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Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 28, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
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		90,059,125

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 750,581	$ 791,834
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $1,296 and $1,035 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	289,227	221,504
Prepaid income taxes	16,201	12,389
Prepaid and other assets	27,429	29,943
Total current assets	1,083,438	1,055,670
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $155,884 and $136,841 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	88,825	95,585
Goodwill	1,558,429	1,555,850
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $485,960 and $462,860 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	332,624	347,640
Deferred tax assets	9,992	9,531
Other non-current assets	16,789	18,302
Total assets	3,090,097	3,082,578
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	329	568
Accrued compensation and related benefits	72,107	119,113
Other accrued liabilities	80,845	82,531
Deferred revenue	399,116	334,358
Total current liabilities	552,397	536,570
Long-term debt	2,076,647	2,075,201
Deferred taxes	87,422	94,067
Other non-current liabilities	66,431	59,135
Total liabilities	2,782,897	2,764,973
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 6 and Note 7)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01, 100,000,000 share authorized; no shares issued)
Common stock (par value $0.01; 750,000,000 common shares authorized; 129,477,122 and 128,996,344 common shares issued and 90,129,138 and 91,279,590 common shares outstanding at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	1,295	1,290
Treasury shares, at cost (39,347,984 and 37,716,754 common shares held at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)	(2,312,471)	(2,170,739)
Additional paid in capital	1,246,779	1,225,565
Retained earnings	1,424,962	1,322,224
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(53,365)	(60,735)
Total shareholders' equity	307,200	317,605
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 3,090,097	$ 3,082,578

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 1,296	$ 1,035
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, accumulated depreciation and amortization	155,884	136,841
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 485,960	$ 462,860
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	129,477,122	128,996,344
Common stock, shares outstanding	90,129,138	91,279,590
Treasury shares	39,347,984	37,716,754

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 316,089	$ 290,596	$ 617,296	$ 569,424
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	68,595	62,130	136,116	125,302
Selling and marketing	41,594	41,854	84,608	83,543
Research and development	18,203	18,566	37,180	37,494
General and administrative	21,448	22,019	42,452	43,909
Amortization of intangible assets	11,122	11,943	22,373	23,783
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	9,159	8,393	17,997	16,561
Total operating expenses	170,121	164,905	340,726	330,592
Operating income	145,968	125,691	276,570	238,832
Interest income	(1,310)	(585)	(2,242)	(1,206)
Interest expense	29,027	22,918	58,051	45,822
Other expense (income)	740	2,814	1,625	2,895
Other expense (income), net	28,457	25,147	57,434	47,511
Income before provision for income taxes	117,511	100,544	219,136	191,321
Provision for income taxes	36,245	33,587	64,919	63,997
Net income	$ 81,266	$ 66,957	$ 154,217	$ 127,324
Earnings per basic common share	$ 0.90	$ 0.69	$ 1.70	$ 1.30
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 0.89	$ 0.69	$ 1.68	$ 1.29
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share
Basic	90,404	96,412	90,555	97,918
Diluted	91,708	96,888	91,665	98,443
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.22	$ 0.56	$ 0.44

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 81,266	$ 66,957	$ 154,217	$ 127,324
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,963	(12,691)	7,904	(12,387)
Income tax effect		212		145
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net	4,963	(12,479)	7,904	(12,242)
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments	(175)	81	(274)	(232)
Income tax effect	(297)	(20)	(260)	62
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments, net	(472)	61	(534)	(170)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	4,491	(12,418)	7,370	(12,412)
Comprehensive income	$ 85,757	$ 54,539	$ 161,587	$ 114,912

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 154,217	$ 127,324
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets	22,373	23,783
Stock-based compensation expense	18,737	15,273
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	17,997	16,561
Amortization of debt origination fees	1,698	1,417
Deferred taxes	(7,080)	(4,756)
Other non-cash adjustments	(464)	511
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(66,661)	(40,381)
Prepaid income taxes	(4,157)	(5,193)
Prepaid and other assets	2,918	2,341
Accounts payable	(247)	(790)
Accrued compensation and related benefits	(48,366)	(39,388)
Other accrued liabilities	(1,862)	7,724
Deferred revenue	63,618	47,972
Other	6,511	2,585
Net cash provided by operating activities	159,232	154,983
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(11,051)	(13,277)
Capitalized software development costs	(5,613)	(5,088)
Proceeds from sale of investments	771
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(60)
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,893)	(18,425)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	1,273	3,442
Repurchase of treasury shares	(140,977)	(466,745)
Payment of dividends	(50,920)	(43,281)
Net cash used in financing activities	(190,624)	(506,584)
Effect of exchange rate changes	6,032	(3,066)
Net decrease in cash	(41,253)	(373,092)
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of period	791,834	777,706
Cash and cash equivalent, end of period	750,581	404,614
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	56,157	44,660
Cash paid for income taxes	71,246	72,293
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements in other accrued liabilities	3,765	6,042
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Cash dividends declared, but not yet paid	$ 535	$ 354

Introduction and Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION MSCI Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “MSCI”), offers products and services to support the needs of institutional investors throughout their investment processes. The Company’s products and services include the development and production of indexes and analytical models; the provision of ratings and analysis that identify environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities and the analysis of real estate in both privately and publicly owned portfolios. 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 state fairly the financial condition as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. 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, 2016. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from the 2016 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, 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. Concentrations For the six months ended June 30, 2017, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 10.7% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues while no single customer represented 10.0% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 19.0% and 16.9% of the Index segment operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of revenues within the Analytics and All Other segments for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Recent Accounting Standards Updates	6 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” or ASU 2014-09. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Entities have the option of adopting ASU 2014-09 retrospectively to each prior period presented, or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized as of the date of initial application. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date,” which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year by changing the effective date to be for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 from December 15, 2016, with early adoption at the prior date permitted. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net).” In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” In December 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” These updates provide supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASU 2014-09 and must be adopted concurrently. The Company intends to adopt the new revenue guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this adoption method, the Company will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2018 and apply the provisions of the ASU prospectively. Currently, the Company expects that ASU 2014-09 will have an impact on a number of accounting practices, including but not limited to, the timing of revenue recognition and costs for implementation services; the timing of revenue recognition of licenses for desktop applications; and accounting for multi-year deals. In addition, the new standard will require certain amounts in accounts receivable and deferred revenues to be netted on the balance sheet and enhanced disclosures in relation to (i) disaggregated revenue, (ii) reconciliations of contract balances, (iii) performance obligations, (iv) significant judgments and (v) cost to obtain or fulfill contracts. The Company has not yet determined the quantitative impact of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company is in the process of upgrading its technology infrastructure in order to support the accounting under the new standard as well as assessing the impact that the new standard will have on its processes and internal controls. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” or ASU 2016-02. The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. To meet that objective, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created Topic 842, Leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires reporting organizations to take a modified retrospective transition approach (as opposed to a full retrospective transition approach). The Company is continuing to evaluate the potential impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” or ASU 2016-09. The FASB issued ASU 2016-09 as part of its Simplification Initiative. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. Amendments related to accounting for the income tax consequences have been adopted prospectively, resulting in the recognition of $1.0 million and $4.1 million of excess tax benefits within income taxes rather than additional paid in capital for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. This increased diluted earnings per share by $0.01 and $0.04 per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation are now included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows. This change has been applied retrospectively in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and resulted in an increase of $4.9 million in net cash provided by operating activities with a matching decrease in net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to previously reported results. The Company has previously classified cash paid for tax withholding purposes as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows, therefore there is no change related to this requirement. The amendments allow for a one-time accounting policy election to either account for forfeitures as they occur or continue to estimate forfeitures as required by current guidance. The Company has elected to continue estimating forfeitures under the current guidance. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” or ASU 2016-13. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 introduce an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business,” or ASU 2017-01. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 provide a screen to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. Under ASU 2017-01, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, the set is not a business. If it’s not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set meets the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. ASU 2017-01 also narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in Topic 606. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” or ASU 2017-04. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities. Instead, under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity performs its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but not more than the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” or ASU 2017-07. The FASB issued ASU 2017-07 in order to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Entities should apply these amendments retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting,” or ASU 2017-09. The FASB issued ASU 2017-09 in order to reduce the diversity in practice, as well as the cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 provides that an entity shall account for the effects of a modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award as an exchange of the original award for a new award, unless the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used), the vesting conditions and the classification of the modified award are the same as the original award immediately before the award is modified. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2017-09 requires reporting organizations to apply the amendments prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Common Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

3. 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. Common shares outstanding include common stock and vested restricted stock unit awards where recipients have satisfied either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligible requirements. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities. There were 1,501 anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. There were no anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

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

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	81,266	$	66,957	$	154,217	$	127,324

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		90,404		96,412		90,555		97,918
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		1,304		476		1,110		525
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		91,708		96,888		91,665		98,443

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.90	$	0.69	$	1.70	$	1.30

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.89	$	0.69	$	1.68	$	1.29

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

4. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following:

	As of
	June 30,			December 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	175,117		$	162,306
Furniture & fixtures		10,207			9,724
Leasehold improvements		51,045			49,442
Work-in-process		8,340			10,954
Subtotal		244,709			232,426
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(155,884	)		(136,841	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	88,825		$	95,585

Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $9.2 million and $8.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $18.0 million and $16.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill

The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	Index		Analytics		All Other ⁽¹⁾		Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$	1,202,448	$	302,611	$	50,791	$	1,555,850
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		1,596		—		983		2,579
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	$	1,204,044	$	302,611	$	51,774	$	1,558,429

⁽¹⁾	The goodwill in All Other at June 30, 2017, consisted of $31.6 million in the ESG segment and $20.2 million in the Real Estate segment and at December 31, 2016 consisted of $31.6 million in the ESG segment and $19.2 million in the Real Estate segment.

Intangible Assets

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $11.1 million and $11.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $22.4 million and $23.8 million, respectively.

The gross carrying and accumulated amortization amounts related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets were as follows:

	As of
	June 30,			December 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	361,199		$	361,199
Trademarks/trade names		223,382			223,382
Technology/software		215,572			210,013
Proprietary data		28,627			28,627
Covenant not to compete		1,225			1,225
Subtotal		830,005			824,446
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(11,421	)		(13,946	)
Total gross intangible assets	$	818,584		$	810,500
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships		(178,011	)		(166,923	)
Trademarks/trade names		(110,878	)		(105,077	)
Technology/software		(188,825	)		(184,290	)
Proprietary data		(9,441	)		(8,571	)
Covenant not to compete		(1,171	)		(1,089	)
Subtotal		(488,326	)		(465,950	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		2,366			3,090
Total accumulated amortization	$	(485,960	)	$	(462,860	)
Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	183,188		$	194,276
Trademarks/trade names		112,504			118,305
Technology/software		26,747			25,723
Proprietary data		19,186			20,056
Covenant not to compete		54			136
Subtotal		341,679			358,496
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(9,055	)		(10,856	)
Total net intangible assets	$	332,624		$	347,640

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2017 and succeeding years:

Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder 2017	$	21,314
2018		42,836
2019		40,829
2020		38,956
2021		37,203
Thereafter		151,486
Total	$	332,624

- 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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

6. 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 was $6.1 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Rent expense for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $11.9 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

Senior Notes. The Company has issued an aggregate of $2.1 billion in senior unsecured notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) in the three discrete private offerings described below.

On November 20, 2014, the Company completed its private offering of $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”). The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the 2024 Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full its then outstanding term loan indebtedness of $794.8 million.

On August 13, 2015, the Company completed its private offering of $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”). The $789.5 million of net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 Senior Notes were allocated for general corporate purposes.

On August 4, 2016, the Company completed its private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Notes”). The $493.3 million of net proceeds from the offering of the 2026 Senior Notes were allocated for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, buybacks of its common stock and potential acquisitions.

The 2024 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on November 15, 2024. At any time prior to November 15, 2019, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2024 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2024 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after November 15, 2019, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2024 Senior Notes. At any time prior to November 15, 2017, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 105.25% of the principal amount.

The 2025 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on August 15, 2025. At any time prior to August 15, 2020, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2025 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2025 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after August 15, 2020, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2025 Senior Notes. At any time prior to August 15, 2018, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 105.75% of the principal amount.

The 2026 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on August 1, 2026. At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2026 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2026 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after August 1, 2021, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2026 Senior Notes. At any time prior to August 1, 2019, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 104.75% of the principal amount.

Interest payments attributable to the 2024 Senior Notes are due on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The first interest payment was made on May 15, 2015. Interest payments attributable to the 2025 Senior Notes are due on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The first interest payment was made on February 16, 2016. Interest payments attributable to the 2026 Senior Notes are due on February 1 and August 1 of each year. The first interest payment was made on February 1, 2017.

Revolver. On November 20, 2014, the Company entered into a $200.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “2014 Revolving Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement had an initial term of five years with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms. On August 4, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement (the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement as so amended, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $220.0 million, (ii) increased the maximum consolidated leverage ratio and (iii) extended the initial term to August 2021 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term. No amounts have ever been drawn under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Long-term debt at June 30, 2017 was $2,076.6 million, net of $23.4 million in deferred financing fees. Long-term debt at December 31, 2016 was $2,075.2 million, net of $24.8 million in deferred financing fees.

In connection with the closings of the Senior Notes offerings and entry into the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement and the Amendment, the Company paid certain fees which, together with the existing fees related to prior credit facilities, are being amortized over the related lives. At June 30, 2017, $25.4 million of the deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $0.5 million of which is included in “Prepaid and other assets,” $1.5 million of which is included in “Other non-current assets” and $23.4 million of which is grouped and presented as part of “Long-term debt” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair market value of the Company’s debt obligations was $2,237.8 million and $2,192.5 million, respectively. The fair market value is determined in accordance with accounting standards related to the determination of fair value and represents Level 2 valuations, which are based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. 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.

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.

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 exposures in terms of its functional currency.

Non-designated Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s economic 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 June 30, 2017, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forwards with a notional amount of $34.1 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:

	Unaudited Condensed	As of
	Consolidated Statements of	June 30,			December 31,
(in thousands)	Financial Condition Location	2017			2016
Non-designated hedging instruments:
Asset derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid and other assets	$	9		$	27
Liability derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	(127	)	$	(124	)

The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts represent Level 2 valuations, 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.

The following table presents 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 Income:

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or	in Income on Derivatives for the
Hedging Instruments	(Loss) Recognized	Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)	in Income on Derivatives	2017			2016
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense (income)	$	(785	)	$	700

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or	in Income on Derivatives for the
Hedging Instruments	(Loss) Recognized	Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)	in Income on Derivatives	2017			2016
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense (income)	$	(1,119	)	$	914

Shareholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Return of capital.

On October 28, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $1.0 billion worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock (the “2015 Repurchase Program”).

On October 26, 2016, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $750.0 million worth of shares of the Company’s common stock (together with the $330.3 million remaining authorization under the 2015 Repurchase Program, the “2016 Repurchase Program”). Share repurchases made pursuant to the 2016 Repurchase Program may take place in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time based on market and other conditions. This authorization may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time without prior notice. As of June 30, 2017, there was $742.2 million of available authorization remaining under the 2016 Repurchase Program.

The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of the Company’s common stock made on the open market:

Six Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
June 30, 2017	$	86.98		1,468	$	127,735
June 30, 2016	$	70.12		6,496	$	455,516

The following table presents dividends declared per common share as well as total amounts declared, distributed and deferred for the periods indicated:

	Dividends
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Per Share		Declared		Distributed		Deferred
2017
Three Months Ended March 31,	$	0.28	$	25,769	$	25,500	$	269
Three Months Ended June 30,		0.28		25,710		25,444		266

Total	$	0.56	$	51,479	$	50,944	$	535

2016
Three Months Ended March 31,	$	0.22	$	22,046	$	21,889	$	157
Three Months Ended June 30,		0.22		21,588		21,391		197

Total	$	0.44	$	43,634	$	43,280	$	354

Common Stock.

The following table presents activity related to shares of common stock issued and repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2017:

	Common Stock		Treasury			Common Stock
	Issued		Stock			Outstanding
Balance At December 31, 2016		128,996,344		(37,716,754	)		91,279,590
Dividend payable/paid		114		(114	)		—
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options		389,198		—			389,198
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises		—		(139,208	)		(139,208	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(1,079,005	)		(1,079,005	)
Shares issued to directors		51		(10	)		41
Balance At March 31, 2017		129,385,707		(38,935,091	)		90,450,616
Dividend payable/paid		126		(126	)		—
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options		82,960		—			82,960
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises		—		(16,002	)		(16,002	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(389,479	)		(389,479	)
Shares issued to directors		8,329		(7,286	)		1,043
Balance At June 30, 2017		129,477,122		(39,347,984	)		90,129,138

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	8. INCOME TAXES The Company’s provision for income taxes was $64.9 million and $64.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 29.6% and 33.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the change in the mix of profits between tax jurisdictions as well as the impact of discrete items, including the excess tax benefits related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 during the three months ended March 31, 2017. See Note 2, “Recent Accounting Standards Updates,” for more information regarding the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The effective tax rate of 29.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period and was impacted by certain discrete items totaling $3.9 million, primarily related to the $4.1 million of excess tax benefits on share-based compensation recognized during the period, which decreased the Company’s effective tax rate by 1.8 percentage points. The Company is under examination by the IRS and other tax authorities in certain jurisdictions, including foreign jurisdictions, such as India, and states in which the Company has significant operations, such as New York. The tax years currently under examination vary by jurisdiction but include years ranging from 2005 through 2016. As a result of having previously been a member of the Morgan Stanley consolidated group, the Company may have future settlements with Morgan Stanley related to the ultimate disposition of their New York State and New York City examination relating to the tax years 2007 and 2008 and their IRS examination relating to the tax years 2006 through 2008. The Company does not believe it has any material exposure to the New York State and New York City examinations. 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.

Segment Information

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

9. 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 and assess performance. MSCI’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, who are considered to be its CODM, review financial information presented on an operating segment basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.

The CODM measures and evaluates reportable segments based on segment operating revenues as well as Adjusted EBITDA and other measures. The Company excludes the following items from segment Adjusted EBITDA: provision for income taxes, other expense (income), net, depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, amortization of intangible assets and certain transactions or adjustments that the CODM does not consider for the purposes of making decisions to allocate resources among segments or to assess segment performance. Although these amounts are excluded from segment Adjusted EBITDA, they are included in reported consolidated net income and are included in the reconciliation that follows.

The Company’s computation of segment Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures computed by other companies because all companies do not calculate segment Adjusted EBITDA in the same fashion.

Revenues and expenses directly associated with each 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, sales targets, data center consumption and other relevant usage measures. Due to the integrated structure of our business, certain costs incurred by one segment may benefit other segments. A segment may use the content and data produced by another segment without incurring an arm’s-length intersegment charge.

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 Company has four operating segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Real Estate.

The Index operating segment is primarily a provider of equity indexes. The indexes are used in many areas of the investment process, including index-linked product creation and performance benchmarking, as well as portfolio construction and rebalancing and asset allocation.

The Analytics operating segment uses analytical content to create products and services which offer institutional investors an integrated view of risk and return. Its research-enhanced products and services help institutional investors understand and control for market, credit, liquidity and counterparty risk across all major asset classes, spanning short, medium and long-term time horizons. The Analytics global risk and performance platform is built for scale, enabling clients to conduct complex calculations and stress tests. Analytics offers products and services that assist institutional investors with portfolio construction, risk management, performance attribution and regulatory reporting.

The ESG operating segment offers products and services that help institutional investors understand how environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors can impact the long-term risk of their investments. In addition, the ESG operating segment’s data and ratings products are used in the construction of equity and fixed income indexes to help institutional investors benchmark ESG investment performance, issue index-based investment products, as well as manage, measure and report on ESG mandates.

The Real Estate operating segment is a provider of real estate performance analysis for funds, investors, managers and lenders, as well as occupiers through the disposition of the Real Estate occupiers business. This segment provides products and offers services that include research, reporting and benchmarking. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company disposed of the Real Estate occupiers business.

The operating segments of ESG and Real Estate do not individually meet the segment reporting thresholds and have been combined and presented as part of All Other for disclosure purposes.

The following table presents operating revenue by reportable segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Index	$	177,156	$	152,117	$	340,591	$	296,730
Analytics		113,367		112,393		225,787		222,656
All Other		25,566		26,086		50,918		50,038
Total	$	316,089	$	290,596	$	617,296	$	569,424

The following table presents segment profitability and a reconciliation to net income for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	129,476	$	106,518	$	245,113	$	206,567
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		31,741		33,302		61,277		63,662
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		5,032		6,207		10,550		8,947
Total operating segment profitability		166,249		146,027		316,940		279,176
Amortization of intangible assets		11,122		11,943		22,373		23,783
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		9,159		8,393		17,997		16,561
Operating income		145,968		125,691		276,570		238,832
Other expense (income), net		28,457		25,147		57,434		47,511
Provision for income taxes		36,245		33,587		64,919		63,997
Net income	$	81,266	$	66,957	$	154,217	$	127,324

Revenue by geography is based on the shipping address of the ultimate customer utilizing the product. The following table presents revenue by geographic area for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
		2017		2016	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Revenues
Americas:
United States	$	155,997	$	134,719	$	300,835	$	272,364
Other		11,298		11,388		22,952		21,970
Total Americas		167,295		146,107		323,787		294,334

Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		47,237		43,976		94,262		86,586
Other		63,786		63,435		124,088		116,874
Total EMEA		111,023		107,411		218,350		203,460

Asia & Australia:
Japan		13,237		13,563		26,063		26,203
Other		24,534		23,515		49,096		45,427
Total Asia & Australia		37,771		37,078		75,159		71,630

Total	$	316,089	$	290,596	$	617,296	$	569,424

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

	As of
	June 30,		December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets
Americas:
United States	$	1,854,391	$	1,876,366
Other		1,881		1,543
Total Americas		1,856,272		1,877,909

EMEA:
United Kingdom		91,999		89,466
Other		23,433		23,780
Total EMEA		115,432		113,246

Asia & Australia:
Japan		279		357
Other		7,895		7,563
Total Asia & Australia		8,174		7,920

Total	$	1,979,878	$	1,999,075

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Jun. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On August 1, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.38 per share for third quarter 2017. The third quarter 2017 dividend is payable on August 31, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on August 18, 2017.

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	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 state fairly the financial condition as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. 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, 2016. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2016 has been derived from the 2016 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, 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.
Concentrations	Concentrations For the six months ended June 30, 2017, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 10.7% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues while no single customer represented 10.0% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 19.0% and 16.9% of the Index segment operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of revenues within the Analytics and All Other segments for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” or ASU 2014-09. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Entities have the option of adopting ASU 2014-09 retrospectively to each prior period presented, or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized as of the date of initial application. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date,” which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year by changing the effective date to be for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017 from December 15, 2016, with early adoption at the prior date permitted. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net).” In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.” In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” In December 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” These updates provide supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASU 2014-09 and must be adopted concurrently. The Company intends to adopt the new revenue guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this adoption method, the Company will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2018 and apply the provisions of the ASU prospectively. Currently, the Company expects that ASU 2014-09 will have an impact on a number of accounting practices, including but not limited to, the timing of revenue recognition and costs for implementation services; the timing of revenue recognition of licenses for desktop applications; and accounting for multi-year deals. In addition, the new standard will require certain amounts in accounts receivable and deferred revenues to be netted on the balance sheet and enhanced disclosures in relation to (i) disaggregated revenue, (ii) reconciliations of contract balances, (iii) performance obligations, (iv) significant judgments and (v) cost to obtain or fulfill contracts. The Company has not yet determined the quantitative impact of the new standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company is in the process of upgrading its technology infrastructure in order to support the accounting under the new standard as well as assessing the impact that the new standard will have on its processes and internal controls. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” or ASU 2016-02. The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. To meet that objective, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created Topic 842, Leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 requires reporting organizations to take a modified retrospective transition approach (as opposed to a full retrospective transition approach). The Company is continuing to evaluate the potential impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” or ASU 2016-09. The FASB issued ASU 2016-09 as part of its Simplification Initiative. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. Amendments related to accounting for the income tax consequences have been adopted prospectively, resulting in the recognition of $1.0 million and $4.1 million of excess tax benefits within income taxes rather than additional paid in capital for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. This increased diluted earnings per share by $0.01 and $0.04 per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation are now included in operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows. This change has been applied retrospectively in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and resulted in an increase of $4.9 million in net cash provided by operating activities with a matching decrease in net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to previously reported results. The Company has previously classified cash paid for tax withholding purposes as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows, therefore there is no change related to this requirement. The amendments allow for a one-time accounting policy election to either account for forfeitures as they occur or continue to estimate forfeitures as required by current guidance. The Company has elected to continue estimating forfeitures under the current guidance. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” or ASU 2016-13. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 introduce an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business,” or ASU 2017-01. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 provide a screen to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. Under ASU 2017-01, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, the set is not a business. If it’s not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set meets the requirement that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. ASU 2017-01 also narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in Topic 606. ASU 2017-01 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” or ASU 2017-04. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities. Instead, under the amendments in ASU 2017-04, an entity performs its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, but not more than the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” or ASU 2017-07. The FASB issued ASU 2017-07 in order to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Entities should apply these amendments retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. The adoption of ASU 2017-07 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting,” or ASU 2017-09. The FASB issued ASU 2017-09 in order to reduce the diversity in practice, as well as the cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 provides that an entity shall account for the effects of a modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award as an exchange of the original award for a new award, unless the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used), the vesting conditions and the classification of the modified award are the same as the original award immediately before the award is modified. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2017-09 requires reporting organizations to apply the amendments prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS

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

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	81,266	$	66,957	$	154,217	$	127,324

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		90,404		96,412		90,555		97,918
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		1,304		476		1,110		525
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		91,708		96,888		91,665		98,443

Earnings per basic common share	$	0.90	$	0.69	$	1.70	$	1.30

Earnings per diluted common share	$	0.89	$	0.69	$	1.68	$	1.29

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following:

	As of
	June 30,			December 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	175,117		$	162,306
Furniture & fixtures		10,207			9,724
Leasehold improvements		51,045			49,442
Work-in-process		8,340			10,954
Subtotal		244,709			232,426
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(155,884	)		(136,841	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	88,825		$	95,585

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segment

The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	Index		Analytics		All Other ⁽¹⁾		Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$	1,202,448	$	302,611	$	50,791	$	1,555,850
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		1,596		—		983		2,579
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	$	1,204,044	$	302,611	$	51,774	$	1,558,429

⁽¹⁾	The goodwill in All Other at June 30, 2017, consisted of $31.6 million in the ESG segment and $20.2 million in the Real Estate segment and at December 31, 2016 consisted of $31.6 million in the ESG segment and $19.2 million in the Real Estate segment.

Schedule of Gross Carrying and Accumulated Amortization Amounts Related to Company's Identifiable Intangible Assets

The gross carrying and accumulated amortization amounts related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets were as follows:

	As of
	June 30,			December 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	361,199		$	361,199
Trademarks/trade names		223,382			223,382
Technology/software		215,572			210,013
Proprietary data		28,627			28,627
Covenant not to compete		1,225			1,225
Subtotal		830,005			824,446
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(11,421	)		(13,946	)
Total gross intangible assets	$	818,584		$	810,500
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships		(178,011	)		(166,923	)
Trademarks/trade names		(110,878	)		(105,077	)
Technology/software		(188,825	)		(184,290	)
Proprietary data		(9,441	)		(8,571	)
Covenant not to compete		(1,171	)		(1,089	)
Subtotal		(488,326	)		(465,950	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		2,366			3,090
Total accumulated amortization	$	(485,960	)	$	(462,860	)
Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	183,188		$	194,276
Trademarks/trade names		112,504			118,305
Technology/software		26,747			25,723
Proprietary data		19,186			20,056
Covenant not to compete		54			136
Subtotal		341,679			358,496
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(9,055	)		(10,856	)
Total net intangible assets	$	332,624		$	347,640

Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2017 and Succeeding Years

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2017 and succeeding years:

Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder 2017	$	21,314
2018		42,836
2019		40,829
2020		38,956
2021		37,203
Thereafter		151,486
Total	$	332,624

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

	Unaudited Condensed	As of
	Consolidated Statements of	June 30,			December 31,
(in thousands)	Financial Condition Location	2017			2016
Non-designated hedging instruments:
Asset derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid and other assets	$	9		$	27
Liability derivatives:
Foreign exchange contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	(127	)	$	(124	)

Effect of Financial Derivatives on Statements of Income

The following table presents 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 Income:

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or	in Income on Derivatives for the
Hedging Instruments	(Loss) Recognized	Three Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)	in Income on Derivatives	2017			2016
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense (income)	$	(785	)	$	700

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
Derivatives Not Designated as	Location of Gain or	in Income on Derivatives for the
Hedging Instruments	(Loss) Recognized	Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)	in Income on Derivatives	2017			2016
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expense (income)	$	(1,119	)	$	914

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Company's Common Stock Repurchases Made on Open Market

The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of the Company’s common stock made on the open market:

Six Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
June 30, 2017	$	86.98		1,468	$	127,735
June 30, 2016	$	70.12		6,496	$	455,516

Schedule of Dividends Declared Per Common Share and Total Amounts Declared, Distributed and Deferred

The following table presents dividends declared per common share as well as total amounts declared, distributed and deferred for the periods indicated:

	Dividends
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	Per Share		Declared		Distributed		Deferred
2017
Three Months Ended March 31,	$	0.28	$	25,769	$	25,500	$	269
Three Months Ended June 30,		0.28		25,710		25,444		266

Total	$	0.56	$	51,479	$	50,944	$	535

2016
Three Months Ended March 31,	$	0.22	$	22,046	$	21,889	$	157
Three Months Ended June 30,		0.22		21,588		21,391		197

Total	$	0.44	$	43,634	$	43,280	$	354

Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Common Stock Issued and Repurchased

The following table presents activity related to shares of common stock issued and repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2017:

	Common Stock		Treasury			Common Stock
	Issued		Stock			Outstanding
Balance At December 31, 2016		128,996,344		(37,716,754	)		91,279,590
Dividend payable/paid		114		(114	)		—
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options		389,198		—			389,198
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises		—		(139,208	)		(139,208	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(1,079,005	)		(1,079,005	)
Shares issued to directors		51		(10	)		41
Balance At March 31, 2017		129,385,707		(38,935,091	)		90,450,616
Dividend payable/paid		126		(126	)		—
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options		82,960		—			82,960
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises		—		(16,002	)		(16,002	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(389,479	)		(389,479	)
Shares issued to directors		8,329		(7,286	)		1,043
Balance At June 30, 2017		129,477,122		(39,347,984	)		90,129,138

Segment Information (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operating Revenue by Reportable Segment

The following table presents operating revenue by reportable segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Index	$	177,156	$	152,117	$	340,591	$	296,730
Analytics		113,367		112,393		225,787		222,656
All Other		25,566		26,086		50,918		50,038
Total	$	316,089	$	290,596	$	617,296	$	569,424

Segment Profitability and Reconciliation to Net Income

The following table presents segment profitability and a reconciliation to net income for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	129,476	$	106,518	$	245,113	$	206,567
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		31,741		33,302		61,277		63,662
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		5,032		6,207		10,550		8,947
Total operating segment profitability		166,249		146,027		316,940		279,176
Amortization of intangible assets		11,122		11,943		22,373		23,783
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		9,159		8,393		17,997		16,561
Operating income		145,968		125,691		276,570		238,832
Other expense (income), net		28,457		25,147		57,434		47,511
Provision for income taxes		36,245		33,587		64,919		63,997
Net income	$	81,266	$	66,957	$	154,217	$	127,324

Revenue by Geographic Area

Revenue by geography is based on the shipping address of the ultimate customer utilizing the product. The following table presents revenue by geographic area for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
		2017		2016	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Revenues
Americas:
United States	$	155,997	$	134,719	$	300,835	$	272,364
Other		11,298		11,388		22,952		21,970
Total Americas		167,295		146,107		323,787		294,334

Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		47,237		43,976		94,262		86,586
Other		63,786		63,435		124,088		116,874
Total EMEA		111,023		107,411		218,350		203,460

Asia & Australia:
Japan		13,237		13,563		26,063		26,203
Other		24,534		23,515		49,096		45,427
Total Asia & Australia		37,771		37,078		75,159		71,630

Total	$	316,089	$	290,596	$	617,296	$	569,424

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area

	As of
	June 30,		December 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets
Americas:
United States	$	1,854,391	$	1,876,366
Other		1,881		1,543
Total Americas		1,856,272		1,877,909

EMEA:
United Kingdom		91,999		89,466
Other		23,433		23,780
Total EMEA		115,432		113,246

Asia & Australia:
Japan		279		357
Other		7,895		7,563
Total Asia & Australia		8,174		7,920

Total	$	1,979,878	$	1,999,075

Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - Operating Revenues [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member] - Customer	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of revenues		0
BlackRock Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	10.70%
Index [Member] \| BlackRock Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	19.00%	16.90%
Analytics [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of revenues	0	0
All Other [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of revenues	0	0

Recent Accounting Standards Updates - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in net cash provided by operating activities		$ 159,232	$ 154,983
Decrease in net cash used in financing activities		(190,624)	$ (506,584)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] \| New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Amount of excess tax benefits recognition	$ 1,000	$ 4,100
Effect of change on diluted earnings per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.04
Increase in net cash provided by operating activities		$ 4,900
Decrease in net cash used in financing activities		$ (4,900)

Earnings Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	0	0	1,501	0

Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 81,266	$ 66,957	$ 154,217	$ 127,324
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	90,404	96,412	90,555	97,918
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units	1,304	476	1,110	525
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	91,708	96,888	91,665	98,443
Earnings per basic common share	$ 0.90	$ 0.69	$ 1.70	$ 1.30
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 0.89	$ 0.69	$ 1.68	$ 1.29

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Computer & related equipment	$ 175,117	$ 162,306
Furniture & fixtures	10,207	9,724
Leasehold improvements	51,045	49,442
Work-in-process	8,340	10,954
Subtotal	244,709	232,426
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(155,884)	(136,841)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$ 88,825	$ 95,585

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$ 9,159	$ 8,393	$ 17,997	$ 16,561

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$ 1,555,850
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	2,579
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	1,558,429
Index [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	1,202,448
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	1,596
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	1,204,044
Analytics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	302,611
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	302,611
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	50,791
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	983
Goodwill at June 30, 2017	$ 51,774

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segment - Parenthetical (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,558,429	$ 1,555,850
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	51,774	50,791
All Other [Member] \| ESG [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	31,600	31,600
All Other [Member] \| Real Estate [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 20,200	$ 19,200

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 11,122	$ 11,943	$ 22,373	$ 23,783

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Gross Carrying and Accumulated Amortization Amounts Related to Company's Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	$ 818,584	$ 810,500
Accumulated amortization	(485,960)	(462,860)
Net carrying value	332,624	347,640
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	361,199	361,199
Accumulated amortization	(178,011)	(166,923)
Net carrying value	183,188	194,276
Trademarks/Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	223,382	223,382
Accumulated amortization	(110,878)	(105,077)
Net carrying value	112,504	118,305
Technology/Software [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	215,572	210,013
Accumulated amortization	(188,825)	(184,290)
Net carrying value	26,747	25,723
Proprietary Data [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	28,627	28,627
Accumulated amortization	(9,441)	(8,571)
Net carrying value	19,186	20,056
Covenant Not to Compete [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	1,225	1,225
Accumulated amortization	(1,171)	(1,089)
Net carrying value	54	136
Subtotal [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	830,005	824,446
Accumulated amortization	(488,326)	(465,950)
Net carrying value	341,679	358,496
Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustment [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	(11,421)	(13,946)
Accumulated amortization	2,366	3,090
Net carrying value	$ (9,055)	$ (10,856)

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2017 and Succeeding Years (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder 2017	$ 21,314
2018	42,836
2019	40,829
2020	38,956
2021	37,203
Thereafter	151,486
Net carrying value	$ 332,624	$ 347,640

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2016	Aug. 13, 2015	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 20, 2014
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Annual rent expense			$ 6,100,000	$ 6,100,000	$ 11,900,000	$ 12,200,000
Revolving credit agreement, conditional description					The 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement had an initial term of five years with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms. On August 4, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement (the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement as so amended, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $220.0 million, (ii) increased the maximum consolidated leverage ratio and (iii) extended the initial term to August 2021 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term.
Long-term debt			2,076,647,000		$ 2,076,647,000		$ 2,075,201,000
Deferred financing fees			23,400,000		23,400,000		24,800,000
Fair market value of debt obligations			2,237,800,000		2,237,800,000		$ 2,192,500,000
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Foreign Currency Forwards [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Foreign currency forwards, notional amount			34,100,000		34,100,000
Prepaid and Other Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees			500,000		500,000
Other Non-Current Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees			1,500,000		1,500,000
Long-term Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees			23,400,000		$ 23,400,000
2014 Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing								$ 200,000,000
Revolving credit agreement, term					5 years
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing	$ 220,000,000
Revolving credit agreement, extended term	1 year
Revolving credit agreement, amounts drawn			0		$ 0
Senior Notes [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount			2,100,000,000		2,100,000,000
Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees			$ 25,400,000		$ 25,400,000
5.250% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount								$ 800,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate								5.25%
Maturity date					Nov. 15, 2024
Redemption description					At any time prior to November 15, 2019, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2024 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed					35.00%
Redemption price					105.25%
Debt instrument description					Interest payments attributable to the 2024 Senior Notes are due on May 15 and November 15 of each year.
Debt instrument, first interest payment date					May 15, 2015
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding indebtedness, amount								$ 794,800,000
5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		$ 800,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate		5.75%
Net proceeds from borrowing		$ 789,500,000
4.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount	$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate	4.75%
Net proceeds from borrowing	$ 493,300,000
Maturity date					Aug. 01, 2026
Redemption description					At any time prior to August 1, 2021, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2026 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed					35.00%
Redemption price					104.75%
Debt instrument description					Interest payments attributable to the 2026 Senior Notes are due on February 1 and August 1 of each year.
Debt instrument, first interest payment date					Feb. 01, 2017
5.75% Senior Notes Due In 2025 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Maturity date					Aug. 15, 2025
Redemption description					At any time prior to August 15, 2020, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2025 Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed					35.00%
Redemption price					105.75%
Debt instrument description					Interest payments attributable to the 2025 Senior Notes are due on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
Debt instrument, first interest payment date					Feb. 16, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] - Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Prepaid and Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives	$ 9	$ 27
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	$ (127)	$ (124)

Commitments and Contingencies - Effect of Financial Derivatives on Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] \| Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] \| Other Expense (Income) [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$ (785)	$ 700	$ (1,119)	$ 914

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Oct. 26, 2016	Oct. 28, 2015
2015 Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares			$ 1,000,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 330,300,000
2016 Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares		$ 750,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 742,200,000

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Company's Common Stock Repurchases Made on Open Market (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Total Number of Shares Repurchased	1,079,005	389,479
Open Market Purchases of Common Stock [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Average Price Paid Per Share		$ 86.98	$ 70.12
Total Number of Shares Repurchased		1,468,000	6,496,000
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased		$ 127,735	$ 455,516

Shareholders' Equity - Schedule of Dividends Declared Per Common Share and Total Amounts Declared, Distributed and Deferred (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.28	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.56	$ 0.44
Cash dividends declared, Amount	$ 25,710	$ 25,769	$ 21,588	$ 22,046	$ 51,479	$ 43,634
Cash dividends distributed, Amount	25,444	25,500	21,391	21,889	50,944	43,280
Cash dividends deferred, Amount	$ 266	$ 269	$ 197	$ 157	$ 535	$ 354

Shareholders' Equity - Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Common Stock Issued and Repurchased (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	91,279,590	91,279,590
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options	389,198	82,960
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises	(139,208)	(16,002)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs	(1,079,005)	(389,479)
Shares issued to directors	41	1,043
Ending balance	90,450,616	90,129,138
Common Stock Issued [Member]
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	128,996,344	128,996,344
Dividend payable/paid	114	126
Common stock issued and exercise of stock options	389,198	82,960
Shares issued to directors	51	8,329
Ending balance	129,385,707	129,477,122
Treasury Stock [Member]
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(37,716,754)	(37,716,754)
Dividend payable/paid	(114)	(126)
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises	(139,208)	(16,002)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs	(1,079,005)	(389,479)
Shares issued to directors	(10)	(7,286)
Ending balance	(38,935,091)	(39,347,984)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$ 36,245	$ 33,587	$ 64,919	$ 63,997
Effective tax rate			29.60%	33.50%
Amounts effect on effective tax rate	3,900		$ 3,900
Decrease in effective tax rate			1.80%
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, reasonably possible			It is reasonably possible that significant changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months.
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, not possible			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.
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2005
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2016
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] \| New York State Division of Taxation and Finance [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2007
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] \| New York State Division of Taxation and Finance [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2008
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] \| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2006
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] \| Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination			2008
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] \| New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Amount of excess tax benefits recognition	$ 1,000		$ 4,100

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2017 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4

Segment Information - Operating Revenue by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total	$ 316,089	$ 290,596	$ 617,296	$ 569,424
Index [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total	177,156	152,117	340,591	296,730
Analytics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total	113,367	112,393	225,787	222,656
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total	$ 25,566	$ 26,086	$ 50,918	$ 50,038

Segment Information - Segment Profitability and Reconciliation to Net Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 166,249	$ 146,027	$ 316,940	$ 279,176
Amortization of intangible assets	11,122	11,943	22,373	23,783
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	9,159	8,393	17,997	16,561
Operating income	145,968	125,691	276,570	238,832
Other expense (income), net	28,457	25,147	57,434	47,511
Provision for income taxes	36,245	33,587	64,919	63,997
Net income	81,266	66,957	154,217	127,324
Index [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	129,476	106,518	245,113	206,567
Analytics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	31,741	33,302	61,277	63,662
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 5,032	$ 6,207	$ 10,550	$ 8,947

Segment Information - Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 316,089	$ 290,596	$ 617,296	$ 569,424
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	155,997	134,719	300,835	272,364
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,298	11,388	22,952	21,970
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	167,295	146,107	323,787	294,334
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	47,237	43,976	94,262	86,586
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	63,786	63,435	124,088	116,874
Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	111,023	107,411	218,350	203,460
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	13,237	13,563	26,063	26,203
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	24,534	23,515	49,096	45,427
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 37,771	$ 37,078	$ 75,159	$ 71,630

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 1,979,878	$ 1,999,075
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,854,391	1,876,366
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,881	1,543
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,856,272	1,877,909
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	91,999	89,466
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	23,433	23,780
Total EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	115,432	113,246
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	279	357
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	7,895	7,563
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 8,174	$ 7,920

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly dividend declared		$ 0.28	$ 0.28	$ 0.22	$ 0.22	$ 0.56	$ 0.44
Subsequent Events [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly dividend declared	$ 0.38
Quarterly dividend declared date	Aug. 01, 2017
Quarterly dividend payable date	Aug. 31, 2017
Quarterly dividend record date	Aug. 18, 2017