2008	$ 1,001	$ (681)	$ 291,204	$ 2,212	$ (7,354)	$ 286,382
Net income				81,801		81,801
Foreign currency translation adjustment					329	329
Net changes in unrealized losses on cash flow hedges					(1,021)	(1,021)
Periodic pension adjustment					456	456
Common stock issued in offering	38		115,717			115,755
Common stock issued	15					15
Compensation payable in common stock and options			34,302			34,302
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury		(18,487)				(18,487)
Exercise of stock options			597			597
Excess tax benefits from employee stock incentive plans			6,927			6,927
Balance at Nov. 30, 2009	1,054	(19,168)	448,747	84,013	(7,590)	507,056
Net income				92,170		92,170
Foreign currency translation adjustment					2,555	2,555
Net changes in unrealized losses on cash flow hedges					2,199	2,199
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities					3	3
Periodic pension adjustment					867	867
Common stock issued	10					10
Common stock issued to acquire RiskMetrics Group, Inc.	126		371,689			371,815
Compensation payable in common stock and options			31,741			31,741
Compensation payable in common stock assumed to acquire RiskMetrics Group, Inc.			53,879			53,879
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury		(14,151)				(14,151)
Exercise of stock options	15		23,421			23,436
Excess tax benefits from employee stock incentive plans			8,537			8,537
Balance at Nov. 30, 2010	1,205	(33,319)	938,014	176,183	(1,966)	1,080,117
Net income				13,824		13,824
Foreign currency translation adjustment					521	521
Net changes in unrealized losses on cash flow hedges					677	677
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities					7	7
Periodic pension adjustment					(82)	(82)
Common stock issued	1					1
Compensation payable in common stock and options			8,504			8,504
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury		(1,882)				(1,882)
Exercise of stock options	1		185			186
Excess tax benefits from employee stock incentive plans			297			297
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	1,207	(35,201)	947,000	190,007	(843)	1,102,170
Net income				173,454		173,454
Foreign currency translation adjustment					(2,652)	(2,652)
Net changes in unrealized losses on cash flow hedges					(1,488)	(1,488)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities					(7)	(7)
Periodic pension adjustment					(104)	(104)
Common stock issued	10					10
Compensation payable in common stock and options			24,981			24,981
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury		(14,626)				(14,626)
Exercise of stock options	10		16,421			16,431
Excess tax benefits from employee stock incentive plans			7,263			7,263
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,227	$ (49,827)	$ 995,665	$ 363,461	$ (5,094)	$ 1,305,432

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 13,824	$ 173,454	$ 92,170	$ 81,801
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets	5,564	65,805	41,599	25,554
Share-based compensation	2,843	31,723	32,285	35,161
Depreciation of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	1,798	19,425	17,413	11,957
Amortization of debt origination fees	548	5,776	8,090	1,432
Deferred taxes	2,852	5,625	926	(14,338)
Amortization of discount on long-term debt	101	1,051	1,337	165
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(297)	(7,263)	(8,537)	(6,927)
Other non-cash adjustments	(5)	1,542	3,246	1,510
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Trade receivables	10,026	(42,284)	(35,851)	8,560
Due from related parties				1,765
Prepaid income taxes	2,263	(10,743)	17,241	(9,177)
Prepaid and other assets	1,015	(8,525)	3,308	5,787
Accounts payable	(1,950)	57	(2,653)	688
Payable to related parties				(34,992)
Deferred revenue	(3,321)	19,379	3,980	4,618
Accrued compensation and related benefits	2,103	6,406	15,574	5,515
Other accrued liabilities	6,897	(3,400)	(6,523)	1,499
Other	(1,032)	(3,031)	(251)	10,364
Net cash provided by operating activities	43,229	254,997	183,354	130,942
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			(1,101,243)
Proceeds from redemption of short-term investments	1,100	150,292	416,550	268,582
Purchase of investments		(217,792)	(194,416)	(563,386)
Capital expenditures	(1,811)	(23,111)	(13,190)	(13,412)
Proceeds from the sale of property, equipment and leasehold improvements			22
Net cash used in investing activities	(711)	(90,611)	(892,277)	(308,216)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing, net of discount		1,125,000	1,268,625
Proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of underwriting discount and other direct costs of $1.3 million				115,755
Repayment of long-term debt		(1,312,062)	(386,875)	(22,250)
Repayment of RiskMetrics Group, Inc. debt acquired			(107,485)
Payment of issuance costs in connection with long term debt			(34,029)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(1,882)	(14,626)	(14,151)	(18,487)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	186	16,431	23,436	597
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	297	7,263	8,537	6,927
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,399)	(177,994)	758,058	82,542
Effect of exchange rates changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,729	(3,604)	1,416	2,679
Net (decrease) increase in cash	42,848	(17,212)	50,551	(92,053)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	226,575	269,423	176,024	268,077
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	269,423	252,211	226,575	176,024
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	7	52,713	40,100	18,253
Cash paid for income taxes	941	93,728	46,190	61,385
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements in other accrued liabilities	$ 1,577	$ 1,781	821	$ 3,482
Acquisition of RiskMetrics Group, Inc., class A common stock issued			371,815
Fair value of stock options and restricted stock awards assumed in connection with acquisition of RiskMetrics Group, Inc.			$ 53,879

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Underwriting discount and other direct costs relating to public offering of common stock	$ 1.3

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation

1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization

MSCI Inc. together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Company" or "MSCI") is a global provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics and corporate governance products and services. The Company's flagship products are its global equity indices and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") products marketed under the MSCI and MSCI Research brands, its portfolio risk and performance analytics covering global equity and fixed income markets marketed under the Barra brand, its market and credit risk analytics marketed under the RiskMetrics and Barra brands, its governance research and outsourced proxy voting and reporting services marketed under the ISS brand, its valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets marketed under the FEA brand and its forensic accounting risk research, legal and regulatory risk assessment and due diligence products marketed under the CFRA brand.

MSCI operates as two segments, the Performance and Risk business and the Governance business. The Performance and Risk business is a global provider of investment decision support tools, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, credit analytics and ESG products. The Governance business, which was included in MSCI's operations following MSCI's acquisition of RiskMetrics Group, Inc. ("RiskMetrics") in June 2010, is a provider of corporate governance and specialized financial research and analysis services to institutional shareholders and corporations around the world. (See Note 3, "Acquisitions," and Note 14, "Segment Information," for further information about MSCI's acquisitions and operating segments.)

Change in Fiscal Year End

On December 8, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a change in the Company's fiscal year end from November 30 to December 31 of each year. This change to the calendar year reporting cycle began January 1, 2011. As a result of the change, the Company is reporting a December 2010 fiscal month transition period, which is separately reported in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 2011.

Financial information for the year ended December 31, 2010 has not been included in this Form 10-K for the following reasons: (i) the year ended November 30, 2010 provides a meaningful comparison for year ended December 31, 2011; (ii) there are no significant factors, seasonal or other, that would impact the comparability of information if the results for the year ended December 31, 2010 were presented in lieu of results for the year ended November 30, 2010; and (iii) it was not practicable or cost justified to prepare this information.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company's policy is to consolidate all entities in which it owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock unless it does not control the entity. It is also the Company's policy to consolidate any variable interest entity for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, as required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 810-10, "Consolidations." For investments in any entities in which the Company owns 20% or less of the outstanding voting stock and significant influence does not exist, such investments are carried at cost.

Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates

The Company's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These accounting principles require the Company to make certain estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the deferral and recognition of revenue, research and development and software capitalization, the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes and other matters that affect the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company believes that estimates used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are reasonable; however, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

The Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended November 30, 2009 reflect expense allocations for certain corporate functions previously provided by Morgan Stanley, including human resources, information technology, accounting, legal and compliance, corporate services, treasury and other services. These allocations were based on what the Company and Morgan Stanley considered reasonable reflections of the utilization levels of these services required in support of the Company's business and were based on methods that include direct time tracking, headcount, inventory metrics and corporate overhead. Morgan Stanley was the controlling shareholder of MSCI through May 22, 2009. As of May 22, 2009, Morgan Stanley no longer provided corporate functions for the Company and no additional expense allocations have been recorded by the Company since that date.

Inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue related to the Company's non-software-related recurring arrangements is recognized pursuant to the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Subtopic 605-25, "Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables." Under the provisions of ASC Subtopic 605-25, transactions with multiple elements should be considered separate units of accounting if all of the following criteria are met:

•

The delivered item has stand-alone value to the client,

•

There is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item(s), and

•

If the arrangement includes a general right of return, delivery or performance of the undelivered items is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor.

The Company has signed subscription agreements with substantially all of its clients that set forth the fees paid to it by the clients. Further, the Company regularly assesses the receivable balances for each client. The Company's subscription agreements for non-software-related products include provisions that, among other things, allow clients, for no additional fee, to receive updates and modifications that may be made from time to time, for the term of the agreement, typically one year. As it currently does not have objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element of the transaction, the Company does not account for the delivered item as a separate element. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue ratably over the term of the license agreement.

Our software-related recurring revenue arrangements do not require significant modification or customization of any underlying software applications being licensed. Accordingly, the Company recognizes software revenues, excluding the energy and commodity asset valuation analytics products, pursuant to the requirements of ASC Subtopic 985-605, "Software-Revenue Recognition." In accordance with ASC Subtopic 985-605, the Company begins to recognize revenues from subscriptions, maintenance and client technical support, and professional services when all of the following criteria are met: (1) the Company has persuasive evidence of a legally binding arrangement, (2) delivery has occurred, (3) client fee is deemed fixed or determinable, and (4) collection is probable.

The Company has signed subscription agreements with substantially all of its clients that set forth the fees paid to it by the clients. Further, the Company regularly assesses the receivable balances for each client. The Company's subscription agreements for software products include provisions that, among other things, would allow clients to receive unspecified future software upgrades for no additional fee as well as the right to use the software products with maintenance for the term of the agreement, typically one year. As it does not have vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") for these elements (except for the support related to energy and commodity asset valuation products), the Company does not account for these elements separately. Accordingly, except for revenues related to energy and commodity asset valuation products, the Company recognizes revenue ratably over the term of the license agreement.

The Company's software license arrangements generally do not include acceptance provisions. Such provisions generally allow a client to test the software for a defined period of time before committing to license the software. If a license agreement includes an acceptance provision, the Company does not record subscription revenues until the earlier of the receipt of a written client acceptance or, if not notified by the client that it is cancelling the license agreement, the expiration of the acceptance period.

For the Company's energy and commodity asset valuation analytics products, it uses the residual method to recognize revenue when a product agreement includes one or more elements to be delivered at a future date and VSOE of the fair value if all undelivered elements exist. In substantially all of the Company's contracts, the only element that remains undelivered at the time of delivery of the product is support. The fair value of support is determined based upon what the fees for the support are for clients who purchase support separately. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered element is deferred and the remaining portion of the contract fee is recognized as product revenue. Support fees for these products are recognized ratably over the support period.

The Company applies SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 ("SAB 104"), "Revenue Recognition," in determining revenue recognition related to clients that use its indices as the basis for certain index-linked investment products such as exchange traded funds or futures contracts. These clients commonly pay the Company a license fee for the use of its intellectual property based on the investment product's assets under management or contract volumes. These fees are calculated based upon estimated assets in the investment product or contract volumes obtained either through independent third-party sources or the most recently reported information of the client.

The Company recognizes revenue when all the following criteria are met:

•

the client has signed a contract with it;

•

the service has been rendered;

•

the amount of the fee is fixed or determinable based on the terms of the contract; and

•

collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company has signed contracts with substantially all clients that are licensed to use its indices as the basis for certain index-linked investment products, such as exchange traded funds or futures contracts. The contracts state the terms under which these fees are to be calculated. These fees are billed in arrears, after the fees have been earned. The fees are earned as the Company supplies the indices to the client. The Company assesses the creditworthiness of these clients prior to entering into a contract and regularly review the receivable balances related to them.

Share-Based Compensation

Certain of the Company's employees have received share-based compensation under certain compensation programs. The Company's compensation expense reflects the fair value method of accounting for share-based payments under ASC Subtopic 718-10, "Compensation-Stock Compensation." ASC Subtopic 718-10 requires measurement of compensation cost for equity-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation cost over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

The fair value of MSCI restricted stock units is determined based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of MSCI's class A common stock ("Common Stock"), measured as the closing price on the date of grant. The fair value of MSCI standard stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the single grant life method. Under the single grant life method, option awards with graded vesting are valued using a single weighted-average expected option life. The fair value of MSCI stock options that contain stock price contingencies is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which creates a normal distribution of future stock prices, which is then used to value the awards based on their individual terms.

The Company reserved approximately 4.3 million shares of Common Stock for outstanding vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards assumed as part of the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010. See Note 3, "Acquisitions," for further information about the Company's acquisition of RiskMetrics. The fair values of stock options assumed were estimated using a Hull-White Lattice option-pricing model. The Hull-White model is commonly used for estimating the fair value of in-the-money and out-of-the-money options, as it explicitly models the exercise behavior of option holders considering the amount by which each such grant is in- or out-of-the-money. The major assumptions utilized are the stock price, the remaining contractual term, the remaining time to vest, forfeiture behavior, dividend yield, the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility and the early exercise multiple.

Based on interpretive guidance related to Stock Compensation, the Company's policy is to accrue the estimated cost of share-based awards that were granted to retirement-eligible employees over the course of the prior year in which they were earned rather than expensing the awards on the date of grant. A portion of the restricted stock units granted to employees are subject to certain performance conditions. The Company bases initial accruals of compensation cost on the estimated number of instruments for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. If the estimated number of instruments changes from previous estimates, the cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change is recognized in compensation cost in the period of the change.

Research and Development and Software Capitalization

The Company accounts for research and development costs in accordance with several accounting pronouncements, including ASC Subtopic 730-10, "Research and Development," and ASC Subtopic 985-730, "Software-Research and Development." ASC Subtopic 730-10 requires that research and development costs generally be expensed as incurred. ASC Subtopic 985-730 specifies that costs incurred in researching and developing a computer software product should be charged to expense until technological feasibility has been established for the product. Once technological feasibility is established, all software costs should be capitalized until the product is available for general release to clients. Judgment is required in determining when technological feasibility of a product is established. Costs incurred after technological feasibility is established have not been material, and accordingly, the Company has expensed all research and development costs when incurred.

Income Taxes

Prior to May 2, 2008, the Company was a member of the Morgan Stanley consolidated group and the Company's taxable income had been included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of Morgan Stanley as well as in returns filed by Morgan Stanley with certain state and local taxing jurisdictions. After May 2, 2008, upon the disposition by Morgan Stanley of some of its equity interest in MSCI, the Company was no longer eligible to join in the filing of a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with Morgan Stanley, and the Company has filed and will continue to file its U.S. consolidated federal income tax return as a taxable group separate from Morgan Stanley. The Company's foreign income tax returns have been and continue to be filed on a separate company basis. The Company's federal and foreign income tax liability has been computed and presented as if it were a separate taxpaying entity in the periods presented. However, the state and local tax liability presented in these statements reflects the fact that prior to May 22, 2009, the date on which Morgan Stanley disposed of its remaining equity interest in MSCI, the Company was included in certain state consolidated, combined or unitary filings of Morgan Stanley, and that its tax liability was affected by the attributes of the Morgan Stanley combined group. After May 22, 2009, the Company was no longer eligible for inclusion in any state or local consolidated, combined, or unitary return filed by Morgan Stanley and, from that date forward, the Company has been filing the relevant state income tax returns as a separate taxable group. Where the Company files as a stand-alone taxpayer, the Company's state and local tax filings will reflect its separate filing attributes. Federal income taxes incurred prior to May 2, 2008 and state income taxes incurred prior to May 22, 2009 are remitted to Morgan Stanley pursuant to a tax sharing agreement between the companies.

Income tax expense is provided for using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.

The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which it is required to file income tax returns. The Company recorded additional tax expense related to open tax years, which the Company's management believes is adequate in relation to the potential for assessments. These amounts have been recorded in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. The Company's management believes the resolution of tax matters will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition. However, to the extent the Company is required to pay amounts in excess of its reserves, a resolution could have a material impact on its consolidated statement of income for a particular future period. In addition, an unfavorable tax settlement could require use of cash and result in an increase in the effective tax rate in the period in which such resolution occurs.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenues represent amounts billed to customers for services and maintenance in advance of performing the services. Our clients normally pay subscription fees annually or quarterly in advance. Deferred revenue is amortized ratably over the service period as revenue recognition criteria are met. Where the service period has not begun or been renewed, deferred revenues and accounts receivable are not recognized.

Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded as part of the Company's acquisitions of businesses when the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net tangible and separately identifiable intangible assets acquired. The carrying amount of the Company's goodwill is $1,708.6 million primarily relating to the acquisitions of Barra Inc. ("Barra"), RiskMetrics and Measurisk, LLC ("Measurisk"). The Company's goodwill is subject to an impairment test each year, or more often if conditions indicate impairment may have occurred, pursuant to ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other."

The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and on an interim basis when certain events and circumstances exist. The testing for impairment is performed at the reporting unit level, which is generally at the level of its business segments. Goodwill impairment is determined by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective book value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the book value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not deemed to be impaired. If the estimated fair value is below book value, however, further analysis is required to determine the amount of impairment. Additionally, if the book value of a reporting unit is zero or a negative value and it is determined that it is more likely than not the goodwill is impaired, further analysis is required. As the estimated fair value of its reporting units exceeded their respective book value, no impairment of goodwill was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 and 2009 or during the one month ended December 31, 2010.

The Company's previous accounting policy was to conduct the annual goodwill impairment test as of June 1. Effective in the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company elected to change its accounting policy to begin conducting the annual goodwill impairment test on July 1. The change to the annual goodwill impairment testing date is preferable under the circumstances as it moves the impairment testing outside of the Company's normal second quarter-end reporting process to a date in the third quarter when resources are less constrained, which is consistent with the timing of the testing date prior to the change in the fiscal year-end. The resulting change in accounting principle related to the annual testing date will not delay, accelerate, or avoid an impairment charge of the Company's goodwill. As it was impracticable to objectively determine projected cash flows and related valuation estimates as of each July 1 for periods prior to July 1, 2011, the Company prospectively applied the change in the annual goodwill impairment testing date from July 1, 2011. The application of this change in accounting policy did not result in any impairment charges recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Effective July 1, 2011, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," or ASU 2011-08, which provides the Company the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit when testing goodwill for impairment. The qualitative assessment is based on reviewing the totality of several factors, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, other entity specific events (for example, changes in management) or other events such as selling or disposing of a reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined, based on qualitative factors, to be more likely than not less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, then entities are required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. See Note 2, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," for further information regarding accounting pronouncements released that may have an impact on MSCI's consolidated financial statements.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of those definite-lived intangibles from the acquisitions of Barra in June 2004, RiskMetrics in June 2010 and Measurisk in July 2010. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually or when impairment indicators are present, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The Company has no indefinite-lived intangibles. The intangible assets have remaining useful lives ranging from one to 19 years.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of operations having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at year-end exchange rates, and income statement accounts are translated at weighted average exchange rates for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements, net of related tax effects, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders' equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions incurred in currencies other than the local functional currency are included in other expense (income) on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market and debt security investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments may include U.S. Treasury securities, state and municipal securities and highly rated corporate debt securities with maturity dates ranging from 91 to 360 days from the date of purchase.

The Company classifies its short-term investments as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included as a component of interest income. Interest on securities classified as available-for-sale is included as a component of interest income.

Hedging Instruments

The Company uses swaps to hedge certain interest rate exposures. It does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. The Company applies ASC Subtopic 815-10, "Derivatives and Hedging," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities. ASC Subtopic 815-10 requires MSCI to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and measure those instruments at fair value. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are assessed in accordance with ASC Subtopic 815-10 and reflected in the carrying value of the interest rate swaps on the balance sheet. The estimated fair value is based primarily on projected future swap rates.

The Company applies cash flow hedge accounting to interest rate swaps designated as hedges of the variability of future cash flows from floating rate liabilities due to the benchmark interest rate. The Company uses regression analysis to perform an ongoing prospective and retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of these hedging relationships. Changes in fair value of these interest rate swaps are recorded to "net change in cash flow hedges" as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in Shareholders' equity, to the extent they are effective. Amounts recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss are then reclassified to interest expense as interest on the hedged borrowings is recognized. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of these instruments is recorded to interest expense.

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company's financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest rate swaps.

The Company applies the fair value hierarchy of ASC Subtopic 820-10, "Fair Value Measurement," to prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. A financial asset's or financial liability's level in the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to its fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:


Level 1		Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2		Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3		Valuations based on one or more inputs that are both significant to fair value measurement and unobservable.

The fair value of certain level 2 financial liabilities may include valuation adjustments for our counterparties' and our credit quality.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of furniture and fixtures and computer and communications equipment are provided principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Estimates of useful lives are as follows: furniture & fixtures—five years; computer and related equipment—three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or, where applicable, the remaining term of the lease.

Treasury Stock

The Company holds repurchased shares of Common Stock as treasury stock. We account for treasury stock under the cost method and include treasury stock as a component of shareholders' equity.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded when it is probable and estimable that a receivable will not be collected. Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts from December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 were as follows:


	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of November 30, 2008	$	712
Addition to provision		977
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(842	)

Balance as of November 30, 2009	$	847
Addition to provision⁽¹⁾		931
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(765	)

Balance as of November 30, 2010		1,013
Reduction to provision		(133	)
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(3	)

Balance as of December 31, 2010	$	877
Addition to provision		545
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(565	)

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	857

(1)	Includes an allowance of $0.3 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

Accrued Compensation

The Company makes significant estimates in determining its accrued non-stock based compensation and benefits expenses. A significant portion of the Company's employee incentive compensation programs are discretionary. Each year end the Company determines the amount of discretionary cash bonus pools. The Company also reviews compensation and benefits expenses throughout the year to determine how overall performance compares to management's expectations. These and other factors, including historical performance, are taken into account in reviewing accrued discretionary cash compensation estimates quarterly and adjusting accrual rates as appropriate.

Concentrations

The Company licenses its products and services to investment managers primarily in the United States, Europe and Asia (primarily Hong Kong and Japan). The Company evaluates the credit of its customers and does not require collateral. The Company maintains an allowance on customer accounts where estimated losses may result from the inability of its customers to make required payments.

Financial instruments that may potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and short-term investments. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, cash and cash equivalent amounts were $252.2 million and $269.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had invested $140.5 million and $72.8 million, respectively, in U.S. Treasury Securities with maturity dates ranging from 91 to 360 days from the date of purchase. The Company receives interest at prevailing money market fund rates on its cash deposits.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of the Company's operating revenues.

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 2-6
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Publisher AICPA
-Number 94-6
-Paragraph 10
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Publisher FASB
-Number 46R
-Paragraph 4, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6359553&loc=d3e288-107754

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2197480

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6921930&loc=d3e5614-111684

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 915
-SubTopic 235
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6472506&loc=d3e38932-110933

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 852
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2209116

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 272
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6373374&loc=d3e70478-108055

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=SL6228881-111685

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122150

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6359566&loc=d3e326-107755

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 720
-SubTopic 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2122524

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 275
-SubTopic 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2134480

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)-8
-Paragraph 8, C1, C7
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Dec. 31, 2011
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2009-13, "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements," or ASU 2009-13. ASU 2009-13 addresses how to determine whether an arrangement involving multiple deliverables contains more than one unit of accounting and how the arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-14, "Software (Topic 985): Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements," or ASU 2009-14. ASU 2009-14 modifies the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance to exclude (a) non-software components of tangible products and (b) software components of tangible products that are sold, licensed or leased with tangible products when the software components and non-software components of the tangible product function together to deliver the tangible product's essential functionality. The adoption of ASU 2009-14 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)," or ASU 2010-28. This ASU amends ASC Topic 350. ASU 2010-28 clarifies the requirement to test for impairment of goodwill. ASC Topic 350 has required that goodwill be tested for impairment if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Under ASU 2010-28, when the carrying amount of a reporting unit is zero or negative an entity must assume that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, perform an additional test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and calculate the amount of that impairment. The modifications to ASC Topic 350 resulting from the issuance of ASU 2010-28 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and interim periods within those years. The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, "Business Combinations (Topic 805)—Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations," or ASU 2010-29. This standard update clarifies that, when presenting comparative financial statements, SEC registrants should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the current period business combinations had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The update also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 was effective prospectively for material (either on an individual or aggregate basis) business combinations entered into in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-29 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, "Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs," or ASU 2011-04. ASU 2011-04 changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). ASU 2011-04 also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, "Presentation of Comprehensive Income," or ASU 2011-05. The issuance of ASU 2011-05 is intended to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. The guidance in ASU 2011-05 supersedes the presentation options in ASC Topic 220 and facilitates convergence of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and IFRS by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity and requiring that all nonowner changes in shareholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)," or ASU 2011-12. In ASU 2011-12, the FASB decided that the specific requirement under ASU 2011-05 to present items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income alongside their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income will be deferred indefinitely. Therefore, those requirements will not be effective for public entities for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011. The remaining provisions covered by ASU 2011-05 are effective for interim periods and years beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which amends the guidance in ASC Topic 350, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other." Under ASU 2011-08, entities have the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the reporting unit when testing goodwill for impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined, based on qualitative factors, to be more likely than not less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit, entities are then required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity's financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company adopted ASU 2011-08 during the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements as no impairment of the Company's goodwill was recognized.

Tabular disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 154
-Paragraph 2, 17, 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 28
-Paragraph 23, 24
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 01
-Paragraph b
-Subparagraph 6
-Article 10

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6801783&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6801783&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510796

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6958853&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6801783&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6372559&loc=d3e725-108305

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6372559&loc=d3e765-108305

Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Acquisitions

3. ACQUISITIONS

Acquisition of RiskMetrics

On June 1, 2010, MSCI acquired RiskMetrics. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of February 28, 2010 by and among MSCI, Crossway Inc. ("Merger Sub"), a wholly owned subsidiary of MSCI, and RiskMetrics, Merger Sub merged with and into RiskMetrics, with RiskMetrics continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of MSCI. MSCI and RiskMetrics began joint operations immediately after the merger became effective. MSCI acquired RiskMetrics to, among other things, offer clients a more expansive portfolio of investment decision support tools that will enable clients to understand risk across their entire investment processes as well as reduce the concentration of the Company's client base beyond asset owners, asset managers and broker dealers by including a greater number of hedge fund, mutual fund and bank clients.

The total purchase price for RiskMetrics was $1,572.4 million and was comprised of:


(in thousands)
Cash	$	1,146,702
MSCI class A common stock valued using the New York Stock Exchange closing price on June 1, 2010		371,815
Fair value of outstanding vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards assumed		53,879

Total purchase price	$	1,572,396

MSCI issued approximately 12.6 million shares of Common Stock and reserved approximately 4.3 million shares of Common Stock for outstanding vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards assumed as part of the acquisition of RiskMetrics.

The fair values of stock options assumed were estimated using a Hull-White Lattice option-pricing model. The fair value of the unearned portion of the unvested RiskMetrics stock options and restricted stock awards will be recorded as operating expense over the remaining service periods, while the fair values of the earned portion of the vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards are included in the total purchase price.

During the year ended November 30, 2010, MSCI incurred approximately $21.2 million in transaction related costs related to the acquisition of RiskMetrics. These costs are reflected in "Selling, general and administrative" on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Purchase Price Allocation

The acquisition method of accounting is based on ASC Subtopic 805-10, "Business Combinations," and uses the fair value concepts defined in ASC Subtopic 820-10, which MSCI has adopted as required. The total purchase price for RiskMetrics was allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets based upon their fair values as of June 1, 2010 as set forth below. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible assets and intangible assets was recorded as goodwill. The purchase price allocation for RiskMetrics, which was based upon a valuation, is as follows:


(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	76,459
Trade receivables		33,577
Other assets		32,398
Goodwill		1,245,862
Intangible assets		628,120
Accounts payable and other liabilities		(48,494	)
Debt		(107,485	)
Deferred revenues		(114,686	)
Deferred tax liabilities, net		(173,355	)

Total purchase price	$	1,572,396

As a result of the finalization of the acquired income and non-income based tax valuations, Other assets, Goodwill, Accounts payable and other liabilities and Deferred tax liabilities, net increased from the preliminary values assigned as of December 31, 2010.

MSCI generally does not expect the goodwill recognized to be deductible for income tax purposes. Approximately $1,014.8 million and $231.1 million of the goodwill was allocated to the Performance and Risk and the Governance segments, respectively. These balances changed from those reported in prior periods as a result of the finalization of the acquired income and non-income based tax valuations.

Valuations of Intangible Assets Acquired

The following table sets forth the components of finite-lived intangible assets acquired in connection with the RiskMetrics acquisition:


	Estimated Fair Value		Estimated Useful Life
	(in thousands)
Customer relationships	$	428,600		14 to 15 years
Technology/Software		52,640		3 to 7 years
Proprietary processes		3,800		6 years
Trademarks/trade names		140,300		10 to 20 years
Non-compete agreements		2,780		1.5 years

Total	$	628,120

Actual Impact of RiskMetrics Acquisition

The following table presents the Company's estimates for information for RiskMetrics from the June 1, 2010 acquisition date that is included in MSCI's Consolidated Statement of Income:


(in thousands)	Year Ended November 30, 2010
Total revenues	$	152,301

Net income	$	10,080

Other Fiscal 2010 Acquisition

On July 30, 2010, MSCI acquired Measurisk to expand its product offerings to hedge fund investors. This was not deemed to be a material acquisition. MSCI has accounted for this acquisition in accordance with the ASC Subtopic 805-10 and has included the financial results of Measurisk in its consolidated results from the July 30, 2010 acquisition date. For the year ended November 30, 2010, Measurisk contributed approximately $4.4 million to MSCI's revenue and $1.6 million to MSCI's earnings. The purchase price allocations for this acquisition were $2.3 million for other assets, $9.5 million for identifiable intangible assets, $1.9 million for other liabilities and $21.1 million for goodwill.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations for MSCI and RiskMetrics as though the companies were combined as of December 1, 2008. The pro forma financial information for all periods presented also includes the business combination accounting effects resulting from the acquisition including the amortization charges from acquired intangible assets, adjustments to interest income for lower average cash balances, interest expense for borrowings and the amortization of deferred financing fees, debt discounts and prepaid agency fees and the related tax effects as though the aforementioned companies were combined as of December 1, 2008. No adjustments have been made for the Measurisk acquisition because it was not deemed to be an individually significant acquisition. The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions and any borrowings undertaken to finance the RiskMetrics acquisition had taken place at December 1, 2008.

The unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended November 30, 2010 combined the historical results of MSCI for the year ended November 30, 2010, the historical results of RiskMetrics for the three month-period ended March 31, 2010 and the historical results of RiskMetrics for the three month-period ended December 31, 2009 (due to differences in reporting periods). The unaudited pro forma financial information for the year ended November 30, 2009 combined the historical results of MSCI for the year ended November 30, 2009 and the historical results of RiskMetrics for the year ended December 31, 2009 (due to differences in reporting periods).

The unaudited pro forma financial information and the effects of the pro forma adjustments listed above were as follows for the years ended November 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Year Ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
	(unaudited)
Operating revenues	$	816,419	$	746,309

Cost of services		272,939		258,955
Selling, general and administrative		199,290		201,425
Restructuring		8,896		—
Amortization of intangible assets		64,477		73,164
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		21,660		20,306

Total operating expenses		567,262		553,850

Operating income		249,157		192,459

Other expense (income), net		71,430		67,744

Income before provision for income taxes		177,727		124,715
Provision for income taxes		66,896		44,863

Net income	$	110,831	$	79,852

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.91	$	0.68

The unaudited pro forma financial information by MSCI's operating segments' and the effects of the pro forma adjustments listed above are presented in the table below (See Note 14, "Segment Information," for further information about MSCI's operating segments):


	Year Ended November 30, 2010						Year Ended November 30, 2009
	(unaudited)
(in thousands)	Performance and Risk		Governance		Total		Performance and Risk		Governance		Total
Operating revenues	$	693,178	$	123,241	$	816,419	$	613,890	$	132,419	$	746,309

Cost of services		205,582		67,357		272,939		191,346		67,609		258,955
Selling, general and administrative		175,679		23,611		199,290		169,966		31,459		201,425
Restructuring		6,673		2,223		8,896		—		—		—
Amortization of intangible assets		51,137		13,340		64,477		59,764		13,400		73,164
Depreciation expense		18,224		3,436		21,660		16,393		3,913		20,306

Total operating expenses		457,295		109,967		567,262		437,469		116,381		553,850

Operating income		235,883		13,274		249,157		176,421		16,038		192,459
Other expense (income), net						71,430						67,744

Income before provision for income taxes						177,727						124,715
Provision for income taxes						66,896						44,863

Net income					$	110,831					$	79,852

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 88-16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51, 52
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Appendix F
-Paragraph F4
-Subparagraph e

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 67-73
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e6927-128479

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1490-128463

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e7008-128479

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1500-128463

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4926-128472

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4922-128472

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e6996-128479

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1524-128463

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1392-128463

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911361&loc=d3e7000-128479

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910749&loc=d3e4934-128472

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1497-128463

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1486-128463

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6972119&loc=d3e1383-128463

Restructuring

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring [Abstract]

4. RESTRUCTURING

During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010, MSCI's management approved, committed to and initiated a plan to restructure the Company's operations due to its acquisition of RiskMetrics (the "Restructuring Plan") in order to eliminate overlapping positions, eliminate duplicative occupancy costs, terminate overlapping vendor contracts and discontinue the planned integration of a product into RiskMetrics' standard product offering suite. Costs continued to be incurred under this plan throughout the one month ended December 31, 2010 and the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company believes that the plan was substantially completed by December 31, 2011. The Company accounts for restructuring costs in accordance with ASC Subtopic 420-10, "Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations." The restructuring costs are recorded to the "Restructuring expense" line item within the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income as they are recognized.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded $3.6 million of restructuring expenses in connection with the Restructuring Plan, of which $2.0 million was related to costs associated with the exit of certain leases, $0.9 million was related to the write-off of assets associated with the exit of certain leases, $0.6 million was related to severance and less than $0.1 million was related to the accelerated vesting of share-based compensation awards triggered by the elimination of overlapping positions.

During the year ended November 30, 2010, the Company recorded $8.9 million of restructuring expenses in connection with the Restructuring Plan, of which approximately $3.6 million was related to severance and $3.0 million was related to the accelerated vesting of share-based compensation awards triggered by the elimination of overlapping positions, $0.9 million was related to costs associated with discontinuance of the planned integration of a product into RiskMetrics' standard product offering suite and $1.4 million was related to costs associated with the exit of certain leases.

The Company recorded less than $0.1 million of restructuring expenses in connection with the Restructuring Plan during the one month ended December 31, 2010.

The accelerated vesting of share-based compensation awards is not accounted for as a restructuring liability under the line item "Other accrued liabilities" but is instead recorded under the line item "Additional paid in capital" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. Any changes to the estimates in connection with executing the Restructuring Plan will be reflected in the Company's future results of operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, approximately $2.0 million of the restructuring expenses were recorded under the Company's Performance and Risk operating segment and $1.6 million were recorded under the Company's Governance operating segment. During the year ended November 30, 2010, approximately $6.7 million of the restructuring expenses were recorded under the Company's Performance and Risk operating segment and $2.2 million were recorded under the Company's Governance operating segment.

The table below summarizes the accrual and charges incurred with respect to the Company's Restructuring Plan that are included in the line items "Other accrued liabilities" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:


	MSCI Restructuring Plan
(in thousands)	Severance			Lease termination			Total
Accrued Balance, December 31, 2010	$	931		$	1,291		$	2,222
Restructuring costs		649			3,036			3,685
Cash payments		(1,508	)		(3,621	)		(5,129	)
Other		—			(39	)		(39	)

Accrued Balance, December 31, 2011	$	72		$	667		$	739

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Common Share

5. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to MSCI common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common shares outstanding include common stock and vested restricted stock unit awards where recipients have satisfied either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligible requirements. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities. There were 19,754; 209,931; and 519,085, stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2009, respectively, and 6,534 for the one month ended December 31, 2010, because of their anti-dilutive effect.

The Company computes EPS using the two-class method and determines whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted EPS:


	For the Years Ended									One Month Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
Net income	$	173,454		$	92,170		$	81,801		$	13,824
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units⁽¹⁾		(627	)		(742	)		(1,246	)		(145	)

Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$	172,827		$	91,428		$	80,555		$	13,679

Basic weighted average common stock outstanding		120,717			112,074			100,607			119,943

Basic weighted average common stock outstanding		120,717			112,074			100,607			119,943
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		1,559			1,283			253			1,860

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		122,276			113,357			100,860			121,803

Earnings per basic common share	$	1.43		$	0.82		$	0.80		$	0.11

Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.41		$	0.81		$	0.80		$	0.11

(1)	The restricted stock units participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, the restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Short-Term Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Short-Term Investments [Abstract]

Short-Term Investments

6. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

The fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses of securities available-for-sale as of the dates indicated were as follows:


(in thousands)	Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses			Estimated Fair value
December 31, 2011
Debt securities available-for-sale

U.S. Treasury securities	$	135,485	$	9	$	(2	)	$	135,492
Tradable certificates of deposit		5,001		—		(3	)		4,998

Total	$	140,486	$	9	$	(5	)	$	140,490


December 31, 2010
Debt securities available-for-sale

U.S. Treasury securities	$	66,936	$	12	$	—		$	66,948
Commercial paper		4,251		1		—			4,252
State and municipal securities		1,615		2		—			1,617

Total	$	72,802	$	15	$	—		$	72,817

Unrealized Losses on Investments

Investments with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months and their related fair values at December 31, 2011 were as follows:


	Total
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Total Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	50,056	$	(2	)
Tradable certificates of deposit		2,695		(3	)

Total	$	52,751	$	(5	)

The Company had no investments with continuous unrealized losses at December 31, 2010.

Evaluating Investments for Other-than-Temporary Impairments

If the fair values of the Company's debt security investments are less than the amortized costs at the balance sheet date, the Company assesses whether the impairments are other than temporary. As the Company currently invests only in U.S. Treasury securities, state and municipal securities and highly rated corporate debt securities with a short duration (one year or less), it would take a significant decline in fair value and U.S. economic conditions for the Company to determine that these investments are other than temporarily impaired.

Additionally, management assesses whether it intends to sell or would more-likely-than-not not be required to sell an investment before the expected recovery of the cost basis. Management has asserted that it believes it is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell an investment before recovery of the cost basis.

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, no other-than-temporary impairment had been recorded on any of the Company's investments.

Tabular disclosure of investments in certain debt and equity securities (and certain other trading assets) which include all debt and equity securities (other than those equity securities accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting) with readily determinable fair values. Other trading assets include assets that are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and held for trading purposes. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise that is in the form of a security. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities (and other trading assets).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 137
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379141&loc=d3e15032-111544

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27405-111563

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Debt Security
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509901
-Topic 320

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Equity Security
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6511694
-Topic 320

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments And Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments And Contingencies

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal matters. From time to time, the Company is party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company is not presently party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which the Company believes would have a material effect on its business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Leases. The Company leases facilities under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. The terms of certain lease agreements provide for rental payments on a graduated basis. The Company recognizes rent expense on the straight-line basis over the lease period and has accrued for rent expense incurred but not paid. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $18.5 million, $15.4 million, and $10.4 million, respectively. Rent expense for the one month ended December 31, 2010 was $1.7 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company leased office space in New York, New York at two locations, One Chase Manhattan Plaza and 88 Pine Street, with combined annual base rents of $3.0 million. The lease at One Chase Manhattan Plaza ends in August 2012 and the lease at 88 Pine Street ends in December 2014.

On September 16, 2011, the Company entered into a new lease agreement with 7 World Trade Center, LLC, pursuant to which the Company will rent approximately 126,000 square feet of office space for its new corporate headquarters at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York (the "Lease"). The lease commenced on February 1, 2012 (the "Commencement Date") and the Company expects to begin occupying its new corporate headquarters in the 7 World Trade Center offices beginning in the second half of the year ending December 31, 2012.

The Lease is initially scheduled to expire on February 28, 2033, subject to the Company's option to renew the Lease for an additional ten years after the initial expiration date. The Company also has the option to terminate the Lease early on February 1, 2028, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Lease, including the payment of a termination fee. The aggregate rent over the life of the Lease is approximately $170.1 million plus certain customary expenses. From the Commencement Date through and including January 31, 2018, the day preceding the fifth anniversary of February 1, 2013 (the "Rent Commencement Date"), the annual rent paid will be approximately $7.3 million. Thereafter, the annual rent to be paid increases 10% on each of the fifth, tenth and fifteenth anniversaries of the Rent Commencement Date.

The Company leases facilities under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Future minimum commitments for these operating leases in place as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:


	Amount
Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012	$	20,413
2013		23,493
2014		23,176
2015		18,911
2016		18,089
Thereafter		182,288

Total	$	286,370

Long-term debt. On November 14, 2007, the Company entered into a secured $500.0 million credit facility that consisted of a $425.0 million term loan facility and a $75.0 million revolving credit facility (the "2007 Credit Facility"). On April 1, 2010 and April 15, 2010, the Company prepaid principal balances on its term loan facility portion of the 2007 Credit Facility of approximately $147.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively. On June 1, 2010, the Company paid $70.9 million to retire the 2007 Credit Facility.

On June 1, 2010, the Company entered into a senior secured credit agreement with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as collateral agent, and the other lenders party thereto, which was comprised of (i) a $1,275.0 million six-year term loan facility (the "2010 Term Loan") and (ii) a $100.0 million five-year revolving credit facility, which included a $25.0 million letter of credit subfacility and a $10.0 million swingline loan subfacility (the "Revolving Credit Facility" and together with the 2010 Term Loan, the "New Credit Facility"). The Company was required to repay 1.00% of the principal of the 2010 Term Loan per year in quarterly installments. The New Credit Facility also contained a number of mandatory prepayment requirements, including a requirement to repay a specified amount of the 2010 Term Loan annually from a portion of the Company's excess cash flows (as defined in the New Credit Facility, which varied based on the Company's leverage ratio). Any remaining principal of the 2010 Term Loan was to be payable on the final maturity date of the facility. In February 2011, the Company made a prepayment of $56.0 million on the 2010 Term Loan from its excess cash flows.

On March 14, 2011, MSCI completed the repricing of the New Credit Facility pursuant to Amendment No. 2 to the New Credit Facility ("Amendment No. 2"). Amendment No. 2 provided for the incurrence of a new senior secured loan (the "2011 Term Loan") in an aggregate principal amount of $1,125.0 million. The proceeds of the 2011 Term Loan, together with $87.6 million of cash on hand, were used to repay the remaining $1,212.6 million outstanding balance of the 2010 Term Loan in full. The 2011 Term Loan matures in March 2017. Amendment No. 2 decreased the interest rate applicable to the 2011 Term Loan from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 3.25% (with a leverage-based stepdown) to LIBOR plus 2.75% (with a leverage-based stepdown) and reduced the LIBOR floor applicable to the 2011 Term Loan from 1.50% to 1.00%. Prepayments or amendments of the 2011 Term Loan that constitute a "repricing transaction" (as defined in Amendment No. 2) will be subject to a premium of 1.00% of the 2011 Term Loan if prepaid or amended on or prior to March 14, 2012. Prepayments and repricings made after March 14, 2012 will not be subject to premium or penalty. For unused credit under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company pays an annual 0.75% non-usage fee. The Company incurred $6.1 million in fees associated with the repricing which are reflected in "other expense (income)" on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

On December 30, 2011, MSCI made a $35.0 million prepayment on the New Credit Facility, as amended. This prepayment did not constitute a "repricing transaction."

The obligations under the New Credit Facility, as amended, are guaranteed by each of our direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to limited exceptions. The obligations under the New Credit Facility, as amended, are secured by a lien on substantially all of the equity interests of MSCI's present and future domestic subsidiaries, up to 65% of the equity interests of MSCI's first-tier foreign subsidiaries, and substantially all of MSCI's and MSCI's domestic subsidiaries' present and future property and assets, subject to certain exceptions.

In connection with entering into the New Credit Facility, as amended, the Company capitalized deferred financing fees which are being amortized over four to seven years. The Company amortized $5.8 million of capitalized deferred financing fees associated with the New Credit Facility in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, $24.8 million of the capitalized deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $5.1 million of which is included in "prepaid and other assets" and $19.7 million of which is included in "other non-current assets" on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

Current maturities of long term debt at December 31, 2011 was $10.3 million, net of a $0.9 million discount. Long term debt, net of current maturities at December 31, 2011 was $1,066.6 million, net of a $3.8 million discount. Approximately $1.1 million of the debt discount associated with the New Credit Facility, as amended, was amortized in interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2011.

Current maturities of long term debt at December 31, 2010 was $54.9 million, net of a $1.1 million discount. Long term debt, net of current maturities at December 31, 2010 was $1,208.0 million, net of a $4.7 million discount.

The fair market value of the Company's debt obligations were $1,089.7 million and $1,281.3 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The fair market value was estimated based on market bid quotes.

The aggregate amount of all long-term debt principal to be repaid for the years following December 31, 2011, is as follows:


	Amount
For the Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012	$	11,250
2013		11,250
2014		11,250
2015		11,250
2016		11,250
Thereafter		1,025,313

Total	$	1,081,563

Interest Rate Swaps and Derivative Instruments. The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company's derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company's known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company's investments and borrowings.

The Company's objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. During the year ended December 31, 2011, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. As a result of the repayment of the 2010 Term Loan on March 14, 2011, the Company discontinued prospective hedge accounting on its then-existing interest rate swaps as they no longer met hedge accounting requirements. The Company will continue to report the net loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedges in Other Comprehensive Income and is expected to reclassify this amount into earnings during the contractual term of the swap agreements. On March 22, 2011, the Company terminated its then-existing interest rate swaps and simultaneously entered into new interest rate swaps to hedge its newly issued variable-rate debt. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had two outstanding interest rate swaps with a combined notional principal amount of $419.8 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company's variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $2.2 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The following table presents the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments and the location in which they are presented on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:


(In thousands)	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Location	As of December 31, 2011			As of December 31, 2010
Liability derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps	Other accrued liabilities	$	(2,387	)	$	(661	)

The following table presents the effect of the Company's financial derivatives and the location in which they are presented on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Consolidated Statements of Income:


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) for the Years Ended									Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion) for the Years Ended									Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Years Ended
(In thousands)	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009					December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009					December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(4,506	)	$	(2,628	)	$	(5,959	)		Interest expense	$	(2,062	)	$	(3,072	)	$	(4,221	)		Interest expense	$	35	$	(3,088	)	$	—

Derivatives
in Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
for the One Month
Ended

Location of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income into Income
(Effective Portion)

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income into
Income (Effective
Portion) for
One Month Ended

Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective Portion
and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing)

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
(IneffectivePortion
and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing) for the One
Month Ended

(In thousands)

December 31, 2010

Interest rate swaps

968

Interest expense

(143

)

Interest expense

—

Credit-risk-related contingent features. The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. As of December 31, 2011, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $2.7 million. As of December 31, 2011, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If the Company breaches any of these provisions, it could be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value.

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)
-Number 14
-Paragraph 3
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 440
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

Fair Value Measures

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measures

8. FAIR VALUE MEASURES

The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011:


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2011		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	(In thousands)
*Assets:*
Cash and cash equivalents	$	252,211	$	225,211	$	27,000

Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities		135,492		—		135,492
Tradable certificates of deposit		4,998		—		4,998

Total short-term investments		140,490		—		140,490

Total financial assets	$	392,701	$	225,211	$	167,490

*Liabilities:*
Interest rate swaps	$	2,387	$	—	$	2,387

The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010:


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2010		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	(In thousands)
*Assets:*
Cash and cash equivalents	$	269,423	$	266,519	$	2,904

Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities		66,948		—		66,948
Commercial paper		4,252		—		4,252
State and municipal securities		1,617		—		1,617

Total short-term investments		72,817		—		72,817

Total financial assets	$	342,240	$	266,519	$	75,721

*Liabilities:*
Interest rate swaps	$	661	$	—	$	661

The Company's financial assets and liabilities are valued using market prices on both active markets (Level 1) and less active markets (Level 2). The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the periods presented. The Company does not hold any financial instruments that would be valued using Level 3 inputs as of the periods presented.

The Company's cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and U.S. Treasury securities, tradable certificates of deposit, commercial paper and state and municipal securities with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase. The Company's U.S. Treasury securities, tradable certificates of deposit, commercial paper and state and municipal securities are classified within Level 2, as there is not an active market for these securities, but the market pricing data used to calculate the value of the instruments are derived from similar securities traded in active markets.

The Company's interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2, as they are valued using pricing models that take into account the contract terms as well as multiple observable inputs where applicable, such as equity prices, interest rate yield curves, option volatility and currency rates.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 44A, 44B
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15C, 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph a-d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 15B
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 107
-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32, 33, 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 159
-Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 21
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13504-108611

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements [Abstract]

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements

9. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consisted of the following:


	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	70,170		$	53,240
Furniture & fixtures		4,868			4,689
Leasehold improvements		22,219			20,400
Work-in-process		454			2,302

Subtotal		97,711			80,631
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(60,088	)		(44,908	)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	37,623		$	35,723

Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $19.4 million, $17.4 million and $12.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $1.8 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010.

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill And Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill And Intangible Assets

10. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill.

The Company carries goodwill as a result of its acquisitions of Barra, RiskMetrics and Measurisk. (See Note 1, "Introduction And Basis Of Presentation," for further information about MSCI's accounting policy regarding goodwill.)

Changes in the carrying amount of the Company's goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2011 was as follows:


	Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2010	$	1,706,671
Changes to goodwill⁽¹⁾		1,914

Goodwill at December 31, 2011	$	1,708,585

(1)	Resulting from the finalization of the valuation of the acquired RiskMetrics assets and liabilities.

Intangible Assets.

Intangible assets consist of those definite-lived intangibles from the acquisitions of Barra in June 2004, RiskMetrics in June 2010 and Measurisk in July 2010. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment when impairment indicators are present, and, if impaired, written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. No impairment of intangible assets has been identified during any of the periods presented. The Company has no indefinite-lived intangibles.

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, was $65.8 million, $41.6 million and $25.6 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the one month ended December 31, 2010 was $5.6 million.

The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company's identifiable intangible assets are as follows:


	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2011
Customer relationships	$	459,010	$	(61,003	)	$	398,007
Trademarks/trade names		243,440		(49,336	)		194,104
Technology/software		191,430		(141,457	)		49,973
Proprietary process		3,800		(1,003	)		2,797
Non-compete agreements		2,780		(2,780	)		—

Total intangible assets	$	900,460	$	(255,579	)	$	644,881


	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2010
Customer relationships	$	461,690	$	(32,130	)	$	429,560
Trademarks/trade names		243,440		(36,456	)		206,984
Technology/software		194,317		(125,575	)		68,742
Proprietary process		3,800		(369	)		3,431
Non-compete agreements		2,780		(1,081	)		1,699
Transition agreements		720		(450	)		270

Total intangible assets	$	906,747	$	(196,061	)	$	710,686

Estimated amortization expense for succeeding years is presented below:


For the Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
For the Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012		62,959
2013		53,087
2014		52,864
2015		52,787
2016		50,649
Thereafter		372,535

Total	$	644,881

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

Employee Benefits	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefits	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	11. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan for eligible U.S. employees and defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of its non-U.S. employees. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, costs relating to 401(k), pension and post-retirement benefit expenses were $15.9 million, $8.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, and $0.8 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. Amounts included in cost of services were $9.8 million, $5.2 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $0.5 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. Amounts included in selling, general and administrative expense related to these pension and post-retirement expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 were $6.1 million, $3.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and $0.3 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. 401(k) and Other Defined Contribution Plans. Eligible employees may participate in the MSCI 401(k) plan (or any other regional defined contribution plan sponsored by MSCI) immediately upon hire. Eligible employees receive 401(k) and other defined contribution plan matching contributions and, in the case of the MSCI 401(k) plan, an additional Company contribution of 3% of the employees' cash compensation, which is subject to vesting and certain other limitations. Prior to January 1, 2011, RiskMetrics employees participated in the legacy RiskMetrics 401(k) plan (or any other regional defined contribution plan sponsored) and received 401(k) and other defined contribution plan matching contributions. The Company's expenses associated with the 401(k) plan and other defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 were $14.0 million, $6.8 million and $5.7 million, respectively, and $0.7 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. Net Periodic Benefit Expense. Net periodic benefit expense incurred by the Company related to defined benefit pension plans was $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $0.1 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 to calculate obligations under its pension and postretirement plans. As of December 31, 2011, the Company carried a $5.1 million net liability on its books related to its future pension obligations. The fair value of the defined benefit plan assets was $19.4 million at December 31, 2011.

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph q
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph m
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-2
-Paragraph 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 30
-Paragraph 26
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 20, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 158
-Paragraph 7, 21, 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)
-Number FAS88
-Paragraph 63
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

Share-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Share-Based Compensation

12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

MSCI Share-Based Compensation Awards

On November 6, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors approved the award of founders grants to its employees in the form of restricted stock units and/or options ("Founders Grant Award"). The aggregate value of the grants, which were made on November 14, 2007, was approximately $68.0 million. The restricted stock units and options vested over a four-year period, with 50% vesting on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% vesting on each of the third and fourth anniversary of the grant date. The options have an exercise price per share of $18.00 and have a term of 10 years, subject to earlier cancellation in certain circumstances. The aggregate value of the options was calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation method consistent with ASC Subtopic 718-10, "Compensation-Stock Compensation." The final tranche of the Founders Grant Award, representing one-fourth of the total award, vested on November 14, 2011.

On December 16, 2008, the Company, as a component of the 2008 annual bonus, awarded certain of its employees with a grant in the form of restricted stock units ("2008 Bonus Award"). The aggregate value of the grants was approximately $9.5 million of restricted stock units. The restricted stock units vest one-third per year over a three year period. Approximately $4.2 million of this grant was awarded to retirement-eligible employees under the award terms. Based on interpretive guidance related to ASC Subtopic 718-10, the Company accrues the estimated cost of these awards over the course of the fiscal year in which the award is earned. As such, the Company accrued the estimated cost of the 2008 Bonus Award related to retirement-eligible employees over the 2008 fiscal year. The final tranche of the 2008 Bonus Award vested on January 9, 2012.

On December 16, 2009, the Company, as a component of the 2009 annual bonus, awarded certain of its employees with a grant in the form of restricted stock units ("2009 Bonus Award"). The aggregate value of the grants was approximately $13.2 million of restricted stock units. The restricted stock units vest over a three year period, with one-third vesting on December 20, 2010, December 19, 2011 and December 17, 2012, respectively. Approximately $5.1 million of this grant was awarded to retirement-eligible employees under the award terms. The Company accrued the estimated cost of the 2009 Bonus Award granted to retirement-eligible employees over the 2009 fiscal year. The final tranche of the 2009 Bonus Award will vest on December 17, 2012.

On June 1, 2010, the Company reserved approximately 4.2 million shares of Common Stock for outstanding vested and unvested stock options and 0.1 million shares of Common Stock for outstanding unvested restricted stock awards assumed as part of the acquisition of RiskMetrics. Over an approximate three and a half year period from the date assumed, $16.7 million is expected to be expensed for unvested stock options and $1.3 million for unvested restricted stock awards.

On June 1, 2010, the Company awarded certain of its employees with a grant in the form of restricted stock units ("Performance Award"). The Performance Award will performance-vest based upon the Company achieving specific performance targets over a measurement period ending on December 31, 2012 and time-vest over a 31 month period, with one-half time-vested on December 1, 2011 and one-half time-vesting on December 31, 2012. The aggregate value of the grants was approximately $15.9 million.

On December 10, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant of a special one-time price and time vested stock option award to the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("2010 CEO Award"). The award was valued using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock at the close of business on December 13, 2010. The CEO Award time-vests over a five year period, with approximately 25% of the award vesting on each of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant and is subject to certain market performance .

On December 14, 2010, the Company, as a component of the 2010 annual bonus, awarded a portion of its employees with a grant in the form of restricted stock units ("2010 Bonus Award"). The aggregate value of the grants was approximately $18.9 million. Approximately $6.2 million was awarded to retirement eligible employees under the award terms, $0.5 million of which was expensed during the one month ended December 31, 2010. A portion of the 2010 Bonus Award consisted of restricted stock units vesting over a three year period, with one-third vesting on each anniversary of the grant in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. A smaller portion of the 2010 Bonus Award consisted of restricted stock units subject to achieving both specific performance targets over a measurement period ending on December 31, 2012 and a time-vesting period, with one-half time vesting on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

In February 2012, the Company, as a component of the 2011 annual bonus, awarded a portion of its employees with a grant in the form of restricted stock units ("2011 Bonus Award"). The total number of units granted was 632,572. The aggregate value of the grants was approximately $21.2 million. Approximately $6.7 million was awarded to retirement eligible employees under the award terms which had been expensed in the year ended December 31, 2011.

For the Performance Award and the 2010 CEO Award, all or a portion of the award may be cancelled in certain limited situations, including termination for cause, if employment is terminated before the end of the relevant restriction period. For the remainder of the awards granted by the Company, all or a portion of the award may be cancelled if employment is terminated for certain reasons before the end of the relevant restriction period for non-retirement-eligible employees.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company awarded 7,840 shares of Common Stock and 21,259 restricted stock units to directors who were not employees of the Company during the period.

In connection with awards under its equity-based compensation and benefit plans, the Company is authorized to issue shares of Common Stock held in treasury or newly issued shares.

The components of share-based compensation expense related to the awards to Company employees and directors who are not employees of the Company of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards (representing shares of Common Stock) and options to purchase shares of Common Stock, as applicable, are presented below (in thousands):


	For the Years Ended						One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Deferred stock	$	27,067	$	24,632	$	28,987	$	2,080
Stock options		4,682		7,653		6,174		752

Total	$	31,749	$	32,285	$	35,161	$	2,832

The amount of this expense included in cost of services for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $12.4 million, $12.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively, and $1.4 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. The amount of this expense included in selling, general and administrative expense for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $19.3 million, $17.3 million and $23.0 million, respectively, and $1.4 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. The amount of this expense included in restructuring expense was less than $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and was $3.0 million for the year ended November 30, 2010.

The tax benefits for share-based compensation expense related to deferred stock and stock options granted to Company employees and to directors who are not employees of the Company were $7.3 million, $8.5 million and $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The tax benefits for share-based compensation expense related to deferred stock and stock options granted to Company employees and to directors who are not employees of the Company were $0.3 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010.

As of December 31, 2011, approximately $16.9 million of compensation cost related to MSCI unvested share-based awards granted to the Company's employees and to directors who are not employees of the Company had not yet been recognized. The unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested stock-based awards expected to vest will be recognized primarily over the next one to three years.

In connection with awards under its equity-based compensation and benefit plans, the Company is authorized to issue shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 10.7 million shares of Common Stock were available for future grant under these plans.

Deferred Stock Awards. Certain Company employees have been granted deferred stock awards pursuant to its share-based compensation plan. The plan provides for the deferral of a portion of certain employees' discretionary compensation with awards made in the form of the right to receive restricted stock units and restricted stock awards. Recipients of deferred stock generally have rights to receive dividend equivalents that are not subject to vesting.

The following table sets forth activity concerning the Company's vested and unvested deferred stock awards applicable to its employees (share data in thousands):


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at November 30, 2010		1,882		$	24.38
Granted		514		$	36.70
Conversion to common stock		(125	)	$	33.34
Canceled		—		$	30.16

Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2010		2,271		$	26.68
Granted		81		$	34.47
Conversion to common stock		(1,032	)	$	22.54
Canceled		(74	)	$	29.78

Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2011⁽¹⁾		1,246		$	30.42

(1)	As of December 31, 2011, approximately 1,223 restricted stock units and restricted stock awards, with a weighted average price of $30.34, were vested or expected to vest.

The total fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards held by the Company's employees converted to MSCI common stock during the year ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $35.2 million, $34.3 million and $45.3 million, respectively, and $4.7 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010.

The following table sets forth activity concerning the Company's unvested deferred stock awards related to its employees (share data in thousands):


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested deferred stock awards at November 30, 2010⁽¹⁾		1,549		$	24.48
Granted		332		$	36.70
Vested		(74	)	$	33.15
Canceled		—		$	30.16

Unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2010		1,807		$	24.38
Granted		81		$	34.47
Vested		(865	)	$	21.84
Canceled		(74	)	$	29.78

Unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2011		949		$	30.90

Unvested deferred stock awards expected to vest		926		$	30.80

(1)	Unvested deferred stock awards represent awards where recipients have yet to satisfy either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligibility requirements.

Stock Option Awards. On December 10, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the grant of a special one-time price and time vested stock option award of 208,175 units to the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("2010 CEO Award"). The award was valued using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock at the close of business on December 13, 2010. The CEO Award time-vests over a five year period, with approximately 25% of the award vesting on each of the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant, and is subject to certain market performance. No MSCI stock options were issued during the year ended December 31, 2011. The weighted average fair value of MSCI stock options issued by the Company in the one month ended December 31, 2010 was $17.08, utilizing the following assumptions:


	Assumptions
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	17.08
Risk free interest rate		3.26	%
Expected stock price volatility		36.31	%
Expected dividend yield		—

The expected stock price volatility assumption was determined using the historical volatility of the Company and its peers. Because the Company did not have sufficient share price history to calculate the historical volatility of MSCI Common Stock, the Company believes that the combination of its own and its peers' historical volatility is the most reliable data for the purposes of estimating the expected volatility.

The following table sets forth activity concerning MSCI stock options granted to the Company's employees for the year ended December 31, 2011 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010 (option data and dollar values in thousands, except exercise price):


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregated Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at November 30, 2010		4,557		$	17.54		6.47		N/A
Granted or assumed		208		$	36.70		N/A		N/A
Forfeited		(49	)	$	21.78		N/A		N/A
Conversion to common stock		(5	)	$	24.77		N/A		N/A

Options outstanding at December 31, 2010		4,711		$	18.33		5.82		N/A
Granted or assumed		—		$	—		N/A		N/A
Forfeited		(180	)	$	21.23		N/A		N/A
Conversion to common stock		(1,006	)	$	16.33		N/A		N/A

Options outstanding at December 31, 2011		3,525		$	18.76		5.63	$	50,748

Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		3,022		$	17.27		5.20	$	47,322

Options vested or expected to vest		3,502		$	18.73		5.62	$	50,507

The following table presents information relating to the Company's outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2011 (number of options outstanding and aggregate intrinsic value data in thousands):


At December 31, 2011	Options Outstanding
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$2.76 to $16.48		905	$	10.20		4.49	$	20,574
$18.00		1,282	$	18.00		5.41	$	19,140
$20.45 to $25.64		1,130	$	23.16		6.18	$	11,034
$36.70		208	$	36.70		8.95	$	—

Total		3,525					$	50,748

The following table presents information relating to the Company's exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2011 (number of options outstanding and aggregate intrinsic value data in thousands):


At December 31, 2011	Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$2.76 to $16.48		779	$	9.22		4.06	$	18,470
$18.00		1,282	$	18.00		5.41	$	19,140
$20.45 to $25.64		961	$	22.83		5.86	$	9,712
$36.70		—	$	36.70		8.95	$	—

Total		3,022					$	47,322

The intrinsic value of the stock options exercised by the Company's employees during the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $19.4 million, $17.4 and $0.6 million, respectively, and $0.1 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010.

Morgan Stanley Share-based Compensation Awards

Prior to May 22, 2009, Morgan Stanley owned a controlling interest in the Company and, as such, was treated as a related party. On May 22, 2009, Morgan Stanley sold all of its remaining shares of the Company's stock. Certain employees of the Company had received share-based compensation under Morgan Stanley's executive compensation programs. The fair value of Morgan Stanley-related restricted stock units was determined based on the number of units granted and the grant date fair value of Morgan Stanley common stock, measured as the volume-weighted average price on the date of grant. The fair value of Morgan Stanley-related stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the single grant life method. Under the single grant life method, option awards with graded vesting are valued using a single weighted-average expected option life.

No expense related to Morgan Stanley shared-based compensation awards was recognized in either cost of services or selling, general and administrative expense in the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010. During the year ended November 30, 2009, the Company recognized $0.6 million of expense associated with Morgan Stanley deferred stock awards granted to employees of the Company and $0.1 million of expense associated with Morgan Stanley stock options granted to employees of the Company. The amount of expense included in cost of services in the year ended November 30, 2009 was $0.1 million and in selling, general and administrative expense was $0.6 million.

No Morgan Stanley stock options were exercised by the Company's employees during the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 or 2009 or during the one month ended December 31, 2010.

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64, 65, A240
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 93-6
-Paragraph 53
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 14

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 50
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6406099&loc=d3e25284-112666

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5444-113901

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418621&loc=d3e17540-113929

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes

13. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes (benefits) consisted of (in thousands):


	For the Years Ended									For the One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
Current
U.S. federal	$	53,041		$	36,386		$	45,957		$	1,487
U.S. state and local		12,573			9,452			10,714			931
Non U.S.		18,720			14,557			7,587			1,462

		84,334			60,395			64,258			3,880

Deferred
U.S. federal		12,412			4,091			(12,940	)		2,864
U.S. state and local		(2,643	)		(1,954	)		(919	)		235
Non U.S.		(4,144	)		(1,211	)		(479	)		(247	)

		5,625			926			(14,338	)		2,852

Provision for income taxes	$	89,959		$	61,321		$	49,920		$	6,732

The following table reconciles the provision to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate:


	For the Years Ended									For the One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		35.00	%		35.00	%		35.00	%		35.00	%
U.S. state and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefits		2.45	%		3.13	%		3.63	%		3.63	%
Change in tax rates applicable to non-U.S. earnings		(3.33	%)		0.33	%		(0.64	%)		(1.05	%)
Domestic tax credits		(0.95	%)		—	%		(0.96	%)		(4.55	%)
Other		0.98	%		1.49	%		0.87	%		(0.28	%)

Effective income tax rate		34.15	%		39.95	%		37.90	%		32.75	%

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were as follows (in thousands):


	As of
	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Deferred tax assets:
Employee compensation and benefit plans	$	26,895		$	26,356
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		2,044			4,458
State taxes		2,192			2,192
Interest rate swap		1,215			258
Foreign currency translation		1,663			(48	)
Pension		171			129
Unearned revenue		1,445			1,843
NOL carryforward – current		466			22,917
NOL carryforward – non-current		3,198			10,098
Other		5,969			5,131

Subtotal		45,258			73,334
Less: valuation allowance		(779	)		(1,065	)

Total deferred tax assets	$	44,479		$	72,269

Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	$	(242,500	)	$	(265,987	)
Other		(1,483	)		(2,904	)

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(243,983	)	$	(268,891	)

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(199,504	)	$	(196,622	)

Net current deferred tax asset	$	40,952		$	57,525
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		(240,456	)		(254,147	)

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(199,504	)	$	(196,622	)

Cumulative earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries were approximately $121.1 million, $48.6 million and $25.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $49.9 million for the one month ended December 31, 2010. No provisions for income tax that could occur upon repatriation have been recorded on these earnings. Except to the extent such earnings can be repatriated tax efficiently, they are permanently invested abroad. It is not practicable to determine the amount of income taxes payable in the event all such foreign earnings are repatriated.

The Company changed its intention to now permanently reinvest the undistributed earnings of MSCI Ltd. (except for the entities directly held by MSCI Ltd.), RiskMetrics (UK) Ltd., and RiskMetrics (Singapore) Pte Ltd. during the year ended December 31, 2011. With this change, the Company intends to permanently reinvest the undistributed earnings of all foreign operations indefinitely except for any entities that are branches of U.S. companies or check-the-box entities that have elected to be treated as disregarded entities for U.S. tax purposes and are held directly by a U.S. company or MSCI Ltd. As a result of this change, the Company no longer accrues for the U.S. taxes that would be recognized upon repatriation of these earnings.

The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which it files income tax returns. The Company has established unrecognized tax benefits that the Company believes are adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments. Once established, the Company adjusts unrecognized tax benefits only when more information is available or when an event occurs necessitating a change. As part of the Company's periodic review of unrecognized tax benefits and based on new information regarding the status of federal and state examinations, the Company's unrecognized tax benefits were remeasured. It is reasonably possible that significant changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months. At this time, however, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the expected change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the impact on the effective tax rate over the next 12 months.

The Company believes the resolution of tax matters will not have a material effect on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition of the Company, although a resolution could have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for a particular future period and on the Company's effective tax rate for any period in which such resolution occurs.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010:


Gross unrecognized tax benefits	Year Ended December 31, 2011			Year Ended November 30, 2010			Year Ended November 30, 2009			One Month Ended December 31, 2010
(amounts in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	13,392		$	10,974		$	2,625		$	13,089
Increases based on tax positions related to the current period		—			1,516			466			154
Increases based on tax positions related to prior periods⁽¹⁾		1,061			3,773			8,796			160
Decreases based on tax positions related to prior periods		(1,132	)		(317	)		(349	)		(11	)
Increases/ (Decreases) related to settlements with taxing authorities		(153	)		(887	)		(564	)		—
Increases/(Decreases) related to a lapse of applicable statute of limitations		—			(1,970	)		—			—

Ending balance	$	13,168		$	13,089		$	10,974		$	13,392

(1)	Includes $3.8 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was approximately $10.6 million, net of federal benefit of state issues, competent authority and foreign tax credit offsets, as of December 31, 2011, which, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate in future periods. The Company recognizes the accrual of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the Provision for Income Taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recognized $0.6 million of interest in the Consolidated Statement of Income. No penalties were recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

The Company is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("the IRS") and other tax authorities in certain countries, such as Japan, India and the United Kingdom, and states in which the Company has significant business operations, such as New York and California. The tax years currently under examination vary by jurisdiction.

Subsequent to the tax year ended November 30, 2010, Morgan Stanley reached a preliminary settlement with the New York State and New York City tax authorities on issues relating to years 2002 -2006. However, no additional assessments have yet been issued. The Company expects to settle during the year ended December 31, 2012 and to indemnify Morgan Stanley for any additional assessments deemed to be due in accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement.

The following table summarizes the major taxing jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate and the open tax years for each major jurisdiction:


Tax Jurisdiction	Open Tax Years
United States		2005 – 2010
California		2008 – 2010
New York State		2007 – 2010
New York City		2005 – 2010
Hong Kong		2004 – 2010
United Kingdom		2010
Canada		2005 – 2010
Japan		2009 – 2010
India		2008 – 2011

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph h
-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 136, 172
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 109
-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]

Segment Information

14. SEGMENT INFORMATION

ASC Subtopic 280-10, "Segment Reporting," establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. MSCI's Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be its chief operating decision maker, or CODM, reviews financial information presented on an operating segment basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Prior to June 1, 2010, the Company assessed that it operated in a single business segment based on its historical integration and management strategies. As a result of MSCI's acquisition of RiskMetrics, MSCI began operating as two segments, the Performance and Risk business and the Governance business. These designations have been made as the discrete operating results of these segments are reviewed by the Company's CODM for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.

The Performance and Risk business is a leading global provider of investment decision support tools, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, credit analytics and ESG products. The business provides clients with a broad suite of products and services to assist them with managing equity, fixed income and multi-asset class portfolios. The products are used in many areas of the investment process, including portfolio construction and rebalancing, performance benchmarking and attribution, risk management and analysis, index-linked investment product creation, asset allocation, assessment of social responsibility, environmental stewardship and the effects of climate change on investments, investment manager selection and investment research.

The Governance business is a leading provider of corporate governance products and specialized financial research and analysis services to institutional shareholders and corporations around the world. Among other things, the Governance business facilitates the voting of proxies by institutional investors and provides in-depth research and analysis to help inform their voting decisions and identify issuer-specific risk. It offers both global security coverage and fully integrated products and services, including proxy voting, policy creation, research, vote recommendations, vote execution, post-vote disclosure and reporting and analytical tools. Within a firewall, a separate unit of the Governance business also provides products and services to corporate clients who may use those products and services to learn about and improve their governance and executive compensation practices.

Revenues and expenses directly associated with each respective segment are included in determining its operating results. Other expenses that are not directly attributable to a particular segment are allocated based upon allocation methodologies, including time studies, headcount, net revenues and other relevant usage measures.

The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis. Operating segments do not record intersegment revenue, and, accordingly, there is none to be reported. The accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for MSCI as a whole.

The following table presents MSCI's operating segments' results for the years ended December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010:


	Years Ended						One Month Ended
(in thousands)	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Operating revenues
Performance and Risk	$	781,355	$	604,307	$	442,948	$	61,841
Governance		119,586		58,594		—		10,683

Consolidated	$	900,941	$	662,901	$	442,948	$	72,524

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
Performance and Risk	$	67,558	$	51,028	$	37,511	$	6,038
Governance		17,672		7,984		—		1,324

Consolidated	$	85,230	$	59,012	$	37,511	$	7,362

Operating income
Performance and Risk	$	310,504	$	200,369	$	150,992	$	24,601
Governance		11,494		5,754		—		2,068

Consolidated	$	321,998	$	206,123	$	150,992	$	26,669

Revenue by geography is based on the shipping address of the customer. The following table sets forth revenue for the periods indicated by geographic area:


	For the Years Ended						One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Americas:
United States	$	457,591	$	329,773	$	212,763	$	37,882
Other		32,188		23,546		14,425		2,583

Total Americas		489,779		353,319		227,188		40,465

Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		106,648		86,136		56,232		8,950
Other		180,600		128,934		83,922		13,917

Total EMEA		287,248		215,070		140,154		22,867

Asia & Australia:
Japan		58,023		46,872		41,805		4,358
Other		65,891		47,640		33,801		4,834

Total Asia & Australia		123,914		94,512		75,606		9,192

Total	$	900,941	$	662,901	$	442,948	$	72,524

Long-lived assets consist of property, equipment, leasehold improvements, goodwill and intangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. The following table sets forth long-lived assets on the dates indicated by geographic area:


	As of
	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
Americas:
United States	$	2,369,997	$	2,430,287
Other		5,145		3,229

Total Americas		2,375,142		2,433,516

EMEA:
United Kingdom		5,107		5,520
Other		5,617		7,756

Total EMEA		10,724		13,276

Asia & Australia:
Japan		364		448
Other		4,859		5,840

Total Asia & Australia		5,223		6,288

Total	$	2,391,089	$	2,453,080

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 131
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 35
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8984-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9054-108599

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9031-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8538-108599

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 29
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8864-108599

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8971-108599

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 26
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8844-108599

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

Quarterly Results Of Operations [Abstract]

Quarterly Results Of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Results Of Operations

15. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited):


	2011												2010
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter⁽¹⁾			Second Quarter⁽¹⁾			Third Quarter⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾			Fourth Quarter⁽¹⁾
	(in thousands)												(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	223,298		$	226,483		$	225,026		$	226,134		$	121,680		$	125,170		$	202,733		$	213,318

Cost of services		70,218			68,840			68,968			69,121			29,291			30,463			69,741			69,131
Selling, general and administrative		51,418			53,321			53,724			54,509			37,461			40,177			63,306			49,300
Restructuring		4,431			40			(1,002	)		125			—			—			6,953			1,943
Amortization of intangible assets		16,692			16,423			16,422			16,268			4,278			4,277			16,350			16,694
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		5,110			5,168			4,669			4,478			3,393			3,556			4,934			5,530

Total operating expenses		147,869			143,792			142,781			144,501			74,423			78,473			161,284			142,598

Operating income		75,429			82,691			82,245			81,633			47,257			46,697			41,449			70,720
Interest income		(143	)		(186	)		(184	)		(335	)		(408	)		(343	)		(114	)		(128	)
Interest expense		16,587			12,852			13,113			13,267			4,436			8,991			20,415			17,495
Other expense (income)		5,641			383			(983	)		(1,427	)		(608	)		98			524			2,274

Other expense (income), net		22,085			13,049			11,946			11,505			3,420			8,746			20,825			19,641

Income before provision for income taxes		53,344			69,642			70,299			70,128			43,837			37,951			20,624			51,079
Provision for income taxes		19,823			23,982			20,512			25,642			16,319			13,884			10,305			20,813

Net income	$	33,521		$	45,660		$	49,787		$	44,486		$	27,518		$	24,067		$	10,319		$	30,266

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.28		$	0.38		$	0.41		$	0.37		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.09		$	0.25

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.27		$	0.37		$	0.40		$	0.36		$	0.26		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.25

Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share data
Basic		120,282			120,592			120,831			121,146			105,235			105,345			118,339			119,309

Diluted		122,013			122,235			122,303			122,536			105,844			106,003			120,341			121,172

(1)

(2)	The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

Transition Period Financial Information [Abstract]

Transition Period Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Transition Period Financial Information

16. TRANSITION PERIOD FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The table below presents certain audited financial information for the one month ended December 31, 2010 and certain unaudited financial information for the one month ended December 31, 2009:


	One Month Ended December 31,
	2010		2009 (unaudited)
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues	$	72,524	$	40,487

Operating income	$	26,669	$	16,540

Provision for income taxes	$	6,732	$	5,651

Net income	$	13,824	$	9,259

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.11	$	0.09

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.11	$	0.09

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Management of the Company evaluated subsequent events from January 1, 2012 through the issuance date of this Form 10-K.

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis Of Financial Statements And Use Of Estimates

Basis of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates

Inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

•

The delivered item has stand-alone value to the client,

•

There is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered item(s), and

•

If the arrangement includes a general right of return, delivery or performance of the undelivered items is considered probable and substantially in the control of the vendor.

The Company has signed subscription agreements with substantially all of its clients that set forth the fees paid to it by the clients. Further, the Company regularly assesses the receivable balances for each client. The Company's subscription agreements for software products include provisions that, among other things, would allow clients to receive unspecified future software upgrades for no additional fee as well as the right to use the software products with maintenance for the term of the agreement, typically one year. As it does not have vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") for these elements (except for the support related to energy and commodity asset valuation products), the Company does not account for these elements separately. Accordingly, except for revenues related to energy and commodity asset valuation products, the Company recognizes revenue ratably over the term of the license agreement.

The Company recognizes revenue when all the following criteria are met:

•

the client has signed a contract with it;

•

the service has been rendered;

•

the amount of the fee is fixed or determinable based on the terms of the contract; and

•

collectability is reasonably assured.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

Research And Development And Software Capitalization

Research and Development and Software Capitalization

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred Revenue

Deferred Revenue

Goodwill

Goodwill

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and money market and debt security investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase.

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

Hedging Instruments

Hedging Instruments

Fair Value Of Financial Assets And Liabilities

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company's financial assets and liabilities include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and interest rate swaps.


Level 1		Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2		Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3		Valuations based on one or more inputs that are both significant to fair value measurement and unobservable.

The fair value of certain level 2 financial liabilities may include valuation adjustments for our counterparties' and our credit quality.

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

The Company holds repurchased shares of Common Stock as treasury stock. We account for treasury stock under the cost method and include treasury stock as a component of shareholders' equity.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

<div class="MetaData"> Allowance for Doubtful Accounts An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded when it is probable and estimable that a receivable will not be collected. Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts from December 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 were as follows: <div class="MetaData"> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" align="center"> <tr><td width="88%"> </td> <td valign="bottom" width="10%"> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="border-bottom: #000000 1px solid;" valign="bottom" colspan="2" align="center">Amount</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" colspan="2" align="center">(in thousands)</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Balance as of November 30, 2008</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom">$</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">712</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Addition to provision</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">977</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Amounts written off, net of recoveries</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">(842</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">) </td></tr> <tr style="font-size: 1px;"><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Balance as of November 30, 2009</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom">$</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">847</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Addition to provision(1)</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">931</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Amounts written off, net of recoveries</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">(765</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">) </td></tr> <tr style="font-size: 1px;"><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Balance as of November 30, 2010</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">1,013</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Reduction to provision</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">(133</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">) </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Amounts written off, net of recoveries</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">(3</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">) </td></tr> <tr style="font-size: 1px;"><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Balance as of December 31, 2010</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom">$</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">877</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Addition to provision</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">545</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> Amounts written off, net of recoveries</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">(565</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap">) </td></tr> <tr style="font-size: 1px;"><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#cceeff"><td valign="top"> Balance as of December 31, 2011</td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom">$</td> <td valign="bottom" align="right">857</td> <td valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr> <tr style="font-size: 1px;"><td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td valign="bottom"> </td> <td> </td></tr></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="MetaData" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tr><td valign="top" width="3%" align="left">(1)</td> <td class="MetaData" valign="top" align="left">Includes an allowance of $0.3 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010. </td></tr></table></div></div>

Accrued Compensation

Accrued Compensation

Concentrations

Concentrations

For the years ended December 31, 2011, November 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the one month ended December 31, 2010, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of the Company's operating revenues.

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Changes In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts


	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of November 30, 2008	$	712
Addition to provision		977
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(842	)

Balance as of November 30, 2009	$	847
Addition to provision⁽¹⁾		931
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(765	)

Balance as of November 30, 2010		1,013
Reduction to provision		(133	)
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(3	)

Balance as of December 31, 2010	$	877
Addition to provision		545
Amounts written off, net of recoveries		(565	)

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	857

(1)	Includes an allowance of $0.3 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Purchase Price


(in thousands)
Cash	$	1,146,702
MSCI class A common stock valued using the New York Stock Exchange closing price on June 1, 2010		371,815
Fair value of outstanding vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards assumed		53,879

Total purchase price	$	1,572,396

Purchase Price Allocation


(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	76,459
Trade receivables		33,577
Other assets		32,398
Goodwill		1,245,862
Intangible assets		628,120
Accounts payable and other liabilities		(48,494	)
Debt		(107,485	)
Deferred revenues		(114,686	)
Deferred tax liabilities, net		(173,355	)

Total purchase price	$	1,572,396

Components Of Intangible Assets Acquired


	Estimated Fair Value		Estimated Useful Life
	(in thousands)
Customer relationships	$	428,600		14 to 15 years
Technology/Software		52,640		3 to 7 years
Proprietary processes		3,800		6 years
Trademarks/trade names		140,300		10 to 20 years
Non-compete agreements		2,780		1.5 years

Total	$	628,120

Revenue Information


(in thousands)	Year Ended November 30, 2010
Total revenues	$	152,301

Net income	$	10,080

Pro Forma Financial Information


	Year Ended November 30,
(in thousands)	2010		2009
	(unaudited)
Operating revenues	$	816,419	$	746,309

Cost of services		272,939		258,955
Selling, general and administrative		199,290		201,425
Restructuring		8,896		—
Amortization of intangible assets		64,477		73,164
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		21,660		20,306

Total operating expenses		567,262		553,850

Operating income		249,157		192,459

Other expense (income), net		71,430		67,744

Income before provision for income taxes		177,727		124,715
Provision for income taxes		66,896		44,863

Net income	$	110,831	$	79,852

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.91	$	0.68

Pro Forma Information By Segment


	Year Ended November 30, 2010						Year Ended November 30, 2009
	(unaudited)
(in thousands)	Performance and Risk		Governance		Total		Performance and Risk		Governance		Total
Operating revenues	$	693,178	$	123,241	$	816,419	$	613,890	$	132,419	$	746,309

Cost of services		205,582		67,357		272,939		191,346		67,609		258,955
Selling, general and administrative		175,679		23,611		199,290		169,966		31,459		201,425
Restructuring		6,673		2,223		8,896		—		—		—
Amortization of intangible assets		51,137		13,340		64,477		59,764		13,400		73,164
Depreciation expense		18,224		3,436		21,660		16,393		3,913		20,306

Total operating expenses		457,295		109,967		567,262		437,469		116,381		553,850

Operating income		235,883		13,274		249,157		176,421		16,038		192,459
Other expense (income), net						71,430						67,744

Income before provision for income taxes						177,727						124,715
Provision for income taxes						66,896						44,863

Net income					$	110,831					$	79,852

Tabular disclosure of pro forma results of operations for a material business acquisition or series of individually immaterial business acquisitions that are material in the aggregate.

Summary Of Changes In Accrued Restructuring Charges

Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Restructuring [Abstract]


	MSCI Restructuring Plan
(in thousands)	Severance			Lease termination			Total
Accrued Balance, December 31, 2010	$	931		$	1,291		$	2,222
Restructuring costs		649			3,036			3,685
Cash payments		(1,508	)		(3,621	)		(5,129	)
Other		—			(39	)		(39	)

Accrued Balance, December 31, 2011	$	72		$	667		$	739

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]

Computation Of Basic And Diluted EPS


	For the Years Ended									One Month Ended
(in thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
Net income	$	173,454		$	92,170		$	81,801		$	13,824
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units⁽¹⁾		(627	)		(742	)		(1,246	)		(145	)

Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$	172,827		$	91,428		$	80,555		$	13,679

Basic weighted average common stock outstanding		120,717			112,074			100,607			119,943

Basic weighted average common stock outstanding		120,717			112,074			100,607			119,943
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		1,559			1,283			253			1,860

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		122,276			113,357			100,860			121,803

Earnings per basic common share	$	1.43		$	0.82		$	0.80		$	0.11

Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.41		$	0.81		$	0.80		$	0.11

(1)	The restricted stock units participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, the restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Short-Term Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Short-Term Investments [Abstract]

Summary Of Fair Value And Gross Unrealized Gains (Losses) Of Debt Securities Available-For-Sale


(in thousands)	Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses			Estimated Fair value
December 31, 2011
Debt securities available-for-sale

U.S. Treasury securities	$	135,485	$	9	$	(2	)	$	135,492
Tradable certificates of deposit		5,001		—		(3	)		4,998

Total	$	140,486	$	9	$	(5	)	$	140,490


December 31, 2010
Debt securities available-for-sale

U.S. Treasury securities	$	66,936	$	12	$	—		$	66,948
Commercial paper		4,251		1		—			4,252
State and municipal securities		1,615		2		—			1,617

Total	$	72,802	$	15	$	—		$	72,817

Unrealized Losses On Investments


	Total
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Total Unrealized Losses
U.S. Treasury securities	$	50,056	$	(2	)
Tradable certificates of deposit		2,695		(3	)

Total	$	52,751	$	(5	)

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph a, b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 19, 20, 21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27337-111563

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27198-111563

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitment And Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Future Minimum Commitments Under Operating Leases


	Amount
Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012	$	20,413
2013		23,493
2014		23,176
2015		18,911
2016		18,089
Thereafter		182,288

Total	$	286,370

Summary Of Aggregate Amount Of All Long-Term Debt To Be Repaid


	Amount
For the Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012	$	11,250
2013		11,250
2014		11,250
2015		11,250
2016		11,250
Thereafter		1,025,313

Total	$	1,081,563

Summary Of Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments


(In thousands)	Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Location	As of December 31, 2011			As of December 31, 2010
Liability derivatives:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps	Other accrued liabilities	$	(2,387	)	$	(661	)

Interest Rate Swaps And Derivative Instruments


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) for the Years Ended									Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion) for the Years Ended									Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Years Ended
(In thousands)	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009					December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009					December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009
Interest Rate Swaps	$	(4,506	)	$	(2,628	)	$	(5,959	)		Interest expense	$	(2,062	)	$	(3,072	)	$	(4,221	)		Interest expense	$	35	$	(3,088	)	$	—

Derivatives
in Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
for the One Month
Ended

Location of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income into Income
(Effective Portion)

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income into
Income (Effective
Portion) for
One Month Ended

Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective Portion
and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing)

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivative
(IneffectivePortion
and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing) for the One
Month Ended

(In thousands)

December 31, 2010

Interest rate swaps

968

Interest expense

(143

)

Interest expense

—

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

Summary Of Company's Financial Assets And Liabilities

Fair Value Measures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measures [Abstract]


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2011		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	(In thousands)
*Assets:*
Cash and cash equivalents	$	252,211	$	225,211	$	27,000

Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities		135,492		—		135,492
Tradable certificates of deposit		4,998		—		4,998

Total short-term investments		140,490		—		140,490

Total financial assets	$	392,701	$	225,211	$	167,490

*Liabilities:*
Interest rate swaps	$	2,387	$	—	$	2,387

The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010:


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2010		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	(In thousands)
*Assets:*
Cash and cash equivalents	$	269,423	$	266,519	$	2,904

Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities		66,948		—		66,948
Commercial paper		4,252		—		4,252
State and municipal securities		1,617		—		1,617

Total short-term investments		72,817		—		72,817

Total financial assets	$	342,240	$	266,519	$	75,721

*Liabilities:*
Interest rate swaps	$	661	$	—	$	661

Tabular disclosure of the total amount of gains or losses for the period which are included in earnings or resulted in a change to net assets which gains or losses have arisen from the use of significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities. Such gains or losses are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities so valued which are still held at the reporting date and which change are also considered for disclosure; it may be expected that a description of where those unrealized gains or losses are reported in the statement of income or the statement of financial position would also be disclosed.

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements [Abstract]

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Components Of Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements


	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	70,170		$	53,240
Furniture & fixtures		4,868			4,689
Leasehold improvements		22,219			20,400
Work-in-process		454			2,302

Subtotal		97,711			80,631
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(60,088	)		(44,908	)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	37,623		$	35,723

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Schedule Of Goodwill


	Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2010	$	1,706,671
Changes to goodwill⁽¹⁾		1,914

Goodwill at December 31, 2011	$	1,708,585

(1)	Resulting from the finalization of the valuation of the acquired RiskMetrics assets and liabilities.

Components Of Intangible Assets By Major Class


	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2011
Customer relationships	$	459,010	$	(61,003	)	$	398,007
Trademarks/trade names		243,440		(49,336	)		194,104
Technology/software		191,430		(141,457	)		49,973
Proprietary process		3,800		(1,003	)		2,797
Non-compete agreements		2,780		(2,780	)		—

Total intangible assets	$	900,460	$	(255,579	)	$	644,881


	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
As of December 31, 2010
Customer relationships	$	461,690	$	(32,130	)	$	429,560
Trademarks/trade names		243,440		(36,456	)		206,984
Technology/software		194,317		(125,575	)		68,742
Proprietary process		3,800		(369	)		3,431
Non-compete agreements		2,780		(1,081	)		1,699
Transition agreements		720		(450	)		270

Total intangible assets	$	906,747	$	(196,061	)	$	710,686

Estimated Amortization Expense For Succeeding Years


For the Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
For the Years Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2012		62,959
2013		53,087
2014		52,864
2015		52,787
2016		50,649
Thereafter		372,535

Total	$	644,881

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total. Disclosure details may include, but are not limited to, the carrying amount of goodwill, goodwill acquired during the year, goodwill impairment losses recognized, goodwill written-off due to the sale of a business unit, goodwill not yet allocated, and any other changes to goodwill.

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Components Of Share-Based Compensation Expense


	For the Years Ended						One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Deferred stock	$	27,067	$	24,632	$	28,987	$	2,080
Stock options		4,682		7,653		6,174		752

Total	$	31,749	$	32,285	$	35,161	$	2,832

Summary Of Vested And Unvested Deferred Stock Awards Activity


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at November 30, 2010		1,882		$	24.38
Granted		514		$	36.70
Conversion to common stock		(125	)	$	33.34
Canceled		—		$	30.16

Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2010		2,271		$	26.68
Granted		81		$	34.47
Conversion to common stock		(1,032	)	$	22.54
Canceled		(74	)	$	29.78

Vested and unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2011⁽¹⁾		1,246		$	30.42

(1)	As of December 31, 2011, approximately 1,223 restricted stock units and restricted stock awards, with a weighted average price of $30.34, were vested or expected to vest.

Summary Of Unvested Deferred Stock Awards Activity


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested deferred stock awards at November 30, 2010⁽¹⁾		1,549		$	24.48
Granted		332		$	36.70
Vested		(74	)	$	33.15
Canceled		—		$	30.16

Unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2010		1,807		$	24.38
Granted		81		$	34.47
Vested		(865	)	$	21.84
Canceled		(74	)	$	29.78

Unvested deferred stock awards at December 31, 2011		949		$	30.90

Unvested deferred stock awards expected to vest		926		$	30.80

(1)	Unvested deferred stock awards represent awards where recipients have yet to satisfy either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligibility requirements.

Weighted Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumed


	Assumptions
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	17.08
Risk free interest rate		3.26	%
Expected stock price volatility		36.31	%
Expected dividend yield		—

Summary Of Stock Options Activity


For the Periods Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregated Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at November 30, 2010		4,557		$	17.54		6.47		N/A
Granted or assumed		208		$	36.70		N/A		N/A
Forfeited		(49	)	$	21.78		N/A		N/A
Conversion to common stock		(5	)	$	24.77		N/A		N/A

Options outstanding at December 31, 2010		4,711		$	18.33		5.82		N/A
Granted or assumed		—		$	—		N/A		N/A
Forfeited		(180	)	$	21.23		N/A		N/A
Conversion to common stock		(1,006	)	$	16.33		N/A		N/A

Options outstanding at December 31, 2011		3,525		$	18.76		5.63	$	50,748

Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		3,022		$	17.27		5.20	$	47,322

Options vested or expected to vest		3,502		$	18.73		5.62	$	50,507

Summary Of Stock Options Outstanding By Exercise Price Range


At December 31, 2011	Options Outstanding
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$2.76 to $16.48		905	$	10.20		4.49	$	20,574
$18.00		1,282	$	18.00		5.41	$	19,140
$20.45 to $25.64		1,130	$	23.16		6.18	$	11,034
$36.70		208	$	36.70		8.95	$	—

Total		3,525					$	50,748

Summary Of Stock Options Exercisable By Exercise Price Range


At December 31, 2011	Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number Outstanding		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
$2.76 to $16.48		779	$	9.22		4.06	$	18,470
$18.00		1,282	$	18.00		5.41	$	19,140
$20.45 to $25.64		961	$	22.83		5.86	$	9,712
$36.70		—	$	36.70		8.95	$	—

Total		3,022					$	47,322

Tabular disclosure of components of a stock option or other award plan under which equity-based compensation is awarded to employees, typically comprised of the amount of unearned compensation (deferred compensation cost), compensation expense, and changes in the quantity and fair value of the shares (or other type of equity) granted, exercised, forfeited, and issued and outstanding pertaining to that plan. Disclosure may also include nature and general terms of such arrangements that existed during the period and potential effects of those arrangements on shareholders, effect of compensation cost arising from equity-based payment arrangements on the income statement, method of estimating the fair value of the goods or services received, or the fair value of the equity instruments granted, during the period, cash flow effects resulting from equity-based payment arrangements and, for registrants that accelerate vesting of out of the money share options, reasons for the decision to accelerate.

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Provision For Income Taxes (Benefits)


	For the Years Ended									For the One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
Current
U.S. federal	$	53,041		$	36,386		$	45,957		$	1,487
U.S. state and local		12,573			9,452			10,714			931
Non U.S.		18,720			14,557			7,587			1,462

		84,334			60,395			64,258			3,880

Deferred
U.S. federal		12,412			4,091			(12,940	)		2,864
U.S. state and local		(2,643	)		(1,954	)		(919	)		235
Non U.S.		(4,144	)		(1,211	)		(479	)		(247	)

		5,625			926			(14,338	)		2,852

Provision for income taxes	$	89,959		$	61,321		$	49,920		$	6,732

Reconciliation Of Provision To U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate


	For the Years Ended									For the One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011			November 30, 2010			November 30, 2009			December 31, 2010
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		35.00	%		35.00	%		35.00	%		35.00	%
U.S. state and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefits		2.45	%		3.13	%		3.63	%		3.63	%
Change in tax rates applicable to non-U.S. earnings		(3.33	%)		0.33	%		(0.64	%)		(1.05	%)
Domestic tax credits		(0.95	%)		—	%		(0.96	%)		(4.55	%)
Other		0.98	%		1.49	%		0.87	%		(0.28	%)

Effective income tax rate		34.15	%		39.95	%		37.90	%		32.75	%

Significant Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities


	As of
	December 31, 2011			December 31, 2010
Deferred tax assets:
Employee compensation and benefit plans	$	26,895		$	26,356
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		2,044			4,458
State taxes		2,192			2,192
Interest rate swap		1,215			258
Foreign currency translation		1,663			(48	)
Pension		171			129
Unearned revenue		1,445			1,843
NOL carryforward – current		466			22,917
NOL carryforward – non-current		3,198			10,098
Other		5,969			5,131

Subtotal		45,258			73,334
Less: valuation allowance		(779	)		(1,065	)

Total deferred tax assets	$	44,479		$	72,269

Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	$	(242,500	)	$	(265,987	)
Other		(1,483	)		(2,904	)

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(243,983	)	$	(268,891	)

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(199,504	)	$	(196,622	)

Net current deferred tax asset	$	40,952		$	57,525
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities		(240,456	)		(254,147	)

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(199,504	)	$	(196,622	)

Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits


Gross unrecognized tax benefits	Year Ended December 31, 2011			Year Ended November 30, 2010			Year Ended November 30, 2009			One Month Ended December 31, 2010
(amounts in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	13,392		$	10,974		$	2,625		$	13,089
Increases based on tax positions related to the current period		—			1,516			466			154
Increases based on tax positions related to prior periods⁽¹⁾		1,061			3,773			8,796			160
Decreases based on tax positions related to prior periods		(1,132	)		(317	)		(349	)		(11	)
Increases/ (Decreases) related to settlements with taxing authorities		(153	)		(887	)		(564	)		—
Increases/(Decreases) related to a lapse of applicable statute of limitations		—			(1,970	)		—			—

Ending balance	$	13,168		$	13,089		$	10,974		$	13,392

(1)	Includes $3.8 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

Summary Of Major Tax Jurisdictions And Open Tax Years


Tax Jurisdiction	Open Tax Years
United States		2005 – 2010
California		2008 – 2010
New York State		2007 – 2010
New York City		2005 – 2010
Hong Kong		2004 – 2010
United Kingdom		2010
Canada		2005 – 2010
Japan		2009 – 2010
India		2008 – 2011

Tabular disclosure of tax positions taken in the tax returns filed or to be filed for which it is more likely than not that the tax position will not be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities (i.e., uncertain tax positions) and other types of income tax contingencies, including: (1) the policy on classification of interest and penalties; (2) a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits at the beginning and end of the period; the total amount(s) of: (3) unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, and (4) interest and penalties recognized in each of the income statement and balance sheet; (5) for positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts unrecognized will significantly change within 12 months of the reporting date the: (i) nature of the uncertainty, (ii) nature of the event that could occur that would cause the change, and (iii) an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change or a statement that an estimate of the range cannot be made; and (6) a description of tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions.

Tabular disclosure of income tax examinations that an enterprise is currently subject to or that have been completed in the current period typically including a description of the examination, the jurisdiction conducting the examination, the tax year(s) under examination, the likelihood of an unfavorable settlement, the range of possible losses, the liability recorded, the increase or decrease in the liability from the prior period, and any penalties and interest that have been recorded.

Key Financial Information By Operating Segments

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Information [Abstract]


	Years Ended						One Month Ended
(in thousands)	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Operating revenues
Performance and Risk	$	781,355	$	604,307	$	442,948	$	61,841
Governance		119,586		58,594		—		10,683

Consolidated	$	900,941	$	662,901	$	442,948	$	72,524

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
Performance and Risk	$	67,558	$	51,028	$	37,511	$	6,038
Governance		17,672		7,984		—		1,324

Consolidated	$	85,230	$	59,012	$	37,511	$	7,362

Operating income
Performance and Risk	$	310,504	$	200,369	$	150,992	$	24,601
Governance		11,494		5,754		—		2,068

Consolidated	$	321,998	$	206,123	$	150,992	$	26,669

Revenues By Geographic Area


	For the Years Ended						One Month Ended
	December 31, 2011		November 30, 2010		November 30, 2009		December 31, 2010
Americas:
United States	$	457,591	$	329,773	$	212,763	$	37,882
Other		32,188		23,546		14,425		2,583

Total Americas		489,779		353,319		227,188		40,465

Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		106,648		86,136		56,232		8,950
Other		180,600		128,934		83,922		13,917

Total EMEA		287,248		215,070		140,154		22,867

Asia & Australia:
Japan		58,023		46,872		41,805		4,358
Other		65,891		47,640		33,801		4,834

Total Asia & Australia		123,914		94,512		75,606		9,192

Total	$	900,941	$	662,901	$	442,948	$	72,524

Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Area


	As of
	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
Americas:
United States	$	2,369,997	$	2,430,287
Other		5,145		3,229

Total Americas		2,375,142		2,433,516

EMEA:
United Kingdom		5,107		5,520
Other		5,617		7,756

Total EMEA		10,724		13,276

Asia & Australia:
Japan		364		448
Other		4,859		5,840

Total Asia & Australia		5,223		6,288

Total	$	2,391,089	$	2,453,080

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

Quarterly Results Of Operations [Abstract]

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Quarterly Results Of Operations


	2011												2010
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter			First Quarter⁽¹⁾			Second Quarter⁽¹⁾			Third Quarter⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾			Fourth Quarter⁽¹⁾
	(in thousands)												(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	223,298		$	226,483		$	225,026		$	226,134		$	121,680		$	125,170		$	202,733		$	213,318

Cost of services		70,218			68,840			68,968			69,121			29,291			30,463			69,741			69,131
Selling, general and administrative		51,418			53,321			53,724			54,509			37,461			40,177			63,306			49,300
Restructuring		4,431			40			(1,002	)		125			—			—			6,953			1,943
Amortization of intangible assets		16,692			16,423			16,422			16,268			4,278			4,277			16,350			16,694
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		5,110			5,168			4,669			4,478			3,393			3,556			4,934			5,530

Total operating expenses		147,869			143,792			142,781			144,501			74,423			78,473			161,284			142,598

Operating income		75,429			82,691			82,245			81,633			47,257			46,697			41,449			70,720
Interest income		(143	)		(186	)		(184	)		(335	)		(408	)		(343	)		(114	)		(128	)
Interest expense		16,587			12,852			13,113			13,267			4,436			8,991			20,415			17,495
Other expense (income)		5,641			383			(983	)		(1,427	)		(608	)		98			524			2,274

Other expense (income), net		22,085			13,049			11,946			11,505			3,420			8,746			20,825			19,641

Income before provision for income taxes		53,344			69,642			70,299			70,128			43,837			37,951			20,624			51,079
Provision for income taxes		19,823			23,982			20,512			25,642			16,319			13,884			10,305			20,813

Net income	$	33,521		$	45,660		$	49,787		$	44,486		$	27,518		$	24,067		$	10,319		$	30,266

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.28		$	0.38		$	0.41		$	0.37		$	0.26		$	0.23		$	0.09		$	0.25

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.27		$	0.37		$	0.40		$	0.36		$	0.26		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.25

Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share data
Basic		120,282			120,592			120,831			121,146			105,235			105,345			118,339			119,309

Diluted		122,013			122,235			122,303			122,536			105,844			106,003			120,341			121,172

(1)

(2)	The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Transition Period Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Transition Period Financial Information [Abstract]

Summary Of Transition Period Financial Information


	One Month Ended December 31,
	2010		2009 (unaudited)
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues	$	72,524	$	40,487

Operating income	$	26,669	$	16,540

Provision for income taxes	$	6,732	$	5,651

Net income	$	13,824	$	9,259

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.11	$	0.09

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.11	$	0.09

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years shares	Nov. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2008 USD ($)
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of voting stock for consolidation		50.00%
Reserved common shares \| shares		4,200,000
Number of shares available for future grant \| shares		10,700,000
Number of shares grants in period \| shares	208,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts \| $	$ 877	$ 857	$ 1,013	$ 847	$ 712
Accumulated other comprehensive loss \| $	(843)	$ (5,094)
Period of cash and cash equivalents		<font class="_mt"><font class="_mt"><font class="_mt">90</font></font> days or less</font>
Goodwill \| $	1,706,671	$ 1,708,585
Estimated Useful Life (in years), minimum		1
Estimated Useful Life (in years), maximum \| years		19
Cash and cash equivalents \| $	269,423	$ 252,211	$ 226,575	$ 176,024	$ 268,077
Short-term investments \| $	$ 72,817	$ 140,490
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Reserved common shares \| shares		4,300,000
Minimum [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Debt security maturity date range (days)		91
Maximum [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Debt security maturity date range (days)		360
Furniture & Fixtures [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Estimates of useful lives (in years)		five
Computer And Equipment [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Estimates of useful lives, minimum (in years) \| years		3
Estimates of useful lives, maximum (in Years) \| years		5
Common Class A [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued \| shares	120,667,613	122,713,226

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation (Changes In The Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Balance at beginning of year

$ 1,013

$ 877

$ 847

$ 712

Addition to provision

545

931

^[1]

977

Reduction to provision

(133)

Amounts written off, net of recoveries

(3)

(565)

(765)

(842)

Balance at ending of year

$ 877

$ 857

1,013

$ 847

Allowances related to acquisitions

$ 300

[1]	Includes an allowance of $0.3 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

Acquisitions (RiskMetrics Acquisition) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of acquisition	June 1, 2010
RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of class A common shares issued	12.6
Number of class A common shares reserved for awards assumed	4.3
Transaction related costs related to the acquisition		$ 21.2
RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Performance And Risk [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price allocated to goodwill	$ 1,014.8
RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Governance [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price allocated to goodwill	$ 231.1

Acquisitions (Other Fiscal 2010 Acquisition) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

Earnings

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

173,454

92,170

$ 81,801

Measurisk LLC [Member]

Purchase price allocated to other assets

4,400

Earnings

$ 1,600

2,300

Purchase price allocated to identifiable intangible assets

9,500

Purchase price allocated to other liabilities

1,900

Purchase price allocated to goodwill

$ 21,100

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 87-21
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph a
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 10, 15
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920043&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 38
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A7
-Appendix A

Acquisitions (Purchase Price) (Details) - As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] - RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$ 1,146,702
MSCI class A common stock valued using the New York Stock Exchange closing price on June 1, 2010	371,815
Fair value of outstanding vested and unvested stock options and unvested restricted stock awards assumed	53,879
Total purchase price	$ 1,572,396

The acquisition-date fair value of the equity interests of the acquirer, including the number of instruments or interests issued or issuable in consideration for the business combination.

Acquisitions (Purchase Price Allocation) (Details) - As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] - RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 76,459
Trade receivables	33,577
Other assets	32,398
Goodwill	1,245,862
Intangible assets	628,120
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(48,494)
Debt	(107,485)
Deferred revenues	(114,686)
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(173,355)
Total purchase price	$ 1,572,396

Acquisitions (Components Of Intangible Assets Acquired) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life (in years), minimum	1
Estimated Useful Life (in years), maximum	19
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 628,120
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 428,600
Estimated Useful Life (in years), minimum	14
Estimated Useful Life (in years), maximum	15
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Technology/Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 52,640
Estimated Useful Life (in years), minimum	3
Estimated Useful Life (in years), maximum	7
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Proprietary Process [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 3,800
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	6
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Trademarks/Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 140,300
Estimated Useful Life (in years), minimum	10
Estimated Useful Life (in years), maximum	20
As Of June 1, 2010 [Member] \| RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] \| Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value \| $	$ 2,780
Estimated Useful Life (in years)	1.5

Acquisitions (Revenue Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Total revenues

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

92,170

$ 81,801

Total revenues

152,301

$ 10,080

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

Acquisitions (Pro Forma Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

20,986

69,121

68,968

68,840

70,218

69,131

69,741

30,463

29,291

277,147

198,626

118,665

17,481

54,509

53,724

53,321

51,418

49,300

63,306

40,177

37,461

212,972

190,244

135,780

125

(1,002)

4,431

1,943

6,953

3,594

8,896

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

5,564

16,268

16,422

16,423

16,692

16,694

16,350

4,277

4,278

65,805

41,599

25,554

1,798

4,478

4,669

5,168

5,110

5,530

4,934

3,556

3,393

19,425

17,413

11,957

45,855

144,501

142,781

143,792

147,869

142,598

161,284

78,473

74,423

578,943

456,778

291,956

26,669

16,540

81,633

82,245

82,691

75,429

70,720

41,449

46,697

47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

(6,113)

(11,505)

(11,946)

(13,049)

(22,085)

(19,641)

(20,825)

(8,746)

(3,420)

(58,585)

(52,632)

(19,271)

20,556

70,128

70,299

69,642

53,344

51,079

20,624

37,951

43,837

263,413

153,491

131,721

6,732

5,651

25,642

20,512

23,982

19,823

20,813

10,305

13,884

16,319

89,959

61,321

49,920

RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

92,170

81,801

152,301

Unaudited And Effect Of Pro-Forma Adjustments [Member] | RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]

10,080

816,419

746,309

272,939

258,955

199,290

201,425

8,896

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

64,477

73,164

21,660

20,306

567,262

553,850

249,157

192,459

71,430

67,744

177,727

124,715

66,896

44,863

$ 110,831

$ 79,852

$ 0.91

$ 0.68

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Acquisitions (Pro Forma Information By Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

20,986

69,121

68,968

68,840

70,218

69,131

69,741

30,463

29,291

277,147

198,626

118,665

17,481

54,509

53,724

53,321

51,418

49,300

63,306

40,177

37,461

212,972

190,244

135,780

125

(1,002)

4,431

1,943

6,953

3,594

8,896

5,564

16,268

16,422

16,423

16,692

16,694

16,350

4,277

4,278

65,805

41,599

25,554

1,798

4,478

4,669

5,168

5,110

5,530

4,934

3,556

3,393

19,425

17,413

11,957

45,855

144,501

142,781

143,792

147,869

142,598

161,284

78,473

74,423

578,943

456,778

291,956

26,669

16,540

81,633

82,245

82,691

75,429

70,720

41,449

46,697

47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

(6,113)

(11,505)

(11,946)

(13,049)

(22,085)

(19,641)

(20,825)

(8,746)

(3,420)

(58,585)

(52,632)

(19,271)

20,556

70,128

70,299

69,642

53,344

51,079

20,624

37,951

43,837

263,413

153,491

131,721

6,732

5,651

25,642

20,512

23,982

19,823

20,813

10,305

13,884

16,319

89,959

61,321

49,920

Performance And Risk [Member]

13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

173,454

92,170

81,801

61,841

781,355

604,307

442,948

2,000

6,700

24,601

310,504

200,369

150,992

Governance [Member]

10,683

119,586

58,594

1,600

2,200

RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]

$ 2,068

$ 11,494

5,754

152,301

RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] | Performance And Risk [Member]

10,080

693,178

613,890

205,582

191,346

175,679

169,966

6,673

51,137

59,764

18,224

16,393

457,295

437,469

RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member] | Governance [Member]

235,883

176,421

123,241

132,419

67,357

67,609

23,611

31,459

2,223

13,340

13,400

3,436

3,913

109,967

116,381

Unaudited And Effect Of Pro-Forma Adjustments [Member] | RiskMetrics Group Inc [Member]

13,274

16,038

816,419

746,309

272,939

258,955

199,290

201,425

8,896

64,477

73,164

21,660

20,306

567,262

553,850

249,157

192,459

71,430

67,744

177,727

124,715

66,896

44,863

$ 110,831

$ 79,852

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Restructuring (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Write-off of assets associated with the exit of certain leases

$ 26

$ 125

$ (1,002)

$ 40

$ 4,431

$ 1,943

^[1]

$ 6,953

$ 3,594

$ 8,896

900

Severance costs

600

3,600

Accelerated vesting of share-based compensation awards

8,504

$ 3,000

24,981

31,741

$ 34,302

Costs associated with exit of certain lease

2,000

1,400

Costs associated with discontinuance of the planned integration

900

Performance And Risk [Member]

2,000

6,700

Governance [Member]

1,600

$ 2,200

Maximum [Member]

Accelerated vesting of share-based compensation awards

$ 100

$ 100

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Restructuring (Summary Of Changes In Accrued Restructuring Charges) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accrued Beginning Balance	$ 2,222
Restructuring Costs	3,685
Cash payments	(5,129)
Other	(39)
Accrued Ending Balance	739
Severance [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accrued Beginning Balance	931
Restructuring Costs	649
Cash payments	(1,508)
Accrued Ending Balance	72
Lease Termination [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accrued Beginning Balance	1,291
Restructuring Costs	3,036
Cash payments	(3,621)
Other	(39)
Accrued Ending Balance	$ 667

Earnings Per Common Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted EPS) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]

Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

$ 92,170

$ 81,801

^[3]

(145)

(627)

(742)

(1,246)

Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders

$ 13,679

$ 172,827

$ 91,428

$ 80,555

Basic weighted average common stock outstanding

119,943

121,146

120,831

120,592

120,282

119,309

118,339

105,345

105,235

120,717

112,074

100,607

Stock options

1,860

1,559

1,283

253

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

121,803

122,536

122,303

122,235

122,013

121,172

120,341

106,003

105,844

122,276

113,357

100,860

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.37

$ 0.41

$ 0.38

$ 0.28

$ 0.25

$ 0.09

$ 0.23

$ 0.26

$ 1.43

$ 0.82

$ 0.80

Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.36

$ 0.40

$ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.25

$ 0.08

$ 0.22

$ 0.26

$ 1.41

$ 0.81

$ 0.80

6,534

19,754

209,931

519,085

[1]	Financial information for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2010 has not been included in this Form 10-K for the following reasons: (i)(a) the three months ended February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30, 2010 provide a meaningful comparison for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2011, respectively; (ii) there are no significant factors, seasonal or other, that would materially impact the comparability of information if the results for the three months ended March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 2010 were presented in lieu of results for the three months ended February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30, 2010, respectively; and (iii) it was not practicable or cost justified to prepare this information.
[2]	The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.
[3]	The restricted stock units participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, the restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Short-Term Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Short-Term Investments [Abstract]
Other-than-temporary impairment on investments	$ 0	$ 0

Short-Term Investments (Summary Of Fair Value And Gross Unrealized Gains (Losses) Of Debt Securities Available-For-Sale) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest	$ 140,486	$ 72,802
Gross unrealized gains	9	15
Gross unrealized losses	(5)
Estimated Fair value	140,490	72,817
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest	135,485	66,936
Gross unrealized gains	9	12
Gross unrealized losses	(2)
Estimated Fair value	135,492	66,948
Tradable Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest	5,001
Gross unrealized losses	(3)
Estimated Fair value	$ 4,998
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest		4,251
Gross unrealized gains		1
Estimated Fair value		4,252
State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest		1,615
Gross unrealized gains		2
Estimated Fair value		$ 1,617

For an unclassified balance sheet, total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 13
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 133
-Paragraph 22
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 16
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 115
-Paragraph 137
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379932&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)-(g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15C
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS115-1/124-1
-Paragraph 15D
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements [Abstract]

Short-Term Investments (Unrealized Losses On Investments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Total	$ 52,751
Unrealized Losses, Total	(5)
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Total	50,056
Unrealized Losses, Total	(2)
Tradable Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Total	2,695
Unrealized Losses, Total	$ (3)

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	Mar. 14, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	May 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Sep. 16, 2011 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 02, 2010 USD ($)	Apr. 15, 2010 USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2010 USD ($)	Nov. 14, 2007 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating leases rent expense		$ 1,700,000			$ 18,500,000		$ 15,400,000	$ 10,400,000
Combined annual base rents					3,000,000
Square footage of office space rented									126,000
Aggregate future lease expense									$ 170,100,000
Approximate annual rent payable									$ 7,300,000
Percentage of annual rent increase									10.00%
Scheduled lease expiry date									February 28, 2033
Renew option period increase, in years									10
Early lease termination date									February 1, 2028
Current maturities of long term debt		54,932,000			10,339,000	$ 54,932,000
Net discount of debt current maturities		1,100,000			900,000	1,100,000
Prepayment on the new credit facility					35,000,000
Long term debt, net of current maturities		1,207,966,000			1,066,548,000	1,207,966,000
Net discount of long term debt, net of current maturities		3,800,000			4,700,000	3,800,000
Repayment of outstanding amount of credit facility					1,312,062,000		386,875,000	22,250,000
Amortization of debt origination fees		548,000			$ 5,776,000		8,090,000	1,432,000
Debt instrument amended interest rate description					2.75%
Amortization of debt discount		101,000			$ 1,051,000		$ 1,337,000	$ 165,000
Fair market value of debt obligations		$ 1,281,300,000			1,089,700,000	1,281,300,000
Termination of derivatives liability, net					$ 2,700,000
Number of derivatives held					2
Notional amount of interest rate derivatives					$ 419,800,000
Amount to be reclassified to interest expense within twelve months					2,200,000
2007 Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Secured credit facility														$ 500,000,000
Prepayment of principal balances												$ 150,000,000	$ 147,000,000
Repayment of credit facility			$ 70,900,000
New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Amortization of debt origination fees					$ 5,800,000
Repayment of principal (in percentage)					1.00%
Frequency of payments				quarterly installments
Secured lien of equity interests (in percentage)					65.00%
Minimum amortization period (in years)					4
Maximum amortization period (in years)					7
Unamortized deferred finance costs					$ 24,800,000
Amortization of debt discount						$ 1,100,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Principal balance outstanding on debt instrument	$ 1,212,600,000
Prepayment of principal balances										$ 56,000,000
Cash on hand used to repay term loan credit facility	87,600,000
Term Loan Facility [Member] \| 2007 Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Face amount of debt														425,000,000
2011 Term Loan [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Face amount of debt	$ 1,125,000,000
Maturity period of the facility	Mar. 01, 2017
Debt instrument interest rate description					3.25%
LIBOR floor applicable to term loan before amendment	1.50%
LIBOR floor applicable to term loan after amendment	1.00%
Prepayment or repricing amendment premium or penalty on term loan facility					1.00%
Non-usage fee on unused credit					0.75%
Fees incurred associated with repricing of term loan facility					$ 6,100,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| 2007 Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Secured credit facility														$ 75,000,000
Six - Year Term Loan Facility [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Face amount of debt											$ 1,275,000,000
Five - Year Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Secured credit facility					100,000,000
Letter Of Credit Subfacility [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Value of letter of credit subfacility					25,000,000
Swingline Loan Subfacility [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Value of swingline loan subfacility					10,000,000
Prepaid And Other Assets [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Unamortized deferred finance costs					5,100,000
Other Non-Current Assets [Member] \| New Credit Facility [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Unamortized deferred finance costs					$ 19,700,000
88 Pine Street [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration date					December 2014
One Chase Manhattan Plaza [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration date					August 2012

Commitments And Contingencies (Summary Of Future Minimum Commitments Under Operating Leases) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2012	$ 20,413
2013	23,493
2014	23,176
2015	18,911
2016	18,089
Thereafter	182,288
Total	$ 286,370

Commitments And Contingencies (Summary Of Aggregate Amount Of All Long-Term Debt To Be Repaid) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2012	$ 11,250
2013	11,250
2014	11,250
2015	11,250
2016	11,250
Thereafter	1,025,313
Total	$ 1,081,563

Commitments And Contingencies (Summary Of Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] \| Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liabilities	$ (2,387)	$ (661)

Commitments And Contingencies (Interest Rate Swaps And Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Interest Rate Products [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)		$ (4,506)	$ (2,628)	$ (5,959)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ 968
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss)Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion)	(143)	(2,062)	(3,072)	(4,221)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)		$ 35	$ (3,088)

Fair Value Measures (Summary Of Company's Financial Assets And Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 252,211	$ 269,423
Total short-term investments	140,490	72,817
Total financial assets	392,701	342,240
Interest rate swaps	$ 2,387	661
Period of cash and cash equivalents	<font class="_mt"><font class="_mt"><font class="_mt">90</font></font> days or less</font>
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments	$ 135,492	66,948
Tradable Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments	4,998
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments		4,252
State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments		1,617
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	225,211	266,519
Total financial assets	225,211	266,519
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	27,000	2,904
Total short-term investments	140,490	72,817
Total financial assets	167,490	75,721
Interest rate swaps	2,387	661
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments	135,492	66,948
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Tradable Certificates Of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments	$ 4,998
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments		4,252
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| State And Municipal Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total short-term investments		$ 1,617

Property, Equipment And Leasehold Improvements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Computer & related equipment

$ 53,240

$ 70,170

Furniture & fixtures

4,689

4,868

Leasehold improvements

20,400

22,219

Work-in-process

2,302

454

Subtotal

80,631

97,711

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

(44,908)

(60,088)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net

35,723

37,623

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

$ 1,798

$ 4,478

$ 4,669

$ 5,168

$ 5,110

$ 5,530

$ 4,934

$ 3,556

$ 3,393

$ 19,425

$ 17,413

$ 11,957

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Aug. 31, 2010

May 31, 2010

Feb. 28, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 5,564

$ 16,268

$ 16,422

$ 16,423

$ 16,692

$ 16,694

^[1]

$ 16,350

^[1],[2]

$ 4,277

^[1]

$ 4,278

^[1]

$ 65,805

$ 41,599

$ 25,554

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 1,706,671
Changes to goodwill	1,914
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 1,708,585

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph l
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-Clause 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Components Of Intangible Assets By Major Class) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$ 900,460	$ 906,747
Accumulated Amortization	(255,579)	(196,061)
Net Carrying Value	644,881	710,686
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	459,010	461,690
Accumulated Amortization	(61,003)	(32,130)
Net Carrying Value	398,007	429,560
Trademarks/Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	243,440	243,440
Accumulated Amortization	(49,336)	(36,456)
Net Carrying Value	194,104	206,984
Technology/Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	191,430	194,317
Accumulated Amortization	(141,457)	(125,575)
Net Carrying Value	49,973	68,742
Proprietary Process [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	3,800	3,800
Accumulated Amortization	(1,003)	(369)
Net Carrying Value	2,797	3,431
Non-Compete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	2,780	2,780
Accumulated Amortization	(2,780)	(1,081)
Net Carrying Value		1,699
Transition Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value		720
Accumulated Amortization		(450)
Net Carrying Value		$ 270

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Estimated Amortization Expense For Succeeding Years) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Abstract]
2012	$ 62,959
2013	53,087
2014	52,864
2015	52,787
2016	50,649
Thereafter	372,535
Total	$ 644,881

Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	$ 0.8	$ 15.9	$ 8.8	$ 7.0
Percentage of additional contribution from the company to employees' cash compensation		3.00%
Defined contribution plan expenses	0.7	$ 14.0	6.8	5.7
Net periodic benefit expense	0.1	1.9	2.0	1.3
Defined benefit plan, assets		19.4
Defined benefit plan, liability		5.1
Cost Of Services [Member]
Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	0.5	9.8	5.2	4.3
Selling, General And Administrative [Member]
Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	$ 0.3	$ 6.1	$ 3.6	$ 2.7

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

The amount of pension and other (such as medical, dental and life insurance) postretirement benefit costs recognized during the period for (1) defined benefit plans (periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss) on assets, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments) and for (2) defined contribution plans (to the extent that a plan's defined contributions to an individual's account are to be made for periods in which that individual renders services, the net cost for a period is the contribution called for in that period; if a plan calls for contributions for periods after an individual retires or terminates, the estimated cost is accrued during the employee's service period).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5, 11
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 70
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414718&loc=d3e28014-114942

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 10, 2010 years	Dec. 10, 2010 years shares	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) years $ / shares shares	Aug. 31, 2010 USD ($)	May 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years shares	Nov. 30, 2010 USD ($) years	Nov. 30, 2009 USD ($)	Nov. 14, 2011	Dec. 14, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 02, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 16, 2009 USD ($)	Dec. 16, 2008 USD ($) years	Nov. 14, 2007 USD ($) years $ / shares
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price per share of options granted \| $ / shares			$ 36.70
Term (in years) of the awards \| years			5.82			5.63	6.47
Number of common shares reserved \| shares						4,200,000
Share-based compensation expense			$ 2,843			$ 31,723	$ 32,285	$ 35,161
Tax benefits for share-based compensation expense related to deferred stock and stock options			300			7,300	8,500	6,900
Compensation cost related to unvested share based awards not yet recognized						$ 16,900
Number of shares available for future grant \| shares						10,700,000
Total fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards converted or vested to common stock			$ 4,700			$ 35,200	34,300	45,300
Weighted average fair value of stock options assumed \| $ / shares			$ 17.08
Intrinsic value of the stock options exercised			$ 100			$ 19,400	17,400	600
Number of shares grants in period \| shares			208,000
Common Stock [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares awarded \| shares						7,840
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares awarded \| shares						21,259
Founders Grant Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value															$ 68,000
Vesting period of awards (in years) \| years															4
Exercise price per share of options granted \| $ / shares															$ 18.00
Term (in years) of the awards \| years															10
Date of tranche of awards vested									November 14, 2011
2008 Bonus Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value														$ 9,500
Vesting period of awards (in years) \| years														3
Fraction of Bonus Award vested per year										one-third
Amount of the award granted to retirement-eligible employees														$ 4,200
Date of tranche of awards vested														January 9, 2012
2009 Bonus Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value													$ 13,200
Vesting period of awards (in years)													3
Fraction of Bonus Award vested per year													one-third
Amount of the award granted to retirement-eligible employees													$ 5,100
2010 Bonus Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards (in years)										3
Amount of the award granted to retirement-eligible employees			$ 500							$ 6,200
Award annual fraction of time-vesting										one-half
2010 Bonus Award [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value										$ 18,900
2011 Bonus Award [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value						$ 21,200
Amount of the award granted to retirement-eligible employees						$ 6,700
Number of shares grants in period \| shares						632,572
2010 CEO Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards (in years)	5	5				5
Percentage of the award vesting on each anniversary	25.00%
Number of shares awarded \| shares		208,175
Performance Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value												$ 15,900
Length of Performance Award time-vest (in months)					31
Award annual fraction of time-vesting											one-half
Share-based compensation expense				$ 2,100
Unvested Stock Options [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected period unvested stock options will be expensed (approximate years)						3.5
Expected amount from the reserved stock						$ 16,700
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of common shares reserved \| shares						100,000
Expected amount from the reserved stock						$ 1,300
Second Anniversary [Member] \| Founders Grant Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested															50.00%
Second Anniversary [Member] \| 2010 CEO Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested						25.00%
Third Anniversary [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested						25.00%
Third Anniversary [Member] \| Founders Grant Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested															25.00%
Fourth Anniversary [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested						25.00%
Fourth Anniversary [Member] \| Founders Grant Award [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested															25.00%
Fifth Anniversary [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage vested						25.00%
Deferred Stock Awards Granted [Member] \| Morgan Stanley Share-Based Compensation Awards [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized expense granted to employees								600
Stock Option Granted [Member] \| Morgan Stanley Share-Based Compensation Awards [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized expense granted to employees								100
Cost Of Services [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share based compensation expense			1,400			$ 12,400	12,000	12,200
Cost Of Services [Member] \| Morgan Stanley Share-Based Compensation Awards [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share based compensation expense								100
Restructuring Expense [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share based compensation expense						100	3,000
Selling, General And Administrative [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share based compensation expense			$ 1,400			$ 19,300	$ 17,300	23,000
Selling, General And Administrative [Member] \| Morgan Stanley Share-Based Compensation Awards [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share based compensation expense								$ 600
Minimum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards (in years) \| years						1
Maximum [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of awards (in years) \| years						3

Share-Based Compensation (Components Of Share-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total	$ 2,832	$ 31,749	$ 32,285	$ 35,161
Deferred Stock [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total	2,080	27,067	24,632	28,987
Stock Options [Member]
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total	$ 752	$ 4,682	$ 7,653	$ 6,174

Equity-based compensation cost during the period with respect to the award, which will be recognized in income (as well as the total recognized tax benefit) or capitalized as part of the cost of an asset.

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Vested And Unvested Deferred Stock Awards Activity) (Details) - $ / shares
shares in Thousands

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Vested and unvested deferred stock at the beginning of perod, Number of Shares

1,882

2,271

Granted or assumed, Number of Shares

514

Conversion to common stock, Number of Shares

(125)

(1,032)

Canceled, Number of Shares

(74)

Vested and unvested Deferred stock awards at end of period, Number of Shares

2,271

1,246

^[1]

1,882

ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndUnvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue

$ 26.68

$ 30.42

^[1]

$ 24.38

Weighted Average Price, Granted or assumed

36.70

34.47

Weighted Average Price, Conversion to common stock

33.34

22.54

Weighted Average Price, Canceled

30.16

29.78

ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedAndUnvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue

$ 26.68

30.42

^[1]

$ 24.38

Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards vested or expected to vest, weighted average price

$ 30.34

Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards, vested and expected to vest

1,223

[1]	As of December 31, 2011, approximately 1,223 restricted stock units and restricted stock awards, with a weighted average price of $30.34, were vested or expected to vest.

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Unvested Deferred Stock Awards Activity) (Details)
shares in Thousands

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

$ / shares

Dec. 31, 2011

$ / shares

Unvested deferred stock awards, balance at the beginning of period | shares

1,549

^[1]

1,807

Number of Shares, Granted or assumed | shares

332

Number of Shares, Vested | shares

(74)

(865)

Number of Shares, Canceled | shares

(74)

Unvested deferred stock awards, balance at the end of period | shares

1,807

949

Number of shares, Expected to vest | shares

926

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, balance at the beginning of the period | $ / shares

$ 24.48

^[1]

$ 24.38

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted or assumed | $ / shares

36.70

34.47

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested | $ / shares

33.15

21.84

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Canceled | $ / shares

30.16

29.78

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, balance at the end of the period | $ / shares

$ 24.38

$ 30.90

Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Expected to vest | $ / shares

30.80

[1]	Unvested deferred stock awards represent awards where recipients have yet to satisfy either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligibility requirements.

Share-Based Compensation (Weighted Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Assumed) (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010 $ / shares
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$ 17.08
Risk free interest rate	3.26%
Expected stock price volatility	36.31%
Expected dividend yield

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010 years $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years $ / shares shares	Nov. 30, 2010 years
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of Options, Options outstanding, Beginning balance \| shares	4,557	4,711
Number of Options, Granted or assumed \| shares	208
Number of Options, Forfeited \| shares	(49)	(180)
Number of Options, Conversion to common stock \| shares	(5)	(1,006)
Number of Options, Options outstanding, Ending balance \| shares	4,711	3,525
Number of Options, Options exercisable \| shares		3,022
Number of Options, Options vested or expected to vest \| shares		3,502
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options outstanding, Beginning balance \| $ / shares	$ 17.54	$ 18.33
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted or assumed \| $ / shares	36.70
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited \| $ / shares	21.78	21.23
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Conversion to common stock \| $ / shares	24.77	16.33
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options outstanding, Ending balance \| $ / shares	$ 18.33	18.76
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable \| $ / shares		17.27
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options vested or expected to vest \| $ / shares		$ 18.73
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options outstanding \| years	5.82	5.63	6.47
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options exercisable \| years		5.20
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options vested or expected to vest \| years		5.62
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $		$ 50,748
Aggregated Intrinsic Value, Options exercisable \| $		47,322
Aggregated Intrinsic Value, Options vested or expected to vest \| $		$ 50,507

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Outstanding By Exercise Price Range) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding \| shares	3,525
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 50,748
First Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Minimum	$ 2.76
Range of Exercise Price, Maximum	$ 16.48
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding \| shares	905
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 10.20
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Outstanding \| years	4.49
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 20,574
Second Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices	$ 18.00
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding \| shares	1,282
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 18.00
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Outstanding \| years	5.41
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 19,140
Third Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Minimum	$ 20.45
Range of Exercise Price, Maximum	$ 25.64
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding \| shares	1,130
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 23.16
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Outstanding \| years	6.18
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Outstanding \| $	$ 11,034
Fourth Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices	$ 36.70
Number Outstanding, Options Outstanding \| shares	208
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding	$ 36.70
Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Outstanding \| years	8.95

Share-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Exercisable By Exercise Price Range) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) years $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number Outstanding, Options Exercisable \| shares	3,022
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 17.27
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 47,322
First Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Minimum	$ 2.76
Range of Exercise Price, Maximum	$ 16.48
Number Outstanding, Options Exercisable \| shares	779
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 9.22
Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Exercisable \| years	4.06
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 18,470
Second Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices	$ 18.00
Number Outstanding, Options Exercisable \| shares	1,282
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 18.00
Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Exercisable \| years	5.41
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 19,140
Third Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Price, Minimum	$ 20.45
Range of Exercise Price, Maximum	$ 25.64
Number Outstanding, Options Exercisable \| shares	961
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 22.83
Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Exercisable \| years	5.86
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options Exercisable \| $	$ 9,712
Fourth Exercise Price Range [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices	$ 36.70
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	$ 36.70
Average Remaining Life (Years), Options Exercisable \| years	8.95

Share-Based Compensation (Components Of Share-Based Compensation Expense Net Of Cancellations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Share-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Total	$ 2,832	$ 31,749	$ 32,285	$ 35,161

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries	$ 121.1	$ 49.9	$ 48.6	$ 25.1
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, reasonably possible (in months)	12
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, not possible (in months)	12
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits	$ 10.6
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest on income tax expenses	$ 0.6
New York State And City [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2002 -2006

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to undistributed earnings of subsidiaries and other recognized entities in countries outside the country of domicile which will increase future taxable income when such earnings are distributed into the country of domicile.

Income Taxes (Summary Of Provision For Income Taxes (Benefits)) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Current, U.S. state and local

Current, U.S. federal

$ 1,487

$ 53,041

$ 36,386

$ 45,957

931

12,573

9,452

10,714

Current, Non U.S.

1,462

18,720

14,557

7,587

Current provision for income taxes (benefits)

3,880

84,334

60,395

64,258

Deferred, U.S. federal

2,864

12,412

4,091

(12,940)

Deferred, U.S. state and local

235

(2,643)

(1,954)

(919)

Deferred, Non U.S.

(247)

(4,144)

(1,211)

(479)

Deferred provision for income taxes (benefits)

2,852

5,625

926

(14,338)

$ 6,732

$ 5,651

$ 25,642

$ 20,512

$ 23,982

$ 19,823

$ 20,813

$ 10,305

$ 13,884

$ 16,319

$ 89,959

$ 61,321

$ 49,920

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Provision To U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate) (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010	Nov. 30, 2009
Income Taxes [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
U.S. state and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefits	3.63%	2.45%	3.13%	3.63%
Change in tax rates applicable to non-U.S. earnings	(1.05%)	(3.33%)	0.33%	(0.64%)
Domestic tax credits	(4.55%)	(0.95%)		(0.96%)
Other	(0.28%)	0.98%	1.49%	0.87%
Effective income tax rate	32.75%	34.15%	39.95%	37.90%

Income Taxes (Significant Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Employee compensation and benefit plans	$ 26,895	$ 26,356
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	2,044	4,458
State taxes	2,192	2,192
Interest rate swap	1,215	258
Foreign currency translation	1,663	(48)
Pension	171	129
Unearned revenue	1,445	1,843
NOL carryforward - current	466	22,917
NOL carryforward - non-current	3,198	10,098
Other	5,969	5,131
Subtotal	45,258	73,334
Less: valuation allowance	(779)	(1,065)
Total deferred tax assets	44,479	72,269
Intangible assets	(242,500)	(265,987)
Other	(1,483)	(2,904)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(243,983)	(268,891)
Net current deferred tax asset	40,952	57,525
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities	(240,456)	(254,147)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (199,504)	$ (196,622)

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Increases based on tax positions related to the current period

Beginning balance

$ 13,089

$ 13,392

$ 10,974

$ 2,625

154

1,516

466

Increases based on tax positions related to prior periods

^[1]

160

1,061

3,773

8,796

Decreases based on tax positions related to prior periods

(11)

(1,132)

(317)

(349)

Increases/(Decreases) related to settlements with taxing authorities

(153)

(887)

(564)

Increases/(Decreases) related to a lapse of applicable statute of limitations

(1,970)

Ending balance

$ 13,392

13,168

$ 13,089

$ 10,974

Unrecognized tax benefits on acquisition

$ 3,800

[1]	Includes $3.8 million assumed upon the acquisition of RiskMetrics on June 1, 2010.

Income Taxes (Summary Of Major Tax Jurisdictions And Open Tax Years) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
United States [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2005 – 2010
California [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2008 – 2010
New York State [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2007 – 2010
New York City [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2005 – 2010
Hong Kong [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2004 – 2010
United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2010
Canada [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2005 – 2010
Japan [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2009 – 2010
India [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Open Tax Years	2008 – 2011

Segment Information (Key Financial Information By Operating Segments) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

7,362

85,230

59,012

37,511

Performance And Risk [Member]

26,669

$ 16,540

$ 81,633

$ 82,245

$ 82,691

$ 75,429

$ 70,720

$ 41,449

$ 46,697

$ 47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

61,841

781,355

604,307

442,948

6,038

67,558

51,028

37,511

24,601

310,504

200,369

$ 150,992

Governance [Member]

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

10,683

119,586

58,594

1,324

17,672

7,984

$ 2,068

$ 11,494

$ 5,754

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

Segment Information (Revenues By Geographic Area) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

United States [Member]

37,882

457,591

329,773

212,763

Other [Member]

2,583

32,188

23,546

14,425

Total Americas [Member]

40,465

489,779

353,319

227,188

United Kingdom [Member]

8,950

106,648

86,136

56,232

Other [Member]

13,917

180,600

128,934

83,922

Total EMEA [Member]

22,867

287,248

215,070

140,154

Japan [Member]

4,358

58,023

46,872

41,805

Other [Member]

Total Asia & Australia [Member]

4,834

65,891

47,640

33,801

$ 9,192

$ 123,914

$ 94,512

$ 75,606

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Segment Information (Long-Lived Assets By Geographic Area) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	$ 2,391,089	$ 2,453,080
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	2,369,997	2,430,287
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	5,145	3,229
Total Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	2,375,142	2,433,516
United Kingdom [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	5,107	5,520
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	5,617	7,756
Total EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	10,724	13,276
Japan [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	364	448
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	4,859	5,840
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-Lived Assets	$ 5,223	$ 6,288

Quarterly Results Of Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

20,986

69,121

68,968

68,840

70,218

69,131

69,741

30,463

29,291

277,147

198,626

118,665

17,481

54,509

53,724

53,321

51,418

49,300

63,306

40,177

37,461

212,972

190,244

135,780

125

(1,002)

4,431

1,943

6,953

3,594

8,896

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements

5,564

16,268

16,422

16,423

16,692

16,694

16,350

4,277

4,278

65,805

41,599

25,554

1,798

4,478

4,669

5,168

5,110

5,530

4,934

3,556

3,393

19,425

17,413

11,957

45,855

144,501

142,781

143,792

147,869

142,598

161,284

78,473

74,423

578,943

456,778

291,956

26,669

16,540

81,633

82,245

82,691

75,429

70,720

41,449

46,697

47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

Interest income

(68)

(335)

(184)

(186)

(143)

(128)

(114)

(343)

(408)

(848)

(993)

(1,053)

Interest expense

6,054

13,267

13,113

12,852

16,587

17,495

20,415

8,991

4,436

55,819

51,337

19,683

Other expense (income)

127

(1,427)

(983)

383

5,641

2,274

524

(608)

3,614

2,288

641

6,113

11,505

11,946

13,049

22,085

19,641

20,825

8,746

3,420

58,585

52,632

19,271

20,556

70,128

70,299

69,642

53,344

51,079

20,624

37,951

43,837

263,413

153,491

131,721

6,732

5,651

25,642

20,512

23,982

19,823

20,813

10,305

13,884

16,319

89,959

61,321

49,920

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

$ 92,170

$ 81,801

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.37

$ 0.41

$ 0.38

$ 0.28

$ 0.25

$ 0.09

$ 0.23

$ 0.26

$ 1.43

$ 0.82

$ 0.80

Transition Period Financial Information [Abstract]

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.36

$ 0.40

$ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.25

$ 0.08

$ 0.22

$ 0.26

$ 1.41

$ 0.81

$ 0.80

Basic

119,943

121,146

120,831

120,592

120,282

119,309

118,339

105,345

105,235

120,717

112,074

100,607

Diluted

121,803

122,536

122,303

122,235

122,013

121,172

120,341

106,003

105,844

122,276

113,357

100,860

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

Transition Period Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

^[1]

Aug. 31, 2010

^[1],[2]

May 31, 2010

^[1]

Feb. 28, 2010

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2011

Nov. 30, 2010

Nov. 30, 2009

$ 72,524

$ 40,487

$ 226,134

$ 225,026

$ 226,483

$ 223,298

$ 213,318

$ 202,733

$ 125,170

$ 121,680

$ 900,941

$ 662,901

$ 442,948

26,669

16,540

81,633

82,245

82,691

75,429

70,720

41,449

46,697

47,257

321,998

206,123

150,992

6,732

5,651

25,642

20,512

23,982

19,823

20,813

10,305

13,884

16,319

89,959

61,321

49,920

$ 13,824

$ 9,259

$ 44,486

$ 49,787

$ 45,660

$ 33,521

$ 30,266

$ 10,319

$ 24,067

$ 27,518

$ 173,454

$ 92,170

$ 81,801

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.37

$ 0.41

$ 0.38

$ 0.28

$ 0.25

$ 0.09

$ 0.23

$ 0.26

$ 1.43

$ 0.82

$ 0.80

$ 0.11

$ 0.09

$ 0.36

$ 0.40

$ 0.37

$ 0.27

$ 0.25

$ 0.08

$ 0.22

$ 0.26

$ 1.41

$ 0.81

$ 0.80

[1]

[2]

The Company included the results of RiskMetrics and Measurisk as of the June 1, 2010 and July 30, 2010 acquisition dates, respectively.

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 128
-Paragraph 36, 37, 38
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 5
-Section 03
-Paragraph 20

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 7
-Paragraph 18

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 21
-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6920599&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 55
-Paragraph 52
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945512&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.23)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 07-4
-Paragraph 4
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.