Investor News

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading global provider of investment decision support tools, including indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics and corporate governance services, today announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011. For comparative purposes, selected pro forma results are also presented, as if MSCI had acquired RiskMetrics Group, Inc. ("RiskMetrics") on December 1, 2009. In December 2010, MSCI changed its fiscal year end from November 30 to December 31, effective with the calendar year reporting cycle beginning January 1, 2011.

(Note: Percentage changes are referenced to the comparable fiscal period in fiscal year 2010, unless otherwise noted.)

• Operating revenues increased 80.9% to $226.5 million in second quarter 2011 and 82.2% to $449.8 million for six months 2011. Compared to pro forma 2010, second quarter 2011 revenues grew by 12.0% and six months 2011 revenues rose 12.3%.
• Net income increased 89.7% to $45.7 million in second quarter 2011 and 53.5% to $79.2 million for first six months 2011. Pro forma net income increased 48.2% to $45.7 million in second quarter 2011 and 33.4% to $79.2 million for first six months 2011.
• Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) grew by 73.0% to $107.0 million in second quarter 2011 and 74.6% to $211.5 million in six months 2011. Compared to pro forma 2010, second quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 25.1% and six months 2011 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 24.4%. The Adjusted EBITDA margin was 47.2% in second quarter 2011 and 47.0% for six months 2011.
• Diluted EPS for second quarter 2011 rose 68.2% to $0.37 and 33.3% to $0.64 for six months 2011.
• Second quarter 2011 Adjusted EPS (defined below) rose 34.3% to $0.47 and 36.4% to $0.90 for six months 2011.

Henry A. Fernandez, Chairman and CEO, said, "MSCI continued to perform well in second quarter 2011. Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, MSCI reported 12% growth in revenues and 25% growth in Adjusted EBITDA.

"Our run rate grew 3% sequentially and by 17% compared to pro forma second quarter of 2011. Our index and ESG and our risk management analytics businesses continued to drive our growth and we recorded double digit annual run rate growth in both product lines," added Mr. Fernandez.

Table 1: MSCI Inc. Selected Financial Information (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Change from				Six Months Ended								Change from
		June 30,				May 31,				May 31,				June 30,				May 31,				May 31,
In thousands, except per share data		2011				2010				2010				2011				2010				2010
Operating revenues		$	226,483			$	125,170			80.9	%			$	449,781			$	246,850			82.2	%
Operating expenses			143,792				78,473			83.2	%				291,661				152,896			90.8	%
Net income			45,660				24,067			89.7	%				79,181				51,585			53.5	%
% Margin			20.2	%			19.2	%							17.6	%			20.9	%
Diluted EPS		$	0.37			$	0.22			68.2	%			$	0.64			$	0.48			33.3	%
Adjusted EPS1		$	0.47			$	0.35			34.3	%				0.90				0.66			36.4	%
Adjusted EBITDA2		$	106,995			$	61,834			73.0	%			$	211,469			$	121,083			74.6	%
% Margin			47.2	%			49.4	%							47.0	%			49.1	%

1 Per share net income before after-tax impact of amortization of intangibles, non-recurring stock-based compensation, restructuring costs, third party transaction expenses associated with the acquisition of RiskMetrics and debt repayment expenses. See Table 17 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS to Net Income and EPS" and information about the use of non-GAAP financial information provided under "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

2 Net Income before interest income, interest expense, other expense (income), provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, non-recurring stock-based compensation, restructuring costs, and third party transaction expenses associated with the acquisition of RiskMetrics. See Table 15 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income" and information about the use of non-GAAP financial information provided under "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures."

Summary of Results for Second Quarter 2011 compared to Second Quarter 2010

Operating Revenues — See Table 4

Total operating revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2011 (second quarter 2011) increased $101.3 million, or 80.9%, to $226.5 million compared to $125.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2010 (second quarter 2010). The biggest driver of revenue growth was the acquisition of RiskMetrics, which closed on June 1, 2010 and contributed revenues of $80.3 million in second quarter 2011. Total subscription revenues rose $86.9 million, or 91.2%, to $182.3 million while asset-based fees increased $10.6 million, or 41.3%, to $36.3 million. Non-recurring revenues increased $3.8 million to $7.9 million.

Excluding the impact of the acquisitions of RiskMetrics and Measurisk LLC ("Measurisk", an acquisition completed on July 30, 2010), total operating revenues grew by $17.0 million, or 13.6%, to $142.2 million. Subscription revenues grew $9.2 million, or 9.6%, to $104.5 million in second quarter 2011. Non-recurring revenues declined $1.9 million to $2.3 million.

By segment, Performance and Risk revenues rose $70.3 million, or 56.2%, to $195.5 million. The Performance and Risk segment is comprised of index and ESG (defined below) products, risk management analytics, portfolio management analytics, and energy and commodity analytics. Revenues for the Governance segment were $31.0 million.

Index and ESG products: Our index and ESG products primarily consist of index subscriptions, equity index asset-based fee products and environmental, social and governance ("ESG") products. Revenues related to index and ESG products increased $22.6 million, or 28.3%, to $102.6 million. Index and ESG subscription revenue grew by $12.0 million, or 22.2%, to $66.3 million, with $5.1 million of that coming from the addition of ESG products resulting from the acquisition of RiskMetrics. Also included in the index and ESG revenues were $2.0 million of non-recurring revenues, which fell $2.0 million from second quarter 2010.

Revenues attributable to equity index asset-based fees rose $10.6 million, or 41.3%, to $36.3 million. The increase in asset-based fees was driven primarily by an increase in assets under management in exchange traded funds ("ETFs") linked to MSCI indices.

The quarterly average value of assets in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indices increased 41.4% to $356.8 billion for second quarter 2011 compared to $252.3 billion for the three months ended May 31, 2010. As of June 30, 2011, the value of assets in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indices was $360.5 billion, representing an increase of 51.4% from $238.1 billion as of May 31, 2010 and $10.4 billion, or 3.0%, from $350.1 billion as of March 31, 2010. We estimate that the $10.4 billion sequential increase in second quarter 2011 was attributable to $3.8 billion of net asset depreciation and cash inflows of $14.2 billion.

The three MSCI indices with the largest amount of ETF assets linked to them as of June 30, 2011 were the MSCI Emerging Markets, EAFE (an index of stocks in developed markets outside North America) and US Broad Market indices. The assets linked to these indices were $106.2 billion, $46.7 billion, and $20.1 billion, respectively, at the end of the quarter.

Risk management analytics: Our risk management analytics products offer a consistent risk and performance assessment framework for managing and monitoring investments in a variety of asset classes and are based on our proprietary integrated fundamental multi-factor risk models, value-at-risk methodologies, performance attribution, and asset valuation models. Revenues related to risk management analytics increased $49.7 million, or 447.5%, to $60.8 million. The acquisitions of RiskMetrics and Measurisk added $47.4 million, or 427.0%, to growth in the second quarter. Excluding the impact of the acquisitions, risk management analytics revenues grew by $2.3 million, or 20.5%.

Portfolio management analytics: Our portfolio management analytics products consist of analytics tools for equity and fixed income portfolio management. Revenues related to portfolio management analytics decreased by $1.1 million, or 3.5%, to $29.2 million.

Energy and commodity analytics: Our energy and commodity analytics products consist of software applications that help users value and model physical assets and derivatives across a number of market segments that include energy and commodity assets. Revenues from energy and commodity analytics products declined by $0.9 million, or 23.9%, to $2.9 million. The decrease is driven in part by the timing of new and recurring sales.

Governance: Our governance products consist of corporate governance products and services, including proxy research, recommendation and voting services for asset owners and asset managers as well as governance advisory and compensation services for corporations. It also includes forensic accounting research as well as class action monitoring and claims filing services to aid institutional investors in the recovery of funds from securities litigation, all of which were acquired as part of our acquisition of RiskMetrics. Governance revenues were $31.0 million in second quarter 2011, including $4.2 million of non-recurring revenues.

Operating Expenses — See Table 6

Total operating expense increased $65.3 million, or 83.2%, to $143.8 million in second quarter 2011 compared to second quarter 2010. The increase is due mainly to the acquisition of RiskMetrics.

Compensation costs: Total compensation costs rose $40.4 million, or 90.2%, to $85.2 million in second quarter 2011. Excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, total compensation costs rose $39.8 million, or 93.1%, to $82.5 million.

Non-recurring stock-based compensation expense rose $0.6 million, or 31.0% to $2.7 million, primarily as a result of the addition of the performance awards in the fiscal third quarter of 2010. Non-recurring stock-based compensation expenses for second quarter 2011 consisted of $0.7 million related to the founders grants awarded to certain employees at the time of MSCI's initial public offering ("IPO") and $2.0 million related to the performance awards granted to certain employees in connection with the acquisition of RiskMetrics. The aggregate value of the performance awards is being amortized through the end of 2012 and the aggregate value of the founders grant is being amortized through November 2011.

Non-compensation costs excluding depreciation and amortization: Total non-compensation operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization, transaction costs associated with the acquisition of RiskMetrics and restructuring costs rose $16.4 million, or 79.5%, to $37.0 million in second quarter 2011. The acquisition of RiskMetrics was the biggest driver behind the increase.

Cost of services: Total cost of services expenses rose by $38.4 million, or 126.0%, to $68.8 million. Within costs of services, compensation expenses increased by $26.9 million, or 120.2%, and non-compensation expenses increased by $11.5 million, or 141.9%. In both cases, the biggest driver behind the increase was the acquisition of RiskMetrics.

Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A): Total SG&A expense rose $13.1 million, or 32.7%, to $53.3 million. Within SG&A, compensation expenses increased by $13.5 million, or 60.4%, and non-compensation expenses excluding transaction costs increased by $4.9 million, or 39.1%. In both cases, the biggest driver behind the increase was the acquisition of RiskMetrics.

Amortization of intangibles: Amortization of intangibles expense totaled $16.4 million compared to $4.3 million in second quarter 2010. The $12.1 million increase is associated intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisitions of RiskMetrics and Measurisk.

Other Expense (Income), Net

Other expense (income), net for second quarter 2011 was $13.1 million, an increase of $4.3 million from second quarter 2010. An increase in interest expense resulted from the increased levels of indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of RiskMetrics. In second quarter 2010, MSCI incurred $6.3 million of debt repayment expenses resulting from its decision to repay $297 million of its then-outstanding term loans.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income tax expense was $24.0 million for second quarter 2011, an increase of $10.1 million, or 72.7%, compared to $13.9 million for the same period in 2010, driven primarily by higher income resulting from the acquisition of RiskMetrics. The effective tax rate was 34.4% for second quarter 2011. The effective tax rate benefited from several discrete items that lowered the rate. The effective tax rate for second quarter 2010 was 36.6%.

Net Income and Earnings per Share — See Table 17

Net income increased $21.6 million, or 89.7%, to $45.7 million for second quarter 2011. The net income margin increased to 20.2% versus 19.2% in second quarter 2010. Diluted EPS increased 68.2% to $0.37.

Adjusted net income, which excludes $12.5 million of after-tax impact of amortization of intangibles, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, transaction expenses, restructuring costs and debt repayment and refinancing expenses, rose $20.6 million, or 54.7%, to $58.2 million. Adjusted EPS, which excludes the after-tax, per share impact of amortization of intangibles, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, transaction expenses, restructuring costs and debt repayment and refinancing expenses totaling $0.10, rose 34.3% to $0.47.

See table 17 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS to Net Income and EPS."

Adjusted EBITDA — See Table 15

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes, among other things, the impact of non-recurring stock-based compensation and restructuring costs, was $107.0 million, an increase of $45.2 million, or 73.0%, from second quarter 2010. Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 47.2% from 49.4% as a result of the dilutive impact of the acquisition of the lower margin RiskMetrics business.

By segment, Adjusted EBITDA for the Performance and Risk segment increased $37.7 million, or 61.0%, to $99.5 million from second quarter 2010. Adjusted EBITDA margin for this segment rose to 50.9% from 49.4% from second quarter 2010. Adjusted EBITDA for the Governance segment was $7.4 million and the Adjusted EBITDA margin was 24.0%.

See Table 15 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income" and "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Summary of Results for Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 compared to Six Months Ended May 31, 2010

Operating Revenues — See Table 5

Total operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2011 (six months 2011) increased $202.9 million, or 82.2%, to $449.8 million compared to $246.9 million for the six months ended May 31, 2010 (six months 2010). The acquisitions of RiskMetrics and Measurisk added revenues of $165.4 million in six months 2011. Total subscription revenue rose $169.4 million, or 89.3%, to $359.0 million, while asset-based fees rose $19.3 million, or 38.1%, to $69.9 million. Total non-recurring revenues increased $14.3 million, or 215.1%, to $20.9 million.

Excluding the impact of the acquisitions, total operating revenues grew by $37.5 million, or 15.2%, to $284.3 million. Subscription revenues grew by $17.0 million, or 9.0%, and asset-based fee revenues grew by $18.4 million, or 36.4%, to $69.1 million. Non-recurring revenues grew by $2.1 million, or 31.0%, from six months 2010. Excluding the impact of the acquisitions, index and ESG products and risk management analytics revenues grew 24.0% and 21.8%, respectively, in six months 2011. Portfolio management analytics revenues declined 5.3%. Energy and other commodity analytics revenues fell 15.5%, as a result of seasonal differences and a decline in non-recurring sales.

By segment, Performance and Risk revenues rose $140.7 million, or 57.0%, to $387.6 million for six months 2011. Governance revenues were $62.2 million.

Operating Expenses — See Table 7

Total operating expenses increased $138.8 million, or 90.8%, to $291.7 million in six months 2011 compared to six months 2010. Operating expenses in the six months 2011 included restructuring costs of $4.5 million and, in six months 2010, transaction expenses of $7.5 million. Excluding these expenses, total operating expenses would have risen by $141.8 million, or 97.5%. The increase reflects increases of $79.3 million, or 132.7%, in cost of services, $34.6 million, or 49.4%, in SG&A expense and $3.3 million, or 47.9% in depreciation and amortization expense.

Other Expense (Income), Net

Other expense (income), net for six months 2011 was $35.1 million, an increase of $23.0 million from six months 2010. The increase was driven by increased indebtedness resulting from our acquisition of RiskMetrics. Other expense (income), net includes debt repayment expenses of $6.4 million in six months 2011 and $6.3 million in six months 2010.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income tax expense was $43.8 million for six months 2011, an increase of $13.6 million, or 45.0%, compared to $30.2 million for six months 2010. Our effective tax rate for six months 2011 was 35.6% compared to 36.9% for six months 2010.

Net Income and Earnings per Share — See Table 17

Net income increased $27.6 million, or 53.5%, to $79.2 million and the net income margin decreased to 17.6% from 20.9%. Diluted EPS rose by 33.3% to $0.64 from $0.48.

Adjusted net income, which excludes the after-tax impact of amortization of intangibles, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, transaction expenses, debt repayment expenses, and restructuring costs totaling $31.9 million, rose $40.0 million, or 56.3%, to $111.0 million. Adjusted EPS, which excludes the after-tax, per share impact of amortization of intangibles, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, transaction expenses, debt repayment expenses, and restructuring costs totaling $0.26, rose 36.4% to $0.90 in six months 2011.

See table 17 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS to Net Income and EPS."

Adjusted EBITDA — See Table 15

Adjusted EBITDA was $211.5 million, an increase of $90.4 million, or 74.6%, from six months 2010. Adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 47.0% from 49.1%.

By segment, Adjusted EBITDA for the Performance and Risk segment increased $73.4 million, or 60.6%, to $194.5 million from six months 2010. Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 50.2% from 49.1% in six months 2010. Adjusted EBITDA for the Governance segment was $17.0 million and the Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 27.3%.

See Table 15 titled "Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income" and "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Summary of Results for Second Quarter 2011 compared to Pro Forma Second Quarter 2010

Operating Revenues — See Table 9

Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total operating revenues increased $24.3 million, or 12.0%, to $226.5 million. Subscription revenues rose by $16.6 million, or 10.0%, to $182.3 million. Asset-based fees increased $10.6 million, or 41.3%, to $36.3 million. Non-recurring revenues declined $2.9 million to $7.9 million. By segment, Performance and Risk revenues rose $25.6 million, or 15.0%, to $195.5 million. Governance revenues declined $1.3 million, or 4.0%, to $31.0 million.

Index and ESG products: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total index and ESG revenues rose $18.1 million, or 21.4%, to $102.6 million. Index and ESG subscription revenues rose by $7.5 million, or 12.7%, to $66.3 million from $58.8 million. The strong growth was driven by higher revenues from MSCI's core benchmark indices and higher usage fees offset by a decline of $2.4 million of non-recurring revenues to $2.0 million. Revenues from asset-based fees increased $10.6 million, or 41.3%, to $36.3 million, compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, driven by higher levels of assets under management in ETFs linked to MSCI indices.

Risk management analytics: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, risk management analytics revenues rose $9.5 million, or 18.5%, to $60.8 million, driven by growth in revenues from both BarraOne and RiskManager products. The acquisition of Measurisk contributed $4.0 million.

Governance: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, governance revenues declined $1.3 million, or 4.0%, to $31.0 million. Non-recurring governance revenues were $4.2 million in second quarter 2011 versus $5.8 million in the pro forma second quarter 2010.

The acquisition of RiskMetrics did not impact the revenues attributable to the asset-based fees sub-category of index and ESG products, portfolio management analytics and energy and commodity analytics and comparisons for these products are not presented. Comparisons to second quarter 2010 revenues are discussed in the Summary of Results for Second Quarter 2011 compared to Second Quarter 2010 above.

Operating Expenses — See Table 10

Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total operating expenses excluding restructuring costs rose $3.1 million to $143.8 million.

Compensation costs: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, compensation costs excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation expense rose $0.9 million, or 1.1%, to $82.5 million. Second quarter 2010 compensation costs includes $1.9 million of employer payroll taxes related to stock options exercised by RiskMetrics employees subsequent to the announced merger with MSCI. Second quarter 2011 non-recurring stock-based compensation expense rose by $0.6 million, or 31.0%, to $2.7 million.

Non-compensation costs excluding depreciation and amortization: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total non-compensation costs excluding depreciation and amortization and restructuring costs increased $1.9 million, or 5.3%, to $37.0 million, led by an increase in professional fees partially offset by declines in tax and license fees, occupancy expenses and information technology costs.

Cost of services: Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total cost of services rose $0.4 million, or 0.6%, to $68.8 million. Compensation expenses excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation expense fell $2.0 million, or 3.9%, to $48.1 million. Non-compensation expenses rose by $2.0 million, or 11.3%, to $19.6 million, driven by seasonally higher costs of temporary contractors.

Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A): Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, total SG&A expense rose $3.0 million, or 6.0%, to $53.3 million. Within SG&A, compensation expenses excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation rose $2.9 million, or 9.3%, to $34.4 million. Non-compensation expenses fell $0.1 million, or 0.7%, to $17.4 million. The decrease in non-compensation expenses was driven by lower information technology expenses and lower taxes and license fees.

Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA — See Table 16

Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, net income increased $14.8 million, or 48.2%, to $45.7 million from $30.8 million.

Compared to pro forma second quarter 2010, Adjusted EBITDA increased $21.5 million, or 25.1%, to $107.0 million and the margin expanded to 47.2% from 42.3%. Performance and Risk segment Adjusted EBITDA grew by $22.1 million, or 28.5%, to $99.5 million and the margin increased to 50.9% from 45.6%. Governance Adjusted EBITDA fell by $0.6 million, or 7.7%, to $7.4 million and the margin decreased to 24.0% from 25.0%.

See Table 16 titled "Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to Pro Forma Net Income" and "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Summary of Results for Six Months Ended June 30, 2011 compared to Pro Forma Six Months Ended May 31, 2010

Operating Revenues — See Table 9

Total operating revenues for the pro forma six months 2011 compared to pro forma six months 2010 rose $49.4 million, or 12.3%, to $449.8 million. Subscription revenue rose $28.2 million, or 8.5%, to $359.0 million, driven by growth in index and ESG subscriptions and risk management analytics, which more than offset declines from portfolio management analytics and governance. Asset-based fees rose $19.3 million, or 38.1%, to $69.9 million. Non-recurring revenues increased by $2.0 million, or 10.3%, to $20.9 million, as higher risk management analytics and index and ESG products revenues offset a declines in non-recurring governance revenues. The acquisition of Measurisk contributed $7.1 million, or 1.8%, to growth for six months 2011.

The acquisition of RiskMetrics did not impact the revenues attributable to the asset-based fees sub-category of index and ESG products, portfolio management analytics and energy and commodity analytics and comparisons for these products are not presented. Comparisons to six months 2010 revenues are discussed in the Summary of Results for six months 2011 compared to six months 2010 above.

By segment, Performance and Risk revenues rose $51.8 million, or 15.4%, to $387.6 million. Governance revenues declined $2.4 million, or 3.7%, to $62.2 million.

Operating Expenses — See Table 10

Compared to pro forma six months 2010, total operating expense for pro forma six months 2011 increased $13.7 million, or 4.9%, to $291.7 million.

Total compensation expense excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation increased $8.2 million, or 5.1%, to $168.4 million. Non-compensation costs excluding depreciation and amortization and restructuring costs fell $0.2 million, or 0.3%, to $69.9 million.

Compared to pro forma six months 2010, total cost of services for pro forma six months 2011 rose $5.0 million, or 3.7%, to $139.1 million. The growth was driven by an increase of $0.9 million, or 1.0%, in compensation excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation expense and a $3.2 million, or 9.3%, increase in non-compensation expenses.

Total SG&A increased $4.4 million, or 4.3%, to $104.7 million in pro forma six months 2011. The increase was driven by growth of $7.2 million, or 11.7%, in compensation excluding non-recurring stock-based compensation partially offset by a decrease of $3.4 million, or 9.6%, in non-compensation expenses.

Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA — See Table 16

Compared to pro forma six months 2010, net income increased $19.8 million, or 33.4%, to $79.2 million from $59.3 million.

Compared to pro forma six months 2010, pro forma six months 2011 Adjusted EBITDA increased $41.4 million, or 24.4%, to $211.5 million and the margin expanded to 47.0% from 42.5%. By segment, Performance and Risk Adjusted EBITDA rose $41.1 million, or 26.8%, to $194.5 million. The margin expanded to 50.2% from 45.7%. Governance Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.3 million, or 1.8%, to $17.0 million and the margin rose to 27.3% from 25.8%.

See Table 16 titled "Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to Pro Forma Net Income" and "Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.

Conference Call Information

Investors will have the opportunity to listen to MSCI Inc.'s senior management review second quarter 2011 results on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 11:00 am Eastern Time. To listen to the live event, visit the investor relations section of MSCI's website, http://ir.msci.com/events.cfm, or dial 1-877-312-9206 within the United States. International callers dial 1-408-774-4001.

An audio recording of the conference call will be available on our website approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event and will be accessible through August 10, 2011. To listen to the recording, visit http://ir.msci.com/events.cfm, or dial 1-855-859-2056 (passcode: 84048648) within the United States. International callers dial 1-404-537-3406 (passcode: 84048648).

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally, including asset managers, banks, hedge funds and pension funds. MSCI products and services include indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools.

The company's flagship product offerings are: the MSCI indices which include more than 145,000 daily indices covering more than 70 countries; Barra portfolio risk and performance analytics covering global equity and fixed income markets; RiskMetrics market and credit risk analytics; ISS governance research and outsourced proxy voting and reporting services; MSCI environmental, social and governance research; FEA valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets; and CFRA forensic accounting risk research, legal/regulatory risk assessment, and due-diligence. MSCI is headquartered in New York, with research and commercial offices around the world. MSCI#IR

For further information on MSCI Inc. or our products please visit www.msci.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.

Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in MSCI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 31, 2011, and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what we projected. Any forward-looking statement in this release reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

MSCI has presented supplemental non-GAAP financial measures as part of this earnings release. A reconciliation is provided below that reconciles each non-GAAP financial measure with the most comparable GAAP measure. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternative measures for the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These measures are used by management to monitor the financial performance of the business, inform business decision making and forecast future results.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before provision for income taxes, other net expense and income, depreciation and amortization, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense, restructuring costs, and third party transaction costs related to the acquisition of RiskMetrics.

Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS are defined as net income and EPS, respectively, before provision for non-recurring stock-based compensation expenses, amortization of intangible assets, third party transaction costs related to the acquisition of RiskMetrics, restructuring costs, and the accelerated interest expense resulting from the termination of an interest rate swap and the accelerated amortization of deferred financing and debt discount costs (debt repayment expenses), as well as for any related tax effects.

We believe that adjustments related to transaction costs and debt repayment expenses are useful to management and investors because it allows for an evaluation of MSCI's underlying operating performance by excluding the costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of RiskMetrics. Additionally, we believe that adjusting for non-recurring stock-based compensation expenses and the amortization of intangible assets may help investors compare our performance to that of other companies in our industry as we do not believe that other companies in our industry have as significant a portion of their operating expenses represented by one-time non-recurring stock-based compensation expenses and amortization of intangible assets. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons and provide a baseline for the evaluation of future results.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted EPS are not defined in the same manner by all companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Table 2: MSCI Inc. Consolidated Statement of Income (unaudited)
						Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended
						June 30,					May 31,					March 31,						June 30,					May 31,
In thousands, except per share data							2011					2010					2011						2011					2010
Operating revenues						$	226,483				$	125,170				$	223,298					$	449,781				$	246,850
Operating expenses
Cost of services							68,840					30,463					70,218						139,058					59,754
Selling, general and administrative							53,321					40,177					51,418						104,739					77,638
Restructuring costs							40					-					4,431						4,471					-
Amortization of intangible assets							16,423					4,277					16,692						33,115					8,555
Depreciation and amortization of property,
equipment, and leasehold improvements							5,168					3,556					5,110						10,278					6,949
Total operating expenses						$	143,792				$	78,473				$	147,869					$	291,661				$	152,896
Operating income							82,691					46,697					75,429						158,120					93,954
Operating Margin							36.5	%				37.3	%				33.8	%					35.2	%				38.1	%
Interest income							(186	)				(343	)				(143	)					(329	)				(751	)
Interest expense							12,852					8,991					16,587						29,439					13,427
Other expense (income)							383					98					5,641						6,024					(510	)
Other expense, net						$	13,049				$	8,746				$	22,085					$	35,134				$	12,166
Income before income taxes							69,642					37,951					53,344						122,986					81,788
Provision for income taxes							23,982					13,884					19,823						43,805					30,203
Net income						$	45,660				$	24,067				$	33,521					$	79,181				$	51,585
Net Income Margin							20.2	%				19.2	%				15.0	%					17.6	%				20.9	%
Earnings per basic common share						$	0.38				$	0.23				$	0.28					$	0.65				$	0.48
Earnings per diluted common share						$	0.37				$	0.22				$	0.27					$	0.64				$	0.48
Weighted average shares outstanding used
in computing earnings per share
Basic							120,592					105,345					120,282						120,438					105,290
Diluted							122,235					106,003					122,013						122,125					105,923

Table 3: MSCI Inc. Selected Balance Sheet Items (unaudited)
				As of
				June 30,				November 30,
In thousands					2011				2010
Cash and cash equivalents				$	175,895			$	226,575
Short-term investments					111,167				73,891
Trade receivables, net of allowances					177,189				147,662
Deferred revenue				$	296,793			$	271,300
Current maturities of long-term debt					10,331				54,916
Long-term debt, net of current maturities					1,106,700				1,207,881

Table 4: Second Quarter 2011 Operating Revenues by Product Category and Revenue Type
						Three Months Ended															% Change from
						June 30,					May 31,					March 31,					May 31,					March 31,
In thousands						2011					2010					2011					2010					2011
Index and ESG products
	Subscriptions					$	66,275				$	54,250				$	62,159				22.2	%				6.6	%
	Asset-based fees						36,287					25,674					37,869				41.3	%				(4.2	%)
Index and ESG products total							102,562					79,924					100,028				28.3	%				2.5	%
Risk management analytics							60,806					11,105					58,866				447.5	%				3.3	%
Portfolio management analytics							29,193					30,266					29,284				(3.5	%)				(0.3	%)
Energy and commodity analytics							2,949					3,875					3,870				(23.9	%)				(23.8	%)
	Total Performance and Risk revenues					$	195,510				$	125,170				$	192,048				56.2	%				1.8	%
	Total Governance revenues						30,973					-					31,250				n/m					(0.9	%)
Total operating revenues						$	226,483				$	125,170				$	223,298				80.9	%				1.4	%
	Subscriptions					$	182,251				$	95,317				$	176,724				91.2	%				3.1	%
	Asset-based fees						36,287					25,674					33,607				41.3	%				8.0	%
	Non-recurring revenues						7,945					4,179					12,967				90.1	%				(38.7	%)
Total operating revenues						$	226,483				$	125,170				$	223,298				80.9	%				1.4	%

Table 5: Six Months 2011 Operating Revenues by Product Category and Revenue Type
						Six Months Ended										% Change from
						June 30,					May 31,					May 31,
In thousands						2011					2010					2010
Index and ESG products
	Subscriptions					$	128,434				$	104,474				22.9	%
	Asset-based fees						74,156					50,620				46.5	%
Index and ESG products total							202,590					155,094				30.6	%
Risk management analytics							119,672					21,964				444.9	%
Portfolio management analytics							58,477					61,725				(5.3	%)
Energy and commodity analytics							6,819					8,067				(15.5	%)
	Total Performance and Risk revenues					$	387,558				$	246,850				57.0	%
	Total Governance revenues						62,223					-				n/m
Total operating revenues						$	449,781				$	246,850				82.2	%
	Subscriptions					$	358,976				$	189,593				89.3	%
	Asset-based fees						69,894					50,620				38.1	%
	Non-recurring revenues						20,911					6,637				215.1	%
Total operating revenues						$	449,781				$	246,850				82.2	%

Table 6: Additional Second Quarter 2011 Operating Expense Detail
						Three Months Ended															% Change from
						June 30,					May 31,					March 31,					May 31,					March 31,
In thousands						2011					2010					2011					2010					2011
Cost of services
	Compensation					$	48,118				$	21,639				$	51,082				122.4	%				(5.8	%)
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp						1,108					715					1,130				54.8	%				(2.0	%)
	Total Compensation					$	49,226				$	22,354				$	52,212				120.2	%				(5.7	%)
	Non-Compensation						19,614					8,109					18,006				141.9	%				8.9	%
Total cost of services						$	68,840				$	30,463				$	70,218				126.0	%				(2.0	%)
Selling, general and administrative
	Compensation						34,370					21,085					34,805				63.0	%				(1.2	%)
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp						1,565					1,325					1,683				18.1	%				(7.0	%)
	Total Compensation					$	35,935				$	22,410				$	36,488				60.4	%				(1.5	%)
	Transaction expenses						-					5,264					-				(100.0	%)				n/m
	Non-compensation excl. transaction expenses						17,386					12,503					14,930				39.1	%				16.5	%
Total selling, general and administrative						$	53,321				$	40,177				$	51,418				32.7	%				3.7	%
Restructuring costs							40					-					4,431				n/m					(99.1	%)
Amortization of intangible assets							16,423					4,277					16,692				284.0	%				(1.6	%)
Depreciation and amortization							5,168					3,556					5,110				45.4	%				1.1	%
Total operating expenses						$	143,792				$	78,473				$	147,869				83.2	%				(2.8	%)
In thousands
Total non-recurring stock based comp							2,673				$	2,040				$	2,813				31.0	%				(5.0	%)
Compensation excluding non-recurring comp							82,488					42,724					85,887				93.1	%				(4.0	%)
Transaction expenses							-					5,264					-				(100.0	%)				n/m
Non-compensation excluding transaction expenses							37,000					20,612					32,936				79.5	%				12.3	%
Restructuring charges							40					-					4,431				n/m					(99.1	%)
Amortization of intangible assets							16,423					4,277					16,692				284.0	%				(1.6	%)
Depreciation and amortization							5,168					3,556					5,110				45.4	%				1.1	%
	Total operating expenses					$	143,792				$	78,473				$	147,869				83.2	%				(2.8	%)

Table 7: Additional Six Months 2011 Operating Expense Detail
								Six Months Ended
								June 30,						May 31,
In thousands								2011						2010							$ Change					% Change
Cost of services
	Compensation							$	99,201					$	43,324							55,878				129.0	%
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp								2,238						1,397							841				60.2	%
	Total Compensation							$	101,439					$	44,721							56,718				126.8	%
	Non-compensation								37,619						15,033							22,586				150.2	%
Total cost of services								$	139,058					$	59,754							79,304				132.7	%
Selling, general and administrative
	Compensation								69,175						42,355							26,820				63.3	%
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp								3,247						2,714							533				19.7	%
	Total Compensation							$	72,422					$	45,069							27,354				60.7	%
	Transaction expenses								-						7,514							(7,514	)			n/m
	Non-compensation excl. transaction expenses								32,317						25,055							7,262				29.0	%
Total selling, general and administrative								$	104,739					$	77,638							27,101				34.9	%
Restructuring costs									4,471						-							4,471				n/m
Amortization of intangible assets									33,115						8,555							24,559				287.1	%
Depreciation and amortization									10,278						6,949							3,329				47.9	%
Total operating expenses								$	291,661					$	152,896							138,765				90.8	%
In thousands																					$ Change					% Change
Total non-recurring stock based comp								$	5,485					$	4,111							1,374				33.4	%
Compensation excluding non-recurring comp									168,376						85,679							82,697				96.5	%
Transaction expenses									-						7,514							(7,514	)			n/m
Non-compensation excluding transaction expenses									69,936						40,088							29,849				74.5	%
Restructuring charges									4,471						-							4,471				n/m
Amortization of intangible assets									33,115						8,555							24,559				287.1	%
Depreciation and amortization									10,278						6,949							3,329				47.9	%
Total operating expenses								$	291,661					$	152,896							138,765				90.8	%

Table 8: Summary Second Quarter 2011 Segment Information
							Three Months Ended																Six Months Ended										% Change from
							June 30,					May 31,					March 31,						June 30,					May 31,					Second Quarter					Six Months
In thousands								2011					2010					2011						2011					2010				2010					2010
Revenues:
Performance and Risk							$	195,510				$	125,170				$	192,048					$	387,558				$	246,850				56.2	%				57.0	%
Governance								30,973					-					31,250						62,223					-				n/m					n/m
	Total Operating revenues						$	226,483				$	125,170				$	223,298					$	449,781				$	246,850				80.9	%				82.2	%
Operating Income
Performance and Risk								79,855					46,697					72,646						152,501					93,954				71.0	%				62.3	%
	Margin							40.8	%				37.3	%				37.8	%					39.3	%				38.1	%
Governance								2,836					-					2,783						5,619					-				n/m					n/m
	Margin							9.2	%									8.9	%					9.0	%
	Total Operating Income						$	82,691				$	46,697				$	75,429					$	158,120				$	93,954				77.1	%				68.3	%
	Margin							36.5	%				37.3	%				33.8	%					35.2	%				38.1	%
Adjusted EBITDA
Performance and Risk								99,549					61,834					94,962						194,510					121,083				61.0	%				60.6	%
	Margin							50.9	%				49.4	%				49.4	%					50.2	%				49.1	%
Governance								7,446					-					9,513						16,959					-				n/m					n/m
	Margin							24.0	%									30.4	%					27.3	%
	Total Adjusted EBITDA						$	106,995				$	61,834				$	104,475					$	211,469				$	121,083				73.0	%				74.6	%
	Margin							47.2	%				49.4	%				46.8	%					47.0	%				49.1	%

Table 9: Pro Forma Operating Revenues by Product Category and Revenue Type
																			% Change from
					Second Quarter							Six Months							Second Quarter					Six Months
In thousands						2011			20101				2011			20102			2010					2010
Index and ESG products
	Subscriptions				$	66,275		$	58,809			$	128,434		$	113,539			12.7	%				13.1	%
	Asset-based fees					36,287			25,674				74,156			50,620			41.3	%				46.5	%
Index and ESG products total						102,562			84,483				202,590			164,159			21.4	%				23.4	%
Risk management analytics						60,806			51,321				119,672			101,770			18.5	%				17.6	%
Portfolio management analytics						29,193			30,266				58,477			61,725			(3.5	%)				(5.3	%)
Energy and commodity analytics						2,949			3,875				6,819			8,067			(23.9	%)				(15.5	%)
	Total Performance and Risk revenues				$	195,510		$	169,945			$	387,558		$	335,721			15.0	%				15.4	%
	Total Governance revenues					30,973			32,271				62,223			64,647			(4.0	%)				(3.7	%)
Total operating revenues					$	226,483		$	202,216			$	449,781		$	400,368			12.0	%				12.3	%
	Subscriptions				$	182,251		$	165,662			$	358,976		$	330,794			10.0	%				8.5	%
	Asset-based fees					36,287			25,674				69,894			50,620			41.3	%				38.1	%
	Non-recurring revenues					7,945			10,880				20,911			18,954			(27.0	%)				10.3	%
Total operating revenues					$	226,483		$	202,216			$	449,781		$	400,368			12.0	%				12.3	%
1Includes MSCI's results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' first quarter ended March 31, 2010
2Includes MSCI's results for the six months ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 and first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Table 10: Pro Forma Operating Expense Detail
																	% Change from
			Second Quarter							Six Months							Second Quarter			Six Months
In thousands			2011			20101					2011		20102				2010			2010
Cost of services
	Compensation		$	48,118		$	50,095			$	99,201		$	98,256			(3.9	%)		1.0	%
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp			1,108			715				2,238			1,397			54.8	%		60.2	%
	Total Compensation		$	49,226		$	50,810			$	101,439		$	99,653			(3.1	%)		1.8	%
	Non-compensation			19,614			17,619				37,619			34,414			11.3	%		9.3	%
Total cost of services			$	68,840		$	68,429			$	139,058		$	134,067			0.6	%		3.7	%
Selling, general and administrative
	Compensation			34,370			31,460				69,175			61,932			9.3	%		11.7	%
	Non-Recurring Stock Based Comp			1,565			1,325				3,247			2,714			18.1	%		19.7	%
	Total Compensation		$	35,935		$	32,785			$	72,422		$	64,646			9.6	%		12.0	%
	Transaction expenses			-			-				-			-			-			-
	Non-compensation excl. transaction expenses			17,386			17,506				32,317			35,730			(0.7	%)		(9.6	%)
Total selling, general and administrative			$	53,321		$	50,291			$	104,739		$	100,376			6.0	%		4.3	%
Restructuring costs				40			-				4,471			-			n/m			n/m
Amortization of intangible assets				16,423			16,180				33,115			32,360			1.5	%		2.3	%
Depreciation and amortization				5,168			5,707				10,278			11,196			(9.4	%)		(8.2	%)
Total operating expenses			$	143,792		$	140,607			$	291,661		$	277,999			2.3	%		4.9	%
In thousands
Total non-recurring stock based comp			$	2,673		$	2,040			$	5,485		$	4,111			31.0	%		33.4	%
Compensation excluding non-recurring comp				82,488			81,555				168,376			160,188			1.1	%		5.1	%
Transaction expenses				-			-				-			-			-			-
Non-compensation excluding transaction expenses				37,000			35,125				69,936			70,144			5.3	%		(0.3	%)
Restructuring charges				40			-				4,471			-			n/m			n/m
Amortization of intangible assets				16,423			16,180				33,115			32,360			1.5	%		2.3	%
Depreciation and amortization				5,168			5,707				10,278			11,196			(9.4	%)		(8.2	%)
	Total operating expenses		$	143,792		$	140,607			$	291,661		$	277,999			2.3	%		4.9	%
1Includes MSCI's results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' first quarter ended March 31, 2010
2Includes MSCI's results for the six months ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 and first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Table 11: Pro Forma Summary Segment
																				% Change from
				Second Quarter								Six Months								Second Quarter				Six Months
In thousands					2011				20101				2011				20102			2010				2010
Revenues:
Performance and Risk				$	195,510			$	169,945			$	387,558			$	335,721			15.0	%			15.4	%
Governance					30,973				32,271				62,223				64,647			(4.0	%)			(3.7	%)
	Total Operating revenues			$	226,483			$	202,216			$	449,781			$	400,368			12.0	%			12.3	%
Operating Income
Performance and Risk					79,855				58,027				152,501				114,560			37.6	%			33.1	%
	Margin				40.8	%			34.1	%			39.3	%			34.1	%
Governance					2,836				3,582				5,619				7,809			(20.8	%)			(28.0	%)
	Margin				9.2	%			11.1	%			9.0	%			12.1	%
	Total Operating Income			$	82,691			$	61,609			$	158,120			$	122,369			34.2	%			29.2	%
	Margin				36.5	%			30.5	%			35.2	%			30.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA
Performance and Risk					99,549				77,465				194,510				153,375			28.5	%			26.8	%
	Margin				50.9	%			45.6	%			50.2	%			45.7	%
Governance					7,446				8,071				16,959				16,661			(7.7	%)			1.8	%
	Margin				24.0	%			25.0	%			27.3	%			25.8	%
	Total Adjusted EBITDA			$	106,995			$	85,536			$	211,469			$	170,036			25.1	%			24.4	%
	Margin				47.2	%			42.3	%			47.0	%			42.5	%
1Includes MSCI's results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' first quarter ended March 31, 2009
2Includes MSCI's results for the six months ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 and first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Table 12: Key Operating Metrics1
						As of or For the Quarter Ended												% Change from
						June 30,								March 31,				June 30,			March 31,
Dollars in thousands						2011				2010				2011				2010			2011
Run Rates 2
Index and ESG products
	Subscriptions					$	257,470			$	221,174			$	247,870			16.4	%		3.9	%
	Asset-based fees						140,144				94,496				134,257			48.3	%		4.4	%
Index and ESG products total							397,614				315,670				382,127			26.0	%		4.1	%
Risk management analytics							249,048				200,161				243,853			24.4	%		2.1	%
Portfolio management analytics							118,452				121,525				116,839			(2.5	%)		1.4	%
Energy and commodity analytics							15,074				15,344				15,047			(1.8	%)		0.2	%
	Total Performance and Risk Run Rate					$	780,188			$	652,700			$	757,866			19.5	%		2.9	%
	Governance Run Rate						107,755				105,448				105,870			2.2	%		1.8	%
Total Run Rate						$	887,943			$	758,148			$	863,736			17.1	%		2.8	%
Subscription total							747,799				663,652				729,479			12.7	%		2.5	%
Asset-based fees total							140,144				94,496				134,257			48.3	%		4.4	%
Total Run Rate						$	887,943			$	758,148			$	863,736			17.1	%		2.8	%
Subscription Run Rate by region
% Americas							52	%			52	%			52	%
% non-Americas							48	%			48	%			48	%
Subscription Run Rate by client type
% Asset Management							57	%			57	%			56	%
% Banking & Trading							16	%			16	%			17	%
% Alternative Invt Mgmt							11	%			10	%			11	%
% Asset Owners & Consultants							9	%			9	%			9	%
% Corporate							2	%			2	%			2	%
% Others							5	%			6	%			5	%
New Recurring Subscription Sales						$	30,298			$	33,847			$	34,612			(10.5	%)		(12.5	%)
Subscription Cancellations							(14,965	)			(18,222	)			(14,402	)		(17.9	%)		3.9	%
Net New Recurring Subscription Sales						$	15,333			$	15,624			$	20,210			(1.9	%)		(24.1	%)
Non-recurring sales							8,415				6,292				13,648			33.7	%		(38.3	%)
Employees							2,133				2,055				2,049			3.8	%		4.1	%
% Employees by location
Developed Market Centers							65	%			73	%			68	%
Emerging Market Centers							35	%			27	%			32	%

				1 Reflects combined legacy MSCI and RiskMetrics results in June 2010.
				2 The run rate at a particular point in time represents the forward-looking fees for the next 12 months from all subscriptions and investment product licenses we currently provide to our clients under renewable contracts assuming all contracts that come up for renewal are renewed and assuming then-current exchange rates. For any subscription or license whose fees are linked to an investment product's assets or trading volume, the run rate calculation reflects an annualization of the most recent periodic fee earned under such license or subscription. The run rate does not include fees associated with "one-time" and other non-recurring transactions. In addition, we remove from the run rate the fees associated with any subscription or investment product license agreement with respect to which we have received a notice of termination or non-renewal during the period and we have determined that such notice evidences the client's final decision to terminate or not renew the applicable subscription or agreement, even though the notice is not effective until a later date.

Table 13: Supplemental Operating Metrics
		Recurring Subscription Sales & Subscription Cancellations
			Three Months Ended 2010													Three Months Ended 2011								Six Months Ended
			March			June			September			December				March			June					June 2010				June 2011
New Recurring Subscription Sales			$	26,831		$	33,847		$	35,373		$	33,742			$	34,612		$	30,298				$	60,678			$	64,910
Subscription Cancellations				(19,379	)		(18,222	)		(19,654	)		(30,174	)			(14,402	)		(14,965	)				(37,601	)			(29,367	)
Net New Recurring Subscription Sales			$	7,452		$	15,625		$	15,719		$	3,568			$	20,210		$	15,333				$	23,077			$	35,543
			Aggregate & Core Retention Rates
			Three Months Ended 2010													Three Months Ended 2011								Six Months Ended
			March			June			September			December				March			June					June 2010				June 2011
Aggregate Retention Rate 1
	Index and ESG products			94.4	%		90.2	%		92.4	%		89.8	%			95.0	%		92.8	%				92.3	%			93.9	%
	Risk management analytics			83.4	%		92.0	%		87.7	%		85.6	%			94.2	%		92.2	%				87.7	%			93.0	%
	Portfolio management analytics			88.9	%		84.5	%		82.2	%		63.1	%			88.6	%		91.4	%				86.7	%			90.0	%
	Energy & commodity analytics			80.7	%		86.8	%		90.3	%		81.7	%			76.9	%		88.8	%				83.7	%			82.9	%
Total Performance and Risk				88.7	%		89.4	%		88.3	%		82.1	%			93.0	%		92.2	%				89.1	%			92.5	%
Total Governance				84.8	%		85.6	%		87.1	%		80.1	%			85.0	%		90.4	%				85.2	%			87.7	%
	Total Aggregate Retention Rate			88.1	%		88.8	%		88.1	%		81.8	%			91.8	%		91.9	%				88.4	%			91.8	%
Core Retention Rate 1
	Index and ESG products			95.1	%		90.7	%		92.6	%		90.1	%			95.2	%		92.8	%				92.9	%			94.0	%
	Risk management analytics			85.2	%		92.5	%		90.0	%		85.6	%			94.2	%		92.7	%				88.8	%			93.5	%
	Portfolio management analytics			90.9	%		86.7	%		86.0	%		64.1	%			89.9	%		93.2	%				88.8	%			91.5	%
	Energy & commodity analytics			80.7	%		86.8	%		90.3	%		81.2	%			76.9	%		88.8	%				83.7	%			82.9	%
Total Performance and Risk				90.1	%		90.3	%		90.1	%		82.4	%			93.4	%		92.7	%				90.2	%			93.0	%
Total Governance				84.8	%		85.6	%		87.1	%		80.1	%			85.0	%		90.4	%				85.2	%			87.7	%
	Total Core Retention Rate			89.2	%		89.5	%		89.6	%		82.0	%			92.1	%		92.4	%				89.4	%			92.2	%

¹ The quarterly Aggregate Retention Rates are calculated by annualizing the cancellations for which we have received a notice of termination or non-renewal during the quarter and we have determined that such notice evidences the client's final decision to terminate or not renew the applicable subscription or agreement, even though such notice is not effective until a later date. This annualized cancellation figure is then divided by the subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the year to calculate a cancellation rate. This cancellation rate is then subtracted from 100% to derive the annualized Retention Rate for the quarter. The Aggregate Retention Rate is computed on a product-by-product basis. Therefore, if a client reduces the number of products to which it subscribes or switches between our products, we treat it as a cancellation. In addition, we treat any reduction in fees resulting from renegotiated contracts as a cancellation in the calculation to the extent of the reduction. Aggregate Retention Rates are generally higher during the first three quarters and lower in the fourth quarter. For the calculation of the Core Retention Rate the same methodology is used except the amount of cancellations in the quarter is reduced by the amount of product swaps.

Table 14: ETF Assets Linked to MSCI Indices1
				Three Months Ended 2010														Three Months Ended 2011								Six Months Ended
In Billions				March			June				September			December				March			June					June 2010				June 2011
Beginning Period AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI Indices				$	243.0		$	255.4			$	236.8		$	290.7			$	333.3		$	350.1				$	243.0			$	333.3
Cash Inflow/ Outflow					4.9			11.8				14.9			21.9				6.7			14.2					16.7				20.9
Appreciation/Depreciation					7.5			(30.4	)			39.0			20.7				10.1			(3.8	)				(22.9	)			6.3
Period End AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI Indices				$	255.4		$	236.8			$	290.7		$	333.3			$	350.1		$	360.5				$	236.8			$	360.5
Period Average AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI Indices				$	242.8		$	249.6			$	263.7		$	317.0			$	337.6		$	356.8				$	246.9			$	348.1
1Our ETF assets under management calculation methodology is ETF net asset value (NAV) multiplied by shares outstanding. Source: Bloomberg and MSCI

Table 15: Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2011															Three Months Ended May 31, 2010
	Performance and Risk				Governance					Total						Performance  and Risk				Governance				Total
Net Income										$	45,660													$	24,067
Plus: Provision for income taxes											23,982														13,884
Plus: Other expense (income), net											13,049														8,746
Operating income	$	79,855			$	2,836				$	82,691					$	46,697			$	-			$	46,697
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp		2,508				165					2,673						2,040				-				2,040
Plus: Transaction costs		-				-					-						5,264				-				5,264
Plus: Depreciation and amortization		4,041				1,127					5,168						3,556				-				3,556
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets		13,073				3,350					16,423						4,277				-				4,277
Plus: Restructuring costs		72				(32	)				40						-				-				-
Adjusted EBITDA	$	99,549			$	7,446				$	106,995					$	61,834			$	-			$	61,834
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2011															Six Months Ended May 31, 2010
	Performance and Risk				Governance					Total						Performance and Risk				Governance				Total
Net Income										$	79,181													$	51,585
Plus: Provision for income taxes											43,805														30,203
Plus: Other expense (income), net											35,134														12,166
Operating income	$	152,501			$	5,619				$	158,120					$	93,954			$	-			$	93,954
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp		5,186				299					5,485						4,111				-				4,111
Plus: Transaction costs		-				-					-						7,514				-				7,514
Plus: Depreciation and amortization		8,020				2,258					10,278						6,949				-				6,949
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets		26,415				6,700					33,115						8,555				-				8,555
Plus: Restructuring costs		2,388				2,083					4,471						-				-				-
Adjusted EBITDA	$	194,510			$	16,959				$	211,469					$	121,083			$	-			$	121,083

Table 16: Reconciliation of Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA to Pro Forma Net Income
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2011								Second Quarter 20101
			Performance and Risk		Governance			Total			Performance and Risk		Governance		Total
Net Income								$	45,660						$	30,813
Plus: Provision for income taxes									23,982							12,915
Plus: Other expense (income), net									13,049							17,881
Operating income			$	79,855	$	2,836		$	82,691		$	58,027	$	3,582	$	61,609
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp				2,508		165			2,673			2,040		-		2,040
Plus: Transaction costs				-		-			-			-		-		-
Plus: Depreciation and amortization				4,041		1,127			5,168			4,568		1,139		5,707
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets				13,073		3,350			16,423			12,830		3,350		16,180
Plus: Restructuring costs				72		(32	)		40			-		-		-
Adjusted EBITDA			$	99,549	$	7,446		$	106,995		$	77,465	$	8,071	$	85,536
			Six Months Ended June 30, 2011								Six Months 20102
			Performance and Risk		Governance			Total			Performance and Risk		Governance		Total
Net Income								$	79,181						$	59,347
Plus: Provision for income taxes									43,805							28,096
Plus: Other expense (income), net									35,134							34,926
Operating income			$	152,501	$	5,619		$	158,120		$	114,560	$	7,809	$	122,369
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp				5,186		299			5,485			4,111		-		4,111
Plus: Transaction costs				-		-			-			-		-		-
Plus: Depreciation and amortization				8,020		2,258			10,278			9,044		2,152		11,196
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets				26,415		6,700			33,115			25,660		6,700		32,360
Plus: Restructuring costs				2,388		2,083			4,471			-		-		-
Adjusted EBITDA			$	194,510	$	16,959		$	211,469		$	153,375	$	16,661	$	170,036
1Includes MSCI's results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' first quarter ended March 31, 2010
2Includes MSCI's results for the six months ended May 31, 2010 and RiskMetrics' fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 and first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Table 17: Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS to Net Income and EPS
					Three Months Ended													Six Months Ended
					June 30,				May 31,				March 31,					June 30,				May 31,
						2011				2010				2011					2011				2010
GAAP - Net income					$	45,660			$	24,067			$	33,521				$	79,181			$	51,585
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp						2,673				2,040				2,813					5,485				4,111
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets						16,423				4,277				16,692					33,115				8,555
Plus: Transaction costs1						-				5,264				-					-				7,514
Plus: Debt repayment and refinancing expenses2						-				6,280				6,404					6,404				6,280
Plus: Restructuring costs					$	40			$	-			$	4,431				$	4,471			$	-
Less: Income tax effect3						(6,590	)			(4,315	)			(11,275	)				(17,622	)			(6,997	)
Adjusted net income					$	58,206			$	37,613			$	52,585				$	111,034			$	71,048
GAAP - EPS					$	0.37			$	0.22			$	0.27				$	0.64			$	0.48
Plus: Non-recurring stock based comp						0.02				0.02				0.02					0.04				0.04
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets						0.13				0.04				0.14					0.27				0.08
Plus: Transaction costs1						0.00				0.05				0.00					0.00				0.07
Plus: Debt repayment and refinancing expenses2						0.00				0.06				0.05					0.05				0.06
Plus: Restructuring costs						0.00				0.00				0.04					0.04				0.00
Less: Income tax effect3						(0.05	)			(0.04	)			(0.09	)				(0.14	)			(0.07	)
Adjusted EPS					$	0.47			$	0.35			$	0.43				$	0.90			$	0.66
1Third party transaction expenses related to the acquisition of RiskMetrics
2In the first quarter of 2011, MSCI repaid $88.0 million of its outstanding term loan. At the same time, MSCI repriced the remaining $1.125 million loan. As a result, MSCI recorded $6.1 million of underwriting fees in conjunction with the repricing and $0.3 million of accelerated deferred financing expense related to the $88 million repayment. MSCI also incurred $6.3 million of expenses in second quarter 2010 resulting from its decision to repay $297 million of its then outstanding term loans.
3For the purposes of calculating Adjusted EPS, non-recurring stock based compensation, amortization of intangible assets, debt repayment and refinancing expenses, and restructuring costs are assumed to be taxed at the effective tax rate excluding transaction costs. For the second quarter 2011, the rate is 34.4%. For the second quarter 2010, the effective tax rate excluding transaction costs was 36.6%. For the six months 2011, the rate is 35.6% and for six months 2010, the rate was 36.9%.

MSCI Inc.
Edings Thibault, + 1-212-804-5273
MSCI, New York
or
For media inquiries:
Abernathy MacGregor, New York
Kenny Suarez| Patrick Clifford, + 1-212-371-5999
or
MHP Communications, London
Sally Todd| Kristy Fitzpatrick, + 44-20-3128-8100

Source: MSCI

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