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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 28, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	MSCI
Entity Registrant Name	MSCI INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001408198
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		118,403,925

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 283,750	$ 183,309
Short-term investments		70,898
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $978 and $964 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	179,920	153,557
Deferred taxes	50,386	49,552
Prepaid taxes	47,377	32,431
Prepaid and other assets	28,662	25,088
Total current assets	590,095	514,835
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $73,856 and $59,078 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	73,809	67,419
Goodwill	1,797,223	1,783,410
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $359,513 and $316,099 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	607,766	641,074
Other non-current assets	12,696	12,901
Total assets	3,081,589	3,019,639
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	1,319	2,985
Accrued compensation and related benefits	96,030	113,359
Other accrued liabilities	46,380	42,486
Current maturities of long-term debt	54,130	43,093
Deferred revenue	334,094	308,022
Total current liabilities	531,953	509,945
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	753,285	811,623
Deferred taxes	229,877	234,245
Other non-current liabilities	44,327	38,595
Total liabilities	1,559,442	1,594,408
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 8)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)
Common stock (par value $0.01; 750,000,000 common shares authorized; 125,305,504 and 124,033,980 common shares issued and 118,403,925 and 120,114,586 common shares outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	1,253	1,240
Treasury shares, at cost (6,901,579 and 3,919,394 common shares held at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	(236,136)	(120,926)
Additional paid in capital	1,036,732	1,000,014
Retained earnings	722,999	547,699
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,701)	(2,796)
Total shareholders' equity	1,522,147	1,425,231
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,081,589	$ 3,019,639

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 978	$ 964
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, accumulated depreciation and amortization	73,856	59,078
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 359,513	$ 316,099
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	750,000,000	750,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	125,305,504	124,033,980
Common stock, shares outstanding	118,403,925	120,114,586
Treasury shares	6,901,579	3,919,394

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 258,238	$ 235,444	$ 768,045	$ 703,061
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	80,040	68,350	243,584	213,884
Selling, general and administrative	65,380	62,973	184,623	176,011
Restructuring				(51)
Amortization of intangible assets	14,448	15,959	43,443	47,877
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	5,934	4,633	16,260	13,711
Total operating expenses	165,802	151,915	487,910	451,432
Operating income	92,436	83,529	280,135	251,629
Interest income	(265)	(252)	(770)	(712)
Interest expense	5,827	7,314	19,351	49,250
Other expense (income)	627	873	497	1,997
Other expense (income), net	6,189	7,935	19,078	50,535
Income before provision for income taxes	86,247	75,594	261,057	201,094
Provision for income taxes	30,937	27,320	85,757	71,308
Net income	$ 55,310	$ 48,274	$ 175,300	$ 129,786
Earnings per basic common share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.45	$ 1.06
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.44	$ 1.05
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	119,607	122,261	120,497	122,016
Diluted	120,578	123,450	121,446	123,287

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 55,310	$ 48,274	$ 175,300	$ 129,786
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6,522	2,228	(1,252)	2,166
Income tax effect	(2,519)	(855)	479	(867)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net	4,003	1,373	(773)	1,299
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	197	610	1,364	1,134
Income tax effect	(77)	(234)	(524)	(457)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net	120	376	840	677
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		10	(5)	8
Income tax effect		(4)	2	(4)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net		6	(3)	4
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments	(68)	120	47	1,033
Income tax effect	17	(56)	(16)	(276)
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments, net	(51)	64	31	757
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	4,072	1,819	95	2,737
Comprehensive income	$ 59,382	$ 50,093	$ 175,395	$ 132,523

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 175,300	$ 129,786
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets	43,443	47,877
Stock-based compensation expense	19,150	19,409
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	16,260	13,711
Amortization of debt origination fees	2,179	17,099
Deferred taxes	(2,125)	(23,701)
Amortization of discount on long-term debt	699	5,072
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,766)	(1,579)
Other non-cash adjustments	(748)	(136)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:
Accounts receivable	(26,762)	56,822
Prepaid income taxes	(13,067)	84
Prepaid and other assets	(3,393)	436
Accounts payable	(2,017)	1,448
Deferred revenue	25,454	33,301
Accrued compensation and related benefits	(16,161)	(22,683)
Other accrued liabilities	3,147	(4,531)
Other	6,444	15,248
Net cash provided by operating activities	226,037	287,663
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from redemption of short-term investments	70,900	153,032
Purchase of short-term investments		(106,315)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(23,268)
Proceeds from the sale of capital equipment	29
Capitalized software development costs	(1,829)
Capital expenditures	(20,899)	(38,109)
Net cash provided by investing activities	24,933	8,608
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowing, net of discount		876,087
Repayment of long-term debt	(48,000)	(1,092,563)
Payment of debt issuance costs		(3,870)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(109,928)	(2,924)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,308	10,761
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	1,766	1,579
Net cash used in financing activities	(146,854)	(210,930)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(3,675)	2,906
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	100,441	88,247
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	183,309	252,211
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	283,750	340,458
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	15,099	28,593
Cash paid for income taxes	99,642	92,575
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements in other accrued liabilities	$ 5,219	$ 3,463

Introduction and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION MSCI Inc. together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “MSCI”) is a global provider of investment decision support tools, 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 ESG 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, and executive compensation analytics tools marketed under the ISS brand, its valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets marketed under the FEA brand, its private real estate benchmarks marketed under the IPD brand and its products for monitoring, analyzing and reporting on institutional assets for institutional investment consultants marketed under the InvestorForce 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 equity indices, real estate indices and benchmarks, portfolio risk and performance analytics, credit analytics and ESG products. The Governance business is a provider of corporate governance products, services and data solutions to institutional shareholders and corporations around the world. (See Note 12, “Segment Information,” for further information about MSCI’s operating segments.) Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI Inc. and its subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial condition as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from the 2012 audited consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The Company’s unaudited condensed 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 unaudited condensed 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 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company believes that estimates used in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable; however, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Adjustment to Revenue During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as a result of a one-time adjustment, the Company recorded a $5.2 million cumulative revenue reduction to correct an immaterial error related to revenues previously reported through December 31, 2011. The effect of recording this adjustment in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 resulted in a one-time decrease to the energy and commodity analytics products revenues in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and an increase in deferred revenues in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. It was determined that under the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition,” the Company incorrectly established vendor specific objective evidence, or VSOE, for certain energy and commodity analytics products and as a result should not have been recognizing a substantial portion of the revenue immediately upon delivery or renewal of a time-based subscription license, the terms of which are generally one year. Rather, the entire license fee should have been recognized ratably over the term of the license. As such, the Company made the cumulative adjustment effective January 1, 2012 and started recognizing revenue related to all contracts still in effect as of this date ratably over the remainder of the term. The Company began recognizing revenue ratably over the contract term for any new contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2012. Based upon an evaluation of all relevant factors, management believes the correcting adjustment did not have a material impact on the Company’s previously reported results and, accordingly, has determined that restatement of previously issued financial statements is not necessary. *Concentrations* Financial instruments that may potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and short-term investments. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalent amounts were $283.8 million and $183.3 million, respectively. The Company held no short-term investments at September 30, 2013. At December 31, 2012, the Company had invested $70.9 million 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no single customer accounted for 10.0% or more of the Company’s operating revenues.

- Definition

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

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+ Details

Recent Accounting Standards Updates	9 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” or ASU 2013-02. The amendments in this update require an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes thereto, significant amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective net income line item. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-10, “Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes,” or ASU 2013-10. The amendments in this update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” in addition to the interest rates on direct Treasury obligations of the U.S. government and LIBOR. The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-10 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” or ASU 2013-11. The amendments in this update require that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except under a few limited circumstances. The amendments in this update do not require new recurring disclosures. This new guidance is to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

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.

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+ Details

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

3. RECLASSIFICATIONS OUT OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

As required by ASC Subtopic 220-10, “Comprehensive Income—Overall,” the following table presents the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by the respective line item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)⁽¹⁾

(in thousands)


Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)						Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2013			2013
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts	$	(197	)	$	(1,364	)	Interest expense
		77			524		Tax benefit

	$	(120	)	$	(840	)	Net of tax


Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
Short-term investments	$	—		$	5		Interest income
		—			(2	)	Tax expense

	$	—		$	3		Net of tax


Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	$	(120	)	$	(837	)

⁽¹⁾	Amounts in parentheses indicate expenses or losses moved to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Earnings Per Common Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to MSCI common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Shares of common stock 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 1,133 and 453 anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. There were no anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2012. There were 2,903 anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

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:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	55,310		$	48,274		$	175,300		$	129,786
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units ⁽¹⁾		(211	)		(304	)		(668	)		(818	)

Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$	55,099		$	47,970		$	174,632		$	128,968

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		119,607			122,261			120,497			122,016

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		119,607			122,261			120,497			122,016
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		971			1,189			949			1,271

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		120,578			123,450			121,446			123,287

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.46		$	0.39		$	1.45		$	1.06

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.46		$	0.39		$	1.44		$	1.05

⁽¹⁾

Restricted stock units granted to employees prior to 2013 and all restricted stock units granted to independent directors of the Company have a right to participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, these restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Short-Term Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Short-Term Investments

5. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company began investing excess cash in money market funds and other similar cash equivalents rather than in U.S. Treasury securities and other short-term investments as it had in prior periods. As a result, the Company held no short-term investments as of September 30, 2013.

The fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:


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

U.S. Treasury securities	$	70,893	$	5	$	—	$	70,898

There were no investments with continuous unrealized losses for less than 12 months as of December 31, 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References + Details

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

6. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:


		As of
Type	Estimated Useful Lives	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	3 to 5 years	$	83,708		$	67,529
Furniture & fixtures	7 years		8,182			7,847
Leasehold improvements	3 to 21 years		50,573			48,405
Work-in-process	—		5,202			2,716

Subtotal			147,665			126,497
Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(73,856	)		(59,078	)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		$	73,809		$	67,419

Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $5.9 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $16.3 million and $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

7. GOODWLL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The Company carries goodwill as a result of its acquisitions of Barra, LLC (“Barra”), RiskMetrics Group, LLC (“RiskMetrics”), Measurisk, LLC (“Measurisk”), IPD Group Limited (“IPD”) and Investor Force Holdings, Inc. (“InvestorForce”), as reflected in the table below:


	Performance and Risk			Governance			Total
(in thousands)

Goodwill at December 31, 2012 ⁽¹⁾	$	1,530,849		$	252,561		$	1,783,410
Changes to goodwill ⁽²⁾		14,370			(468	)		13,902
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(89	)		—			(89	)

Goodwill at September 30, 2013	$	1,545,130		$	252,093		$	1,797,223

⁽¹⁾

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company identified an error in the deferred tax allocation between its operating segments dating back to the June 1, 2010 acquisition of RiskMetrics. The Company determined that a deferred tax liability that was reflected as a component of the Performance and Risk segment’s books should have been recorded on the Governance segment’s books. The adjustment decreases the net deferred tax liability and goodwill value of the Performance and Risk segment’s books by $21.4 million while increasing the net deferred tax liability and goodwill on the Governance segments books by an offsetting $21.4 million. The correction was made during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and the goodwill at December 31, 2012 has been adjusted to reflect the correct allocations between the operating segments. The correction did not have an effect on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or segment results of operations for any period.

⁽²⁾

Resulting from the acquisition of InvestorForce, which contributed $11.6 million to the Performance and Risk segment, adjustments to the valuation of acquired IPD assets and liabilities, which contributed $2.7 million to the Performance and Risk segment, and the disposal of the CFRA product line, which removed $0.5 million from the Governance segment.

Intangible Assets

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $14.4 million and $16.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $43.4 million and $47.9 million, respectively.

The gross carrying amounts, accumulated amortization and net carrying values related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:


	As of
(in thousands)	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	478,735		$	474,236
Trademarks/trade names		257,282			256,582
Technology/software		198,322			193,192
Proprietary process		3,800			3,800
Proprietary data		28,527			28,527


Subtotal		966,666			956,337
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		613			836


Total gross intangible assets	$	967,279		$	957,173


Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(117,166	)	$	(92,631	)
Trademarks/trade names		(72,291	)		(62,270	)
Technology/software		(166,030	)		(159,375	)
Proprietary process		(2,111	)		(1,636	)
Proprietary data		(1,772	)		(184	)


Subtotal		(359,370	)		(316,096	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(143	)		(3	)


Total accumulated amortization	$	(359,513	)	$	(316,099	)


Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	361,569		$	381,605
Trademarks/trade names		184,991			194,312
Technology/software		32,292			33,817
Proprietary process		1,689			2,164
Proprietary data		26,755			28,343


Subtotal		607,296			640,241
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		470			833


Total net intangible assets	$	607,766		$	641,074

The estimated amortization expense for succeeding years is presented below:


Fiscal Year	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2013	$	14,481
2014		58,086
2015		58,169
2016		56,032
2017		49,918
2018		47,379
Thereafter		323,701


Total	$	607,766

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

8. 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 three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $6.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively. Rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $18.9 million and $19.0 million, respectively.

Share repurchase. On December 13, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $300.0 million worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock beginning immediately and continuing through December 31, 2014 (the “2012 Repurchase Program”). As part of this authorization, on December 13, 2012, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with a financial institution to initiate share repurchases aggregating $100.0 million (the “December 2012 ASR Program”). The December 2012 ASR Program was structured as a capped ASR in which the Company paid $100.0 million and received approximately 2.2 million shares on December 14, 2012, representing the minimum number of common shares to be repurchased based on a calculation using a specific capped price per share. On July 31, 2013, the Company completed the December 2012 ASR Program, receiving an additional 0.8 million shares. In total, 3.0 million shares were delivered to MSCI for an average purchase price of $33.47 per share. The repurchased shares are held in treasury.

On August 1, 2013, MSCI entered into a new ASR agreement to initiate share repurchases aggregating $100.0 million (the “August 2013 ASR Program”). The August 2013 ASR Program is structured as a capped ASR in which, on August 2, 2013, MSCI paid $100.0 million and received approximately 1.9 million shares, representing the minimum number of common shares to be repurchased based on a calculation using a specific capped price per share. This price is capped such that only under limited circumstances may the Company be required to deliver shares or pay cash at settlement. The repurchased shares are held in treasury. The Company anticipates that all repurchases under the August 2013 ASR Program will be completed no later than the final repurchase date in December 2013, although settlement of the August 2013 ASR Program may be accelerated under certain circumstances. Additionally, depending on the average share price through the completion date in December 2013, MSCI may receive additional shares under the August 2013 ASR Program.

The $100.0 million payment for the August 2013 ASR Program was initially split and recorded as a $70.0 million increase to “Treasury stock” and a $30.0 million decrease to “Additional paid in capital” on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition to reflect the initial estimate of the value of shares received. The 2012 Repurchase Program, except for the ASR, may be modified, suspended, terminated or extended by the Company at any time without prior notice. The remaining $100.0 million balance authorized under the 2012 Repurchase Program will be available for utilization through December 31, 2014 at the Company’s discretion.

Long-term debt. On June 1, 2010, the Company entered into a senior secured credit agreement comprised of (i) a six-year term loan facility (the “2010 Term Loan”) and (ii) a five-year revolving credit facility (the revolving credit facility, together with the 2010 Term Loan, the “2010 Credit Facility”).

On March 14, 2011, the Company completed the repricing of the 2010 Credit Facility pursuant to Amendment No. 2 to the 2010 Credit Facility (“Amendment No. 2”). Amendment No. 2 provided for the incurrence of a new senior secured term loan (the “2011 Term Loan”). The proceeds of the 2011 Term Loan, together with cash on hand, were used to repay the remaining outstanding balance of the 2010 Term Loan in full. The 2011 Term Loan was to mature in March 2017.

On May 4, 2012, the Company amended and restated its 2010 Credit Facility (the credit agreement as so amended and restated, the “Amended and Restated Credit Facility”). The Amended and Restated Credit Facility provides for the incurrence of a new senior secured five-year Term Loan A Facility in an aggregate amount of $880.0 million (the “2012 Term Loan”) and a $100.0 million senior secured revolving facility (the “2012 Revolving Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, together with cash on hand, were used to repay the remaining outstanding principal of the then-existing 2011 Term Loan. The 2012 Term Loan and the 2012 Revolving Credit Facility mature on May 4, 2017. The Company is required to repay 5.00% per annum of the 2012 Term Loan in quarterly payments over the first two years, 10.00% per annum of the 2012 Term Loan in quarterly payments over the next two years, and 70.00% of the 2012 Term Loan in quarterly payments over the final year.

The 2012 Term Loan bears interest equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin. As of September 30, 2013, the 2012 Term Loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00%, or 2.18%. In March 2013, the Company made a $15.0 million prepayment on the 2012 Term Loan.

Current maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2013 was $54.1 million, net of a $0.9 million discount. Long-term debt, net of current maturities at September 30, 2013 was $753.3 million, net of a $1.7 million discount.

Current maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2012 was $43.1 million, net of a $0.9 million discount. Long-term debt, net of current maturities at December 31, 2012 was $811.6 million, net of a $2.4 million discount.

In connection with entering into the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, the Company paid $5.7 million in fees, $3.9 million of which are being deferred. These financing fees, together with the existing fees related to prior credit facilities, are being amortized over the life of the Amended and Restated Credit Facility. At September 30, 2013, $8.4 million of the deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $2.7 million of which is included in “Prepaid and other assets” and $5.7 million of which is included in “Other non-current assets” on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

The Company amortized $0.7 million and $0.5 million of deferred financing fees in interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company amortized $2.2 million and $17.1 million of deferred financing fees in interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Approximately $0.2 million of debt discount was amortized in interest expense during each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Approximately $0.7 million and $5.1 million of debt discount were amortized in interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair market value of the Company’s debt obligations were $813.0 million and $862.3 million, respectively. The fair market value is determined in accordance with accounting standards related to the determination of fair value as discussed in Note 9, “Fair Value Measures,” and represents Level 2 valuations. The Company utilizes the market approach and obtains security pricing from a vendor who uses broker quotes and third-party pricing services to determine fair values.

The Amended and Restated Credit Facility also amended certain negative covenants, including financial covenants.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s retained earnings of $723.0 million were restricted as to the payments of dividends. As outlined in the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, the Company cannot pay or declare any dividends except out of amounts available for restricted payments. As of September 30, 2013, the amount available for restricted payments was $355.7 million, reflecting the Company’s cumulative retained excess cash flows (“CRECF”), as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, through December 31, 2012 and adjusted for any restricted payments made during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. To the extent the CRECF is utilized for other actions restricted under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, including stock repurchases, the amount available for restricted payments will be reduced.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities. 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 had previously entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arose 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, and may do so again in the future. The Company’s derivative financial instruments were used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings.

Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency, the U.S. dollar. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk. As a result of the repayment of the 2011 Term Loan on May 4, 2012 and 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 has not entered into new interest rate swaps to hedge its debt and it is not required to do so under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility. The Company continued to report the net loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedges in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and reclassified this amount into earnings through the contractual term of the swap agreements which ended in August 2013.

Non-designated Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate movements but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had three outstanding foreign currency forwards with a combined notional amount of $40.5 million that were not designated as hedges in qualifying hedging relationships.

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 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:


(in thousands)	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Location		As of September 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Liability derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts		Other accrued liabilities	$	(1,349	)	$	(203	)
Asset derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts		Prepaid and other assets	$	—		$	3

The following tables present the effect of the Company’s financial derivatives and the location in which they are presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended September 30,				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 (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended September 30,						Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2013		2012			2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	Interest expense	$	(197	)	$	(610	)	Interest expense	$	—	$	—


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,						Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2013		2012				2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	(695	)	Interest expense	$	(1,364	)	$	(1,827	)	Interest expense	$	—	$	—


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives for the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense	$	(1,472	)	$	—


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense	$	(185	)	$	—

Fair Value Measures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measures

9. FAIR VALUE MEASURES

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013:


Description	Balance as of September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
*Assets:*

Short-term investments	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—

*Liabilities:*

Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,349	)	$	—	$	(1,349	)	$	—

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
*Assets:*
Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	70,898		$	—	$	70,898		$	—

Total short-term investments		70,898			—		70,898			—

Foreign exchange contracts		3			—		3			—

Total financial assets	$	70,901		$	—	$	70,901		$	—


*Liabilities:*
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(203	)	$	—	$	(203	)	$	—

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 short-term investments consisted of U.S. Treasury securities and were classified within Level 2, as there was not an active market for these securities, but the market pricing data used to calculate the value of the instruments was derived from similar securities traded in active markets.

The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts were classified within Level 2, as they were valued using pricing models that took into account the contract terms as well as multiple observable inputs where applicable, such as prevailing spot rates and forward points.

- Definition

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.

+ References + Details

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
Employee Benefits	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefits	10. 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. Costs relating to 401(k), pension and post-retirement benefit expenses were $5.0 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts included in cost of services were $3.4 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts included in selling, general and administrative expense related to pension and post-retirement expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, costs relating to 401(k), pension and post-retirement benefit expenses were $16.9 million and $15.3 million, respectively. Amounts included in cost of services were $10.7 million and $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amounts included in selling, general and administrative expense related to pension and post-retirement expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $6.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively. 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. The Company’s expenses associated with the 401(k) plan and other defined contribution plans were $4.3 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s expenses associated with the 401(k) plan and other defined contribution plans were $15.0 million and $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net Periodic Benefit Expense. Net periodic benefit expense related to defined benefit pension plans was $0.7 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net periodic benefit expense related to defined benefit pension plans was $1.9 million and $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes was $85.8 million and $71.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 32.8% and 35.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effective rate of 32.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period and is impacted by certain discrete items totaling $3.3 million, the effect of which was to decrease the Company’s effective tax rate by 2.2 percentage points.

The Company is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other tax authorities in certain countries, such as the United Kingdom, and in states in which the Company has significant business operations, such as New York. The tax years currently under examination vary by jurisdiction. During 2010, Morgan Stanley reached a settlement with New York State and New York City tax authorities on issues relating to tax years 2002 through 2006. During the year ended December 31, 2012, it was determined that MSCI’s share of the assessed tax and interest was $12.0 million, which the Company paid in accordance with the tax sharing agreement between it and Morgan Stanley, dated as of November 20, 2007. This reflected the final settlement of these tax issues with Morgan Stanley relating to tax years 2002 through 2006.

The Company may have future settlements with Morgan Stanley related to the ultimate disposition of its New York State and New York City examination relating to the tax years 2007 through 2008 and its IRS examination relating to the tax years 2006 through 2008. The Company does not believe it has any material exposure for the New York State and New York City examination as the tax returns for those years were filed in a method consistent with the findings of the aforementioned settlement for the tax years 2002 through 2006. Additionally, the Company believes it has adequate reserves for any tax issues that may arise out of the IRS examination relating to the tax years 2006 through 2008 and therefore does not believe any related settlement with Morgan Stanley will have a material impact.

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 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		Tax Years
United States		2005-2012
California		2009-2012
New York State		2007-2011
New York City		2007-2011
Hong Kong		2006-2012
United Kingdom		2010-2011
Canada		2006-2012
Japan		2009-2012
India		2008-2012

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

12. 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, or CODM, in deciding how to allocate resources. MSCI’s Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be its CODM, reviews financial information presented on an operating segment basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. MSCI operates 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 equity indices, real estate indices and benchmarks, 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, regulatory and client reporting, 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, services and data solutions to institutional investors 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 equity 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. It also provides class action monitoring and claims filing services to aid institutional investors in the recovery of funds from securities class actions. 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 estimates, 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Performance and Risk	$	228,608	$	205,389	$	676,500	$	611,054
Governance		29,630		30,055		91,545		92,007

Consolidated	$	258,238	$	235,444	$	768,045	$	703,061


Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
Performance and Risk	$	16,038	$	16,393	$	46,843	$	49,053
Governance		4,344		4,199		12,860		12,535

Consolidated	$	20,382	$	20,592	$	59,703	$	61,588


Operating income
Performance and Risk	$	88,172	$	80,472	$	268,445	$	243,927
Governance		4,264		3,057		11,690		7,702

Consolidated	$	92,436	$	83,529	$	280,135	$	251,629

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:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Revenues
Americas:
United States	$	126,333	$	122,199	$	375,263	$	362,464
Other		10,015		8,418		27,605		24,313


Total Americas		136,348		130,617		402,868		386,777


Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”):
United Kingdom		38,502		28,127		111,303		84,337
Other		53,190		45,639		164,172		139,559


Total EMEA		91,692		73,766		275,475		223,896


Asia & Australia:
Japan		12,950		14,403		38,125		43,222
Other		17,248		16,658		51,577		49,166


Total Asia & Australia		30,198		31,061		89,702		92,388


Total	$	258,238	$	235,444	$	768,045	$	703,061

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
	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets

Americas:
United States	$	2,317,769	$	2,334,877
Other		4,187		4,608


Total Americas		2,321,956		2,339,485


EMEA:
United Kingdom		141,249		139,714
Other		9,897		8,749


Total EMEA		151,146		148,463


Asia & Australia:
Japan		253		297
Other		5,443		3,658


Total Asia & Australia		5,696		3,955


Total	$	2,478,798	$	2,491,903

- Definition

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.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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+ Details

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	13. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS 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, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which the Company has adopted as required. The total purchase price is allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets based upon their fair values as of the acquisition dates. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible assets and intangible assets was recorded as goodwill. The allocation of the purchase price was based upon a valuation and is subject to change within the one-year measurement period following the acquisition. MSCI expects to continue to obtain information to assist it in determining the fair value of the net assets acquired at the acquisition date during the measurement period. *Acquisition of IPD* On November 30, 2012, MSCI Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, paid cash of $124.8 million to acquire real estate performance measurement group IPD. The acquisition of IPD expands the Company’s multi-asset class offering by facilitating the integration of private real estate assets into its models, as well as adding a family of real estate indices to the Company’s family of equity indices. IPD is dedicated to the objective measurement of the commercial real estate market. Headquartered in London, with offices around the world, IPD is a leading provider of real estate performance analysis for funds, investors, managers, lenders and occupiers and offers a wide range of services that include research, reporting, benchmarking and indices. IPD has been added as a component of the Performance and Risk segment. As of September 30, 2013, the preliminary purchase price allocations for the IPD acquisition were $76.5 million for goodwill, $58.7 million for identifiable intangible assets, $18.6 million for assets other than identifiable intangible assets and $29.0 million for other liabilities. *Acquisition of InvestorForce* On January 29, 2013, MSCI completed the acquisition of InvestorForce by paying $23.6 million in cash. The acquisition of InvestorForce enhances MSCI’s position as a leader in performance analysis and risk transparency and furthers its goal of providing investment decision support tools to institutional investors across all client segments and asset classes. InvestorForce is a leading provider of performance reporting solutions to the institutional investment community in the United States, providing investment consultants with an integrated solution for daily monitoring, analysis and reporting on institutional assets. InvestorForce has been added as a component of the Performance and Risk segment. As of September 30, 2013, the preliminary purchase price allocations for the InvestorForce acquisition were $11.6 million for goodwill, $9.1 million for identifiable intangible assets, $6.4 million for assets other than identifiable intangible assets and $3.5 million for other liabilities. Primarily as a result of additional income tax information being received and a working capital adjustment, certain InvestorForce acquired tax asset values increased by $7.5 million and goodwill decreased by $7.4 million compared to those reported in the three months ended March 31, 2013. *Disposition of CFRA* On March 31, 2013, MSCI completed the sale of its CFRA product line, which was a component of the Governance segment. The results of operations from the CFRA product line and the sale of CFRA were not material to the Company.

- Definition

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).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)⁽¹⁾

(in thousands)


Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)						Affected Line Item in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2013			2013
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts	$	(197	)	$	(1,364	)	Interest expense
		77			524		Tax benefit

	$	(120	)	$	(840	)	Net of tax


Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
Short-term investments	$	—		$	5		Interest income
		—			(2	)	Tax expense

	$	—		$	3		Net of tax


Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	$	(120	)	$	(837	)

⁽¹⁾	Amounts in parentheses indicate expenses or losses moved to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted EPS:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	55,310		$	48,274		$	175,300		$	129,786
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units ⁽¹⁾		(211	)		(304	)		(668	)		(818	)


Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$	55,099		$	47,970		$	174,632		$	128,968


Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		119,607			122,261			120,497			122,016


Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		119,607			122,261			120,497			122,016
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		971			1,189			949			1,271


Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		120,578			123,450			121,446			123,287


Earnings per basic common share	$	0.46		$	0.39		$	1.45		$	1.06


Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.46		$	0.39		$	1.44		$	1.05

⁽¹⁾

Short-Term Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses of Debt Securities Available-for-Sale

The fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses of securities available-for-sale as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:


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

U.S. Treasury securities	$	70,893	$	5	$	—	$	70,898

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

+ References + Details

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:


		As of
Type	Estimated Useful Lives	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	3 to 5 years	$	83,708		$	67,529
Furniture & fixtures	7 years		8,182			7,847
Leasehold improvements	3 to 21 years		50,573			48,405
Work-in-process	—		5,202			2,716

Subtotal			147,665			126,497
Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(73,856	)		(59,078	)

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		$	73,809		$	67,419

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill


	Performance and Risk			Governance			Total
(in thousands)

Goodwill at December 31, 2012 ⁽¹⁾	$	1,530,849		$	252,561		$	1,783,410
Changes to goodwill ⁽²⁾		14,370			(468	)		13,902
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(89	)		—			(89	)

Goodwill at September 30, 2013	$	1,545,130		$	252,093		$	1,797,223

⁽¹⁾

⁽²⁾

Components of Intangible Assets by Major Class

The gross carrying amounts, accumulated amortization and net carrying values related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:


	As of
(in thousands)	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	478,735		$	474,236
Trademarks/trade names		257,282			256,582
Technology/software		198,322			193,192
Proprietary process		3,800			3,800
Proprietary data		28,527			28,527


Subtotal		966,666			956,337
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		613			836


Total gross intangible assets	$	967,279		$	957,173


Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(117,166	)	$	(92,631	)
Trademarks/trade names		(72,291	)		(62,270	)
Technology/software		(166,030	)		(159,375	)
Proprietary process		(2,111	)		(1,636	)
Proprietary data		(1,772	)		(184	)


Subtotal		(359,370	)		(316,096	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(143	)		(3	)


Total accumulated amortization	$	(359,513	)	$	(316,099	)


Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	361,569		$	381,605
Trademarks/trade names		184,991			194,312
Technology/software		32,292			33,817
Proprietary process		1,689			2,164
Proprietary data		26,755			28,343


Subtotal		607,296			640,241
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		470			833


Total net intangible assets	$	607,766		$	641,074

Estimated Amortization Expense for Succeeding Years

The estimated amortization expense for succeeding years is presented below:


Fiscal Year	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2013	$	14,481
2014		58,086
2015		58,169
2016		56,032
2017		49,918
2018		47,379
Thereafter		323,701

Total	$	607,766

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments


(in thousands)	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition Location		As of September 30, 2013			As of December 31, 2012
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Liability derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts		Other accrued liabilities	$	(1,349	)	$	(203	)
Asset derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts		Prepaid and other assets	$	—		$	3

Interest Rate Swaps and Derivative Instruments


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended September 30,				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 (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion) for the Three Months Ended September 30,						Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2013		2012			2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	Interest expense	$	(197	)	$	(610	)	Interest expense	$	—	$	—


Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,					Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,						Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing) for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2013		2012				2013			2012				2013		2012
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	(695	)	Interest expense	$	(1,364	)	$	(1,827	)	Interest expense	$	—	$	—


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives for the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense	$	(1,472	)	$	—


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2012
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense	$	(185	)	$	—

Fair Value Measures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013:


Description	Balance as of September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
*Assets:*

Short-term investments	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—

*Liabilities:*

Foreign exchange contracts	$	(1,349	)	$	—	$	(1,349	)	$	—

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:


Description	Balance as of December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
*Assets:*
Short-term investments:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	70,898		$	—	$	70,898		$	—

Total short-term investments		70,898			—		70,898			—

Foreign exchange contracts		3			—		3			—

Total financial assets	$	70,901		$	—	$	70,901		$	—


*Liabilities:*
Foreign exchange contracts	$	(203	)	$	—	$	(203	)	$	—

Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Major Tax Jurisdictions and Open Tax Years

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		Tax Years
United States		2005-2012
California		2009-2012
New York State		2007-2011
New York City		2007-2011
Hong Kong		2006-2012
United Kingdom		2010-2011
Canada		2006-2012
Japan		2009-2012
India		2008-2012

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Key Financial Information by Operating Segments

The following table presents MSCI’s operating segments’ results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Performance and Risk	$	228,608	$	205,389	$	676,500	$	611,054
Governance		29,630		30,055		91,545		92,007

Consolidated	$	258,238	$	235,444	$	768,045	$	703,061


Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
Performance and Risk	$	16,038	$	16,393	$	46,843	$	49,053
Governance		4,344		4,199		12,860		12,535

Consolidated	$	20,382	$	20,592	$	59,703	$	61,588


Operating income
Performance and Risk	$	88,172	$	80,472	$	268,445	$	243,927
Governance		4,264		3,057		11,690		7,702

Consolidated	$	92,436	$	83,529	$	280,135	$	251,629

Revenue by Geographic Area

The following table sets forth revenue for the periods indicated by geographic area:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Revenues
Americas:
United States	$	126,333	$	122,199	$	375,263	$	362,464
Other		10,015		8,418		27,605		24,313


Total Americas		136,348		130,617		402,868		386,777


Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”):
United Kingdom		38,502		28,127		111,303		84,337
Other		53,190		45,639		164,172		139,559


Total EMEA		91,692		73,766		275,475		223,896


Asia & Australia:
Japan		12,950		14,403		38,125		43,222
Other		17,248		16,658		51,577		49,166


Total Asia & Australia		30,198		31,061		89,702		92,388


Total	$	258,238	$	235,444	$	768,045	$	703,061

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area

The following table sets forth long-lived assets on the dates indicated by geographic area:


	As of
	September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets

Americas:
United States	$	2,317,769	$	2,334,877
Other		4,187		4,608


Total Americas		2,321,956		2,339,485


EMEA:
United Kingdom		141,249		139,714
Other		9,897		8,749


Total EMEA		151,146		148,463


Asia & Australia:
Japan		253		297
Other		5,443		3,658


Total Asia & Australia		5,696		3,955


Total	$	2,478,798	$	2,491,903

Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) Segment d	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of operating segments \| Segment			2
Cumulative revenue reduction of one-time adjustment				$ 5,200
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 283,750	$ 340,458	$ 283,750	$ 340,458	$ 183,309	$ 252,211
U.S. Treasury Securities					$ 70,898
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Minimum [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Debt security maturity (days) \| d			91
Maximum [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Debt security maturity (days) \| d			360

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Schedule of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ (5,827)	$ (7,314)	$ (19,351)	$ (49,250)
Tax benefit (expense)	(30,937)	(27,320)	(85,757)	(71,308)
Net income	55,310	48,274	175,300	129,786
Interest income	265	$ 252	770	$ 712
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	(120)		(837)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] \| Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Tax benefit (expense)	77		524
Net income	(120)		(840)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] \| Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges [Member] \| Interest rate swaps [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ (197)		(1,364)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] \| Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Tax benefit (expense)			(2)
Net income			3
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] \| Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities [Member] \| Short-term investments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest income			$ 5

Earnings Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	1,133	0	453	2,903

Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 55,310	$ 48,274	$ 175,300	$ 129,786
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units	(211)	(304)	(668)	(818)
Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$ 55,099	$ 47,970	$ 174,632	$ 128,968
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	119,607	122,261	120,497	122,016
Stock options and restricted stock units	971	1,189	949	1,271
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	120,578	123,450	121,446	123,287
Earnings per basic common share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.45	$ 1.06
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.44	$ 1.05

- Definition

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

+ References + Details

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: 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 2: 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=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: 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 4: 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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: 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 7: 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 8: 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=28358780&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

+ Details

Short-Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortized Cost And Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract]
Short-term investment held by company		$ 70,898

Short-Term Investments - Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses of Debt Securities Available-for-Sale (Detail) - U.S. Treasury securities [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost plus Accrued Interest	$ 70,893
Gross unrealized gains	5
Gross unrealized losses
Estimated Fair value	$ 70,898

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Computer & related equipment	$ 83,708	$ 67,529
Furniture & fixtures	8,182	7,847
Leasehold improvements	50,573	48,405
Work-in-process	5,202	2,716
Subtotal	147,665	126,497
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(73,856)	(59,078)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$ 73,809	$ 67,419
Computer & related equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Computer & related equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Furniture & fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	7 years
Leasehold improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Leasehold improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	21 years

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$ 5,934	$ 4,633	$ 16,260	$ 13,711

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 1,783,410
Changes to goodwill	13,902
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(89)
Goodwill, Ending balance	1,797,223
Performance and Risk [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	1,530,849
Changes to goodwill	14,370
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(89)
Goodwill, Ending balance	1,545,130
Governance [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	252,561
Changes to goodwill	(468)
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 252,093

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Performance and Risk [Member] \| Investor Force Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustments to goodwill from acquisitions of IPD and InvestorForce		$ 11.6
Performance and Risk [Member] \| IPD [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustments to goodwill from acquisitions of IPD and InvestorForce		2.7
Governance [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Adjustments to goodwill from sale of CFRA		$ 0.5
Performance and Risk Segments Books [Member] \| Error Correction [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in net deferred tax liability and goodwill value	$ (21.4)
Governance Segments Books [Member] \| Error Correction [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in net deferred tax liability and goodwill value	$ 21.4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 14,448	$ 15,959	$ 43,443	$ 47,877

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets by Major Class (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	$ 967,279	$ 957,173
Accumulated amortization	(359,513)	(316,099)
Net carrying value	607,766	641,074
Subtotal [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	966,666	956,337
Accumulated amortization	(359,370)	(316,096)
Net carrying value	607,296	640,241
Customer relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	478,735	474,236
Accumulated amortization	(117,166)	(92,631)
Net carrying value	361,569	381,605
Trademarks/trade names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	257,282	256,582
Accumulated amortization	(72,291)	(62,270)
Net carrying value	184,991	194,312
Technology/software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	198,322	193,192
Accumulated amortization	(166,030)	(159,375)
Net carrying value	32,292	33,817
Proprietary process [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	3,800	3,800
Accumulated amortization	(2,111)	(1,636)
Net carrying value	1,689	2,164
Proprietary data [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	28,527	28,527
Accumulated amortization	(1,772)	(184)
Net carrying value	26,755	28,343
Foreign exchange translation adjustment [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	613	836
Accumulated amortization	(143)	(3)
Net carrying value	$ 470	$ 833

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for Succeeding Years (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2013	$ 14,481
2014	58,086
2015	58,169
2016	56,032
2017	49,918
2018	47,379
Thereafter	323,701
Total	$ 607,766	$ 641,074

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	May 04, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 14, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) Instruments shares	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) Instruments $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2013 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2013 shares	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 14, 2012 USD ($) shares	Dec. 13, 2012 USD ($)
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Annual rent expense			$ 6,500		$ 6,000	$ 18,900	$ 19,000
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares												$ 300,000
Stockholders equity period increase decrease						100,000
Remaining stock to be repurchased						100,000
Debt principal repayment over first two years	5.00%
Debt principal repayment over next two years	10.00%
Debt principal repayment over final year	70.00%
Current maturities of long-term debt			54,130			54,130				$ 43,093
Discount on long-term debt current			900			900				900
Long-term debt, net of current maturities			753,285			753,285				811,623
Discount on long-term debt non current			1,700			1,700				2,400
Deferred financing fees unamortized			8,400			8,400
Amortized deferred financing fees			700		500	2,200	17,100
Amortized debt discount			200		$ 200	699	$ 5,072
Fair market value of debt obligations			813,000			813,000				862,300
Retained earnings were restricted as to the payments of dividends			$ 722,999			722,999				$ 547,699
Amount available for restricted payments						$ 355,700
Number of foreign currency forwards \| Instruments			3			3
Foreign currency forwards [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Foreign currency forwards, notional amount			$ 40,500			$ 40,500
Treasury stock [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Stockholders equity period increase decrease						70,000
Additional paid in capital [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Stockholders equity period increase decrease						30,000
Prepaid and other assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees unamortized			2,700			2,700
Other non-current assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees unamortized			$ 5,700			$ 5,700
2011 Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maturity period of the facility		Mar. 01, 2017
December 2012 ASR Program [Member] \| Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Shares repurchases, value											$ 100,000
Repurchased common shares \| shares			3.0			3.0			0.8		2.2
Repurchased common shares, average purchase price paid per share \| $ / shares						$ 33.47
August 2013 ASR Program [Member] \| Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Shares repurchases, value								$ 100,000
Repurchased common shares \| shares								1.9
Amended and Restated Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Amended and Restated Credit Facility fee paid						$ 5,700
Deferred financing fees			$ 3,900			$ 3,900
Term Loan A [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maturity period of the facility	May 04, 2017
Aggregate amount of debt	$ 880,000
Senior Secured Revolving Facility [Member] \| Amended and Restated Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maturity period of the facility	May 04, 2017
Aggregate amount of debt	$ 100,000
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Prepayment of Term Loan				$ 15,000
Term Loan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Initial bearing interest rate, percentage			2.00%			2.00%
Term Loan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Initial bearing interest rate, percentage			2.18%			2.18%

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] - Foreign exchange contracts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other accrued liabilities [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	$ (1,349)	$ (203)
Prepaid and other assets [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Asset derivatives		$ 3

Commitments and Contingencies - Interest Rate Swaps and Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest expense [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Effective Portion)	$ (197)	$ (610)	$ (1,364)	$ (1,827)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
Other expense [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(1,472)		(185)
Interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				$ (695)

Fair Value Measures - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments		$ 70,898
Foreign exchange contracts		3
Total financial assets		70,901
Foreign exchange contracts	(1,349)	(203)
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments		70,898
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments
Foreign exchange contracts
Total financial assets
Foreign exchange contracts
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments		70,898
Foreign exchange contracts		3
Total financial assets		70,901
Foreign exchange contracts	(1,349)	(203)
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]
Short-term investments		70,898
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments
Foreign exchange contracts
Total financial assets
Foreign exchange contracts
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments

Employee Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	$ 5.0	$ 3.6	$ 16.9	$ 15.3
Percentage of additional contribution from the Company to employees' cash compensation			3.00%
Defined contribution plan expenses	4.3	3.2	$ 15.0	12.8
Net periodic benefit expense	0.7	0.4	1.9	2.5
Cost of services [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	3.4	2.1	10.7	9.7
Selling, general and administrative [Member]
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Pension and post-retirement benefit expenses	$ 1.6	$ 1.5	$ 6.2	$ 5.6

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 30,937	$ 27,320	$ 85,757	$ 71,308
Effective tax rate			32.80%	35.50%
Amounts effect on effective tax rate	$ 3,300		$ 3,300
Decrease in effective tax rate			2.20%
Reserve to indemnify tax settlement					$ 12,000
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, reasonably possible (in months)			12
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, not possible (in months)			12
New York State and City [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2002
New York State and City [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2006
Morgan Stanley [Member] \| New York State and City [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2007
Morgan Stanley [Member] \| New York State and City [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2008
Morgan Stanley [Member] \| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2006
Morgan Stanley [Member] \| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Income Taxes And Tax Related [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2008

Income Taxes - Summary of Major Tax Jurisdictions and Open Tax Years (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
United States [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2005-2012
California [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2009-2012
New York State [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2007-2011
New York City [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2007-2011
Hong Kong [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2006-2012
United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2010-2011
Canada [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2006-2012
Japan [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2009-2012
India [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Years	2008-2012

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Segment Information - Key Financial Information by Operating Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 258,238	$ 235,444	$ 768,045	$ 703,061
Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	20,382	20,592	59,703	61,588
Operating income	92,436	83,529	280,135	251,629
Operating Segments [Member] \| Performance and Risk [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	228,608	205,389	676,500	611,054
Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	16,038	16,393	46,843	49,053
Operating income	88,172	80,472	268,445	243,927
Operating Segments [Member] \| Governance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating revenues	29,630	30,055	91,545	92,007
Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	4,344	4,199	12,860	12,535
Operating income	$ 4,264	$ 3,057	$ 11,690	$ 7,702

Segment Information - Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 258,238	$ 235,444	$ 768,045	$ 703,061
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United States [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	126,333	122,199	375,263	362,464
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,015	8,418	27,605	24,313
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total Americas [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	136,348	130,617	402,868	386,777
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United Kingdom [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	38,502	28,127	111,303	84,337
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	53,190	45,639	164,172	139,559
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total EMEA [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	91,692	73,766	275,475	223,896
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Japan [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,950	14,403	38,125	43,222
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,248	16,658	51,577	49,166
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Schedule Of Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 30,198	$ 31,061	$ 89,702	$ 92,388

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 2,478,798	$ 2,491,903
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United States [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	2,317,769	2,334,877
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	4,187	4,608
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total Americas [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	2,321,956	2,339,485
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| United Kingdom [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	141,249	139,714
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	9,897	8,749
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total EMEA [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	151,146	148,463
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Japan [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	253	297
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Other [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	5,443	3,658
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] \| Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Geographic Information For Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 5,696	$ 3,955

Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Purchase price allocated to goodwill			$ 1,797,223	$ 1,783,410
Decrease in goodwill			$ 13,902
IPD [Member]
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Company paid cash to acquire property		$ 124,800
Date of acquisition			Nov. 30, 2012
Purchase price allocated to goodwill			$ 76,500
Purchase price allocated to identifiable intangible assets			58,700
Purchase price allocated for assets other than identifiable intangible assets			18,600
Purchase price allocated to other liabilities			$ 29,000
Investor Force Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]
Company paid cash to acquire property	$ 23,600
Date of acquisition			Jan. 29, 2013
Purchase price allocated to goodwill			$ 11,600
Purchase price allocated to identifiable intangible assets			9,100
Purchase price allocated for assets other than identifiable intangible assets			6,400
Purchase price allocated to other liabilities			3,500
Increase in tax asset			7,500
Decrease in goodwill			$ 7,400