10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-33812

MSCI INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware	13-4038723
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
7 World Trade Center 250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor New York, New York	10007
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 804-3900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	MSCI	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

As of April 21, 2020, there were 83,595,699 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.01.

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
	Part I – Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	40
	Part II – Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	41
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	41
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	41
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	42
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	42
Item 5.	Other Information	42
Item 6.	Exhibits	43

2

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

MSCI Inc.’s website is www.msci.com. You can access MSCI Inc.’s Investor Relations homepage at http://ir.msci.com. MSCI Inc. makes available free of charge, on or through its Investor Relations homepage, its proxy statements, Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. MSCI Inc. also makes available, through its Investor Relations homepage, via a link to the SEC’s website, statements of beneficial ownership of MSCI Inc.’s equity securities filed by its directors, officers, 5% or greater shareholders and others under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

You can access information about MSCI Inc.’s corporate governance at http://ir.msci.com/corporate-governance.cfm, including copies of the following:

• Charters for MSCI Inc.’s Audit Committee, Compensation & Talent Management Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Strategy and Finance Committee;

• Corporate Governance Policies;

• Procedures for Submission of Ethical or Accounting Related Complaints; and

• Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

MSCI Inc.’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applies to all directors, officers and employees, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer. MSCI Inc. will post any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange LLC on its website. You can request a copy of these documents, excluding exhibits, at no cost, by contacting Investor Relations, MSCI Inc., 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10007; (212) 804-5306. The information on MSCI Inc.’s website is not incorporated by reference into this report or any other report filed or furnished by us with the SEC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking 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 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 MSCI’s 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 the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 18, 2020 and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if MSCI’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what MSCI projected. Any forward-looking statement in this report reflects MSCI’s current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to MSCI’s operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. MSCI assumes 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, except as required by law.

3

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA DISCLOSURE

MSCI Inc. uses its website, including its quarterly updates, blog, podcasts and social media channels, including its corporate Twitter account (@MSCI_Inc) as channels of distribution of company information. The information MSCI Inc. posts through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following MSCI Inc.’s press releases, quarterly SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about MSCI Inc. when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts Subscription” section of its Investor Relations homepage at http://ir.msci.com/email-alerts. The contents of MSCI Inc.’s website, including its quarterly updates, blog, podcasts and social media channels are not, however, incorporated by reference into this report or any other report filed or furnished by us with the SEC.

4

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MSCI INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(in thousands, except per share and share data)

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,066,856		$	1,506,567
Accounts receivable, net of allowances		481,990			499,268
Prepaid income taxes		27,836			31,590
Prepaid and other assets		43,091			44,352
Total current assets		1,619,773			2,081,777
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		86,278			90,708
Right of use assets		163,704			166,406
Goodwill		1,559,425			1,562,868
Intangible assets, net		253,398			261,487
Equity method investment		190,822			—
Deferred tax assets		19,938			20,911
Other non-current assets		18,461			20,282
Total assets	$	3,911,799		$	4,204,439
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	5,864		$	6,498
Income taxes payable		16,486			14,210
Accrued compensation and related benefits		62,661			166,273
Other accrued liabilities		138,796			139,149
Deferred revenue		574,472			574,656
Total current liabilities		798,279			900,786
Long-term debt		3,170,061			3,071,926
Long-term operating lease liabilities		161,550			164,144
Deferred tax liabilities		58,393			66,639
Other non-current liabilities		77,847			77,658
Total liabilities		4,266,130			4,281,153
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 7)
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock (par value $0.01, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)		—			—
Common stock (par value $0.01; 750,000,000 common shares authorized; 132,797,535    and 132,419,412 common shares issued and 83,709,132 and 84,794,930 common    shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)		1,328			1,324
Treasury shares, at cost (49,088,403 and 47,624,482 common shares held at March 31, 2020    and December 31, 2019, respectively)		(3,938,714	)		(3,565,784	)
Additional paid in capital		1,366,442			1,351,031
Retained earnings		2,288,817			2,199,294
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(72,204	)		(62,579	)
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)		(354,331	)		(76,714	)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)	$	3,911,799		$	4,204,439

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

5

MSCI INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019
	(unaudited)
Operating revenues	$	416,780		$	371,381
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues		74,609			82,346
Selling and marketing		55,549			56,048
Research and development		26,562			23,172
General and administrative		30,833			27,497
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776			11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and    leasehold improvements		7,567			7,850
Total operating expenses		208,896			208,706
Operating income		207,884			162,675
Interest income		(3,483	)		(4,086	)
Interest expense		40,231			35,915
Other expense (income)		8,287			2,554
Other expense (income), net		45,035			34,383
Income before provision for income taxes		162,849			128,292
Provision for income taxes		14,724			(49,900	)
Net income	$	148,125		$	178,192
Earnings per basic common share	$	1.75		$	2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.73		$	2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing    earnings per share
Basic		84,870			84,253
Diluted		85,548			85,649

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

MSCI INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019
	(unaudited)
Net income	$	148,125		$	178,192
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(12,363	)		1,533
Income tax effect		2,468			(347	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net		(9,895	)		1,186
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments		306			20
Income tax effect		(36	)		(9	)
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments, net		270			11
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(9,625	)		1,197
Comprehensive income	$	138,500		$	179,389

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

MSCI INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(in thousands)

											Accumulated
						Additional					Other
	Common		Treasury			Paid in		Retained			Comprehensive
	Stock		Stock			Capital		Earnings			Income (Loss)			Total
	(unaudited)
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	1,324	$	(3,565,784	)	$	1,351,031	$	2,199,294		$	(62,579	)	$	(76,714	)
Net income									148,125						148,125
Cumulative-effect adjustment									631						631
Dividends declared ($0.68 per common share)									(59,233	)					(59,233	)
Dividends paid in shares							78								78
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax												(9,625	)		(9,625	)
Common stock issued		4													4
Shares withheld for tax withholding				(47,195	)										(47,195	)
Compensation payable in common stock							15,333								15,333
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury				(325,699	)										(325,699	)
Common stock issued to directors and held in treasury				(36	)										(36	)
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	1,328	$	(3,938,714	)	$	1,366,442	$	2,288,817		$	(72,204	)	$	(354,331	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	1,300	$	(3,272,774	)	$	1,306,428	$	1,856,951		$	(58,399	)	$	(166,494	)
Net income									178,192						178,192
Dividends declared ($0.58 per common share)									(55,339	)					(55,339	)
Dividends paid in shares							93								93
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax												1,197			1,197
Common stock issued		23													23
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises				(182,385	)										(182,385	)
Compensation payable in common stock and options							9,590								9,590
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury				(102,081	)										(102,081	)
Common stock issued to directors and held in treasury				(30	)										(30	)
Exercise of stock options							726								726
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	1,323	$	(3,557,270	)	$	1,316,837	$	1,979,804		$	(57,202	)	$	(316,508	)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

8

MSCI INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	148,125		$	178,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776			11,793
Stock-based compensation expense		15,163			9,541
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567			7,850
Amortization of right of use assets		5,989			5,583
Amortization of debt origination fees		1,089			986
Loss on extinguishment of debt		9,966			—
Deferred taxes		(5,165	)		(8,397	)
Other non-cash adjustments		337			(200	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		15,926			46,805
Prepaid income taxes		3,330			(53,613	)
Prepaid and other assets		296			406
Accounts payable		(1,536	)		(1,793	)
Accrued compensation and related benefits		(98,658	)		(81,170	)
Income taxes payable		2,229			(5,843	)
Other accrued liabilities		(3,563	)		(7,107	)
Deferred revenue		2,252			(13,352	)
Long-term operating lease liabilities		(6,078	)		(5,422	)
Other		1,725			3,616
Net cash provided by operating activities		112,770			87,875
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of equity method investment		(190,822	)		—
Capitalized software development costs		(7,203	)		(4,990	)
Capital expenditures		(3,613	)		(3,156	)
Proceeds from the sale of capital equipment		—			10
Net cash used in investing activities		(201,638	)		(8,136	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings		405,000			—
Repayment of long-term debt		(307,875	)		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		—			726
Repurchase of common stock held in treasury		(372,894	)		(284,466	)
Payment of dividends		(59,378	)		(57,895	)
Payment of debt issuance costs in connection with debt		(4,934	)		—
Net cash used in financing activities		(340,081	)		(341,635	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		(10,762	)		501
Net decrease in cash		(439,711	)		(261,395	)
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of period		1,506,567			904,176
Cash and cash equivalent, end of period	$	1,066,856		$	642,781
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	40,495		$	35,148
Cash paid for income taxes	$	5,684		$	17,312
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements accrued, but not yet paid	$	4,987		$	2,848
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Cash dividends declared, but not yet paid	$	616		$	237

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

9

MSCI INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

MSCI Inc., together with its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “MSCI”) provides critical decision support tools and services that bring greater transparency to the global financial markets. MSCI’s tools and services include indexes; portfolio construction tools and risk-management services; environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) research and ratings; and real estate benchmarks, return analytics services and market insights; much of which can be accessed by clients through multiple channels and platforms.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to state fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and related financial statement information as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from the 2019 audited consolidated financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). 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, 2019.  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 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, assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes, incremental borrowing rates 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.  

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Concentrations

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 11.3% and 11.6% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 18.5% and 19.3% of the Index segment operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues within the Analytics and All Other segments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

Following the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” effective beginning January 1, 2020, the Company records an allowance on customer accounts at the time of billing based on the estimated amount of the billing that will not be collected.

10

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on doubtful accounts receivable from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2020 were as follows:

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,027
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		1,024
Write-offs, net of recoveries		(336	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	1,715
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		333
Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries		(844	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	1,204

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES

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 estimated credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, modify the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provide for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2018-19, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-04, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief,” or ASU 2019-05, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates,” or ASU 2019-10 and Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-11. The amendments in these ASUs provide clarifications to ASU 2016-13.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and the related clarifications effective January 1, 2020. The adoption did not 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 performed procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities. When applying 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. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2020.

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

MSCI’s revenues are characterized by product type, which broadly reflects the nature of how they are recognized. The Company’s revenue types are recurring subscription, asset-based fees and non-recurring revenues. The Company also reports revenues by segment.

11

The tables that follow present the disaggregated revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2020
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	139,840	$	124,065	$	40,520	$	304,425
Asset-based fees		100,196		—		—		100,196
Non-recurring		9,220		1,443		1,496		12,159
Total	$	249,256	$	125,508	$	42,016	$	416,780

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	127,674	$	120,110	$	34,580	$	282,364
Asset-based fees		81,808		—		—		81,808
Non-recurring		5,291		1,325		593		7,209
Total	$	214,773	$	121,435	$	35,173	$	371,381

The tables that follow present the change in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue between the dates indicated (in thousands):

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2019)	$	499,268		$	574,656
Closing (03/31/2020)		481,990			574,472
Increase/(decrease)	$	(17,278	)	$	(184	)

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2018)	$	473,433		$	537,977
Closing (03/31/2019)		427,099			524,988
Increase/(decrease)	$	(46,334	)	$	(12,989	)

The amount of revenue recognized in the periods that was included in the opening current deferred revenue, which reflects contract liability amounts, were $212.4 million and $168.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s deferred revenue was primarily driven by an increase in the amortization of deferred revenue to operating revenues, partially offset by an increase in billings. MSCI had an insignificant long-term deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2020, reflected as a part of “Other non-current liabilities” on its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

For contracts that have a duration of one year or less, the Company has not disclosed either the remaining performance obligation as of the end of the reporting period or when the Company expects to recognize the revenue. The remaining performance obligations for contracts that have a duration of greater than one year and the periods in which they are expected to be recognized are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
	2020
	(in thousands)
First 12-month period	$	357,086
Second 12-month period		163,329
Third 12-month period		65,213
Periods thereafter		13,392
Total	$	599,020

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4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income 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.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		84,870		84,253
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		678		1,396
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		85,548		85,649
Earnings per basic common share	$	1.75	$	2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.73	$	2.08

5. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net consisted of the following as of the specified dates:

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	188,788		$	185,794
Furniture & fixtures		13,120			12,478
Leasehold improvements		54,826			52,339
Work-in-process		3,779			8,667
Subtotal		260,513			259,278
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(174,235	)		(168,570	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	86,278		$	90,708

Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $7.6 million and $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill

The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	Index			Analytics		All Other			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2019	$	1,204,694		$	290,976	$	67,198		$	1,562,868
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(2,138	)		—		(1,305	)		(3,443	)
Goodwill at March 31, 2020	$	1,202,556		$	290,976	$	65,893		$	1,559,425

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Intangible Assets, Net

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $13.8 million and $11.8 million, respectively. The amortization expense of acquired intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $8.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively. The amortization expense of internally developed capitalized software for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $5.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

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

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	356,700		$	356,700
Trademarks/trade names		207,300			207,300
Technology/software		268,978			263,719
Proprietary data		28,627			28,627
Subtotal		861,605			856,346
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(10,269	)		(7,615	)
Total gross intangible assets	$	851,336		$	848,731
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(237,115	)	$	(231,665	)
Trademarks/trade names		(136,051	)		(133,305	)
Technology/software		(213,156	)		(209,878	)
Proprietary data		(14,405	)		(13,963	)
Subtotal		(600,727	)		(588,811	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		2,789			1,567
Total accumulated amortization	$	(597,938	)	$	(587,244	)
Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	119,585		$	125,035
Trademarks/trade names		71,249			73,995
Technology/software		55,822			53,841
Proprietary data		14,222			14,664
Subtotal		260,878			267,535
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(7,480	)		(6,048	)
Total net intangible assets	$	253,398		$	261,487

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2020 and succeeding years:

Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2020	$	42,035
2021		52,471
2022		45,186
2023		35,300
2024		33,437
Thereafter		44,969
Total	$	253,398

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7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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

Senior Unsecured Notes. The Company had an aggregate of $3,200.0 million in senior unsecured notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) outstanding at March 31, 2020, consisting of five discrete private offerings presented in the table below:

		Principal Amount Outstanding at		Carrying Value at		Carrying Value at		Fair Value at		Fair Value at
	Maturity Date	March 31, 2020		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in thousands)
Long-term debt
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2024	November 15, 2024	$	-	$	-	$	297,835	$	-	$	309,225
5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025	August 15, 2025		800,000		794,325		794,063		836,568		840,872
4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	August 1, 2026		500,000		495,754		495,587		498,050		525,800
5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027	May 15, 2027		500,000		495,331		495,168		516,605		541,300
4.00% senior unsecured notes due 2029	November 15, 2029		1,000,000		989,546		989,273		994,180		1,018,820
3.625% senior unsecured notes due 2030	September 1, 2030		400,000		395,105		-		382,952		-
Total long-term debt		$	3,200,000	$	3,170,061	$	3,071,926	$	3,228,355	$	3,236,017

The fair market value of the Company’s debt obligations 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.

The $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (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.

The $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (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.  

The $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the “2027 Senior Notes”) are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on May 15, 2027. At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2027 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 2027 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after May 15, 2022, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2027 Senior Notes. At any time prior to May 15, 2021, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

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The $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”) are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on November 15, 2029. At any time prior to November 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2029 Senior Notes 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 2029 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after November 15, 2024, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2029 Senior Notes. At any time prior to November 15, 2022, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 104.000% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

On March 4, 2020, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2030 Senior Notes”) in a private offering that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2030 Senior Notes to redeem the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount that remained outstanding on its 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”). The early redemption of the 2024 Senior Notes resulted in a $10.0 million loss on debt extinguishment recorded in other expense (income), which included approximately $7.9 million of call premium paid in accordance with the redemption prices set forth in the indenture and the write-off of approximately $2.1 million unamortized costs associated with the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes.

The 2030 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on September 1, 2030. At any time prior to March 1, 2025, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2030 Senior Notes 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 2030 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after March 1, 2025, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Senior Notes. At any time prior to March 1, 2023, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 103.625% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

Interest payments attributable to the 2027 Senior Notes and 2029 Senior Notes are due on May 15th and November 15th of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2025 Senior Notes are due on February 15th and August 15th of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2026 Senior Notes are due on February 1st and August 1st of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2030 Senior Notes are due on March 1st and September 1st of each year, with the first payment occurring on September 1, 2020.

Revolver. On November 20, 2014, the Company entered into a $200.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The 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 “First Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The First 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. On May 15, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Second Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $250.0 million, (ii) extended the term to May 2023 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term and (iii) decreased the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments. On November 15, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Third Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Third Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $400.0 million, (ii) extended the term to November 2024 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term, (iii) decreased the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments and (iv) amended certain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s financial flexibility. As of March 31, 2020, $5.0 million was drawn and outstanding under the Third Amendment, which bears interest of LIBOR plus 1.50%, or a rate of 2.25%. The $5.0 million plus accrued interest was paid on April 20, 2020.

In connection with the closings of the Senior Notes offerings and entry into the Revolving Credit Agreement and the First, Second and Third Amendments, the Company paid certain financing fees which, together with the existing fees related to prior credit facilities are being amortized over their related lives. At March 31, 2020, $32.0 million of the deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $0.5 million of which is included in “Prepaid and other assets,” $1.6 million of which is included in “Other non-current assets” and $29.9 million of which is grouped and presented as part of “Long-term debt” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

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8. LEASES

The Company recognized a total of $9.0 million and $7.3 million of operating lease expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amounts associated with variable lease costs, short-term lease costs and sublease income were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020, the interest and other relevant line items in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition are as follows:

Maturity of Lease Liabilities	Operating
(in thousands)	Leases
Remainder of 2020	$	20,352
2021		28,000
2022		24,497
2023		23,479
2024		18,254
Thereafter		102,102
Total lease payments	$	216,684
Less: Interest		(33,313	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	183,371
Other accrued liabilities	$	21,821
Long-term operating lease liabilities	$	161,550

Lease term and discount rate for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
Lease Term and Discount Rate	2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)		12.92
Weighted-average discount rate		3.41	%

Other information for the Company’s operating leases in place for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
Other Information	March 31,
(in thousands)	2020
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	7,690
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease    liabilities	$	7,663

9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Return of capital.

On October 26, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $750.0 million worth of shares of the Company’s common stock (together with the amount then remaining under a previously existing share repurchase program, the “2016 Repurchase Program”).

On May 1, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $1,000.0 million worth of shares of the Company’s common stock in addition to the $523.1 million of authorization then remaining under the 2016 Repurchase Program (the “2018 Repurchase Program”).

On October 29, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $750.0 million worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock in addition to the $706.1 million of authorization remaining under the 2018 Repurchase Program (the “2019 Repurchase Program”) for a total of $1,456.1 million of stock repurchase authorization. Share repurchases made pursuant to the 2019 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 March 31, 2020, there was $1,130.4 million of available authorization remaining under the 2019 Repurchase Program.

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

Three Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
March 31, 2020	$	248.65		1,310	$	325,698
March 31, 2019	$	147.97		690	$	102,081

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		(Released)/Deferred
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020	$	0.68	$	59,233	$	59,455	$	(222	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	$	0.58	$	55,339	$	57,988	$	(2,649	)

Common Stock.

The following table presents activity related to shares of common stock issued and repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

	Common Stock		Treasury			Common Stock
	Issued		Stock			Outstanding
Balance at December 31, 2019		132,419,412		(47,624,482	)		84,794,930
Dividend payable/paid		259		(120	)		139
Common stock issued		377,843		—			377,843
Shares withheld for tax withholding		—		(153,923	)		(153,923	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(1,309,878	)		(1,309,878	)
Shares issued to directors		21		—			21
Balance at March 31, 2020		132,797,535		(49,088,403	)		83,709,132

10. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes was an expense of $14.7 million and a benefit of $49.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 9.0% and negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The effective tax rate of 9.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period which was impacted by certain favorable discrete items totaling $22.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, these discrete items primarily related to $18.9 million of excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation vested during the period and $2.6 million related to the tax impact of loss on debt extinguishment recognized during the period. Also included in the discrete items is a $0.8 million benefit related to the revaluation of the cost of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings.

The effective tax rate of negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period and was impacted by certain discrete items totaling $77.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, these discrete items primarily related to $66.6 million of excess tax benefits recognized upon vesting during the period of certain multi-year restricted stock units that were subject to the achievement of multi-year total shareholder return targets (performance targets subject to market conditions) granted in 2016 (“2016 Multi-Year PSUs”) and $9.8 million of excess tax benefits recognized on other share-based compensation vested during the period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, a number of countries enacted economic stimulus laws including the CARES Act in the U.S. The company has evaluated the laws that were passed during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and does not believe the laws have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate or cash flows. A number of the laws, however, have enabled the Company to defer certain eligible tax payments that would have fallen due in later quarters.

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The Company is under examination by the IRS and other tax authorities in certain jurisdictions, including foreign jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and 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 2006 through 2019. 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. Based on the current status of income tax audits, the total amount of unrecognized benefits may decrease by approximately $11.2 million in the next twelve months as a result of the resolution of tax examinations.

11. 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 its President and Chief Operating Officer, who are together 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, at times, certain other transactions or adjustments, including the impact related to the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs, 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.

Operating 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 based upon allocation methodologies, including time estimates, revenue, headcount, sales targets, data center consumption and other relevant usage measures. Due to the integrated structure of MSCI’s 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 revenues, 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 five operating segments: Index, Analytics, ESG, Real Estate and The Burgiss Group, LLC (“Burgiss”).

The Index operating segment is a provider of primarily equity indexes. The indexes are used in many areas of the investment process, including index-linked product creation (e.g., ETFs and futures and options), performance benchmarking, portfolio construction and rebalancing, broker-dealer structured products and asset allocation.

The Analytics operating segment offers risk management, performance attribution and portfolio management content, applications and services that provide clients with an integrated view of risk and return and an analysis of market, credit, liquidity and counterparty risk across all major asset classes, spanning short-, medium- and long-term time horizons. Clients access our Analytics content through MSCI’s own proprietary applications and application programming interfaces, third-party applications or directly through their own platforms. Additionally, the Analytics operating segment also provides various managed services to help clients operate more efficiently, including consolidation of client portfolio data from various sources, review and reconciliation of input data and results, and customized reporting.

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The ESG operating segment offers products and services that help institutional investors understand how ESG considerations can impact the long-term risk and return of their portfolio and individual security-level investments. In addition, MSCI ESG Research data and ratings are used in the construction of equity and fixed income indexes to help institutional investors more effectively benchmark ESG investment performance, issue index-based investment products, as well as manage, measure and report on ESG mandates.

The Real Estate operating segment offers research, reporting, market data and benchmarking offerings that provide real estate performance analysis for funds, investors and managers. Real Estate performance and risk analytics range from enterprise-wide to property-specific analysis. The Real Estate operating segment also provides business intelligence to real estate owners, managers, developers and brokers worldwide.

The Burgiss operating segment represents the Company’s equity method investment in Burgiss, a global provider of investment decision support tools for private capital. See Note 12, “Equity Method Investments,” for further information.

The operating segments of ESG, Real Estate and Burgiss do not individually meet the segment reporting thresholds and have been combined and presented as part of All Other for disclosure purposes. Burgiss is an equity-method investment, therefore, the All Other segment does not include the Company’s proportionate share of operating revenues and Adjusted EBITDA related to Burgiss.  The Company’s proportionate share of Burgiss’s equity earnings are not a component of Adjusted EBITDA as they are reported as a component of other (expense) income, net.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Index	$	249,256	$	214,773
Analytics		125,508		121,435
All Other		42,016		35,173
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	183,586	$	152,211
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		36,318		36,398
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		9,323		9,098
Total operating segment profitability		229,227		197,707
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		—		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850
Operating income		207,884		162,675
Other expense (income), net		45,035		34,383
Provision for income taxes		14,724		(49,900	)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192

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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
	March 31,
		2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Americas:
United States	$	181,046	$	166,186
Other		17,756		15,983
Total Americas		198,802		182,169
Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		65,061		55,207
Other		87,929		76,635
Total EMEA		152,990		131,842
Asia & Australia:
Japan		19,392		17,948
Other		45,596		39,422
Total Asia & Australia		64,988		57,370
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

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
	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets
Americas:
United States	$	1,772,604	$	1,781,667
Other		5,065		6,398
Total Americas		1,777,669		1,788,065
EMEA:
United Kingdom		75,871		81,338
Other		36,116		36,433
Total EMEA		111,987		117,771
Asia & Australia:
Japan		363		398
Other		9,082		8,829
Total Asia & Australia		9,445		9,227
Total	$	1,899,101	$	1,915,063

12. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

In January 2020, MSCI entered into a strategic relationship with Burgiss, a global provider of investment decision support tools for private capital. The Company acquired a 40% non-controlling interest for $190.8 million, including capitalized costs, which is accounted for as an equity method investment with the Company’s share of Burgiss’ earnings being recognized in “Other expense (income), net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company is applying a policy election to recognize its share of Burgiss’ earnings on a three-month lag. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized any earnings or amortization related to its investment in Burgiss in the three months ended March 31, 2020. MSCI has also elected to apply the nature of the distribution approach to determine the classification of the distributions it receives from its equity method investees.

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The Company’s investment substantially exceeds the Company’s share of the underlying equity of Burgiss. A portion of this excess, representing the excess of the fair value of Burgiss’ intangible assets over their book value, will be amortized into “Other expense (income), net” over the useful lives of the respective intangible assets.

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2020 and through April 24, 2020, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $273.77 per share for a total value of $31.1 million.

On April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per share for the three months ending March 31, 2020. This dividend is payable on May 29, 2020 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on May 15, 2020.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”). This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those identified below and those discussed in “Item 1A.—Risk Factors,” in our Form 10-K.

Except as the context otherwise indicates, the terms “MSCI,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MSCI Inc., together with its subsidiaries.

Overview

We are a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community.  Leveraging our knowledge of the global investment process and our expertise in research, data and technology, our actionable solutions¹ power better investment decisions by enabling our clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently and efficiently build more effective portfolios.

Investors all over the world use our tools and services to gain insight and improve transparency throughout their investment processes, including to help define their investment universe, inform and analyze their asset allocation and portfolio construction decisions, measure and manage portfolio performance and risk, conduct performance attribution, implement sustainable and other investment strategies, design and issue ETFs and other index-enabled financial products, and facilitate reporting to stakeholders.  

Our industry-leading, research-enhanced products and services include indexes; portfolio construction and risk management analytics; ESG research and ratings; and real estate benchmarks, return-analytics and market insights.  Through our integrated franchise we provide solutions across our products and services to support our clients’ dynamic and complex needs.  We are flexible in the delivery of our content and capabilities, much of which can be accessed by our clients through multiple channels and platforms.  

We are focused on staying at the forefront of investment trends to address the evolving needs of our clients in a changing industry.  In order to most effectively serve our clients, we are committed to driving an integrated solutions-based approach, achieving service excellence, enhancing our differentiated research and content, and delivering flexible, cutting-edge technology and platforms.    

Our clients comprise a wide spectrum of the global investment industry and include the following key client types:

• Asset owners (pension funds, endowments, foundations, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and insurance companies)

• Asset managers (institutional funds and accounts, mutual funds, hedge funds, ETFs, insurance products, private banks and real estate investment trusts)

• Financial intermediaries (banks, broker-dealers, exchanges, custodians, trust companies and investment consultants)

• Wealth managers (including an increasing number of “robo-advisors”)

As of March 31, 2020, we served over 7,700 clients in more than 85 countries. To calculate the number of clients, we use the shipping address of the ultimate customer utilizing the product, which counts affiliates, user locations or business units within a single organization as separate clients. If we aggregate all related clients under their respective parent entity, the number of clients would be over 4,200, as of March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, we had offices in more than 30 cities across more than 20 countries to help serve our diverse client base, with 47.7% of our revenues coming from clients in the Americas, 36.7% in EMEA and 15.6% in Asia and Australia.

Our principal business model is generally to license annual, recurring subscriptions for the majority of our Index, Analytics and ESG products and services for a fee due in advance of the service period. We also license annual recurring subscriptions for the majority of our Real Estate products for a fee which is primarily paid in arrears after the product is delivered, with the exception of the Market Information product for which the fees are generally paid in advance. A portion of our fees comes from clients who use our indexes as the basis for index-linked investment products. Such fees are primarily based on a client’s assets under management (“AUM”), trading volumes and fee levels. 

¹  The term “solutions” as used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refers to the use of our products or services by our clients to help them achieve their objectives.

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In evaluating our financial performance, we focus on revenue and profit growth, including results accounted for under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) as well as non-GAAP measures, for the Company as a whole and by operating segment. In addition, we focus on operating metrics, including Run Rate, subscription sales and Retention Rate, to manage the business. Our business is not highly capital intensive and, as such, we expect to continue to convert a high percentage of our profits into excess cash in the future. Our growth strategy includes: (a) expanding leadership in research-enhanced content, (b) strengthening existing and new client relationships by providing solutions, (c) improving access to our solutions through cutting-edge technology and platforms, (d) expanding value-added service offerings and (e) executing strategic relationships and acquisitions with complementary content and technology companies.

In the discussion that follows, we provide certain variances excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations reflect the difference between the current period results as reported compared to the current period results recalculated using the foreign currency exchange rates in effect for the comparable prior period. While operating revenues adjusted for the impact of foreign currency fluctuations includes asset-based fees that have been adjusted for the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the underlying AUM, which is the primary component of asset-based fees, is not adjusted for foreign currency fluctuations. Approximately two-thirds of the AUM are invested in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, and accordingly, any such impact is excluded from the disclosed foreign currency-adjusted variances.

The discussion of our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are presented below. The results of operations for interim periods may not be indicative of future results.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

The following table presents the results of operations for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019			Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Operating revenues	$	416,780		$	371,381		$	45,399		12.2	%
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues		74,609			82,346			(7,737	)	(9.4	%)
Selling and marketing		55,549			56,048			(499	)	(0.9	%)
Research and development		26,562			23,172			3,390		14.6	%
General and administrative		30,833			27,497			3,336		12.1	%
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776			11,793			1,983		16.8	%
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567			7,850			(283	)	(3.6	%)
Total operating expenses		208,896			208,706			190		0.1	%
Operating income		207,884			162,675			45,209		27.8	%
Other expense (income), net		45,035			34,383			10,652		31.0	%
Income before provision for income taxes		162,849			128,292			34,557		26.9	%
Provision for income taxes		14,724			(49,900	)		64,624		129.5	%
Net income	$	148,125		$	178,192		$	(30,067	)	(16.9	%)
Earnings per basic common share	$	1.75		$	2.11		$	(0.36	)	(17.1	%)
Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.73		$	2.08		$	(0.35	)	(16.8	%)
Operating margin		49.9	%		43.8	%

Operating Revenues

Our revenues are grouped by the following types: recurring subscriptions, asset-based fees and non-recurring. We also group revenues by major product or reportable segment as follows: Index, Analytics and All Other, which includes the ESG and Real Estate product lines.

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The following table presents operating revenues by type for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019		Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Recurring subscriptions	$	304,425	$	282,364	$	22,061	7.8	%
Asset-based fees		100,196		81,808		18,388	22.5	%
Non-recurring		12,159		7,209		4,950	68.7	%
Total operating revenues	$	416,780	$	371,381	$	45,399	12.2	%

Total operating revenues grew 12.2% to $416.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $371.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, total operating revenues would have increased 12.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, growth in operating revenues from recurring subscriptions may moderate in the near term. In addition, the volatility in the global equity markets may adversely impact AUM levels which in turn may impact future operating revenues from asset-based fees.

Operating revenues from recurring subscriptions increased 7.8% to $304.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $282.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by growth across all operating segments. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, revenues from recurring subscriptions would have increased 8.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.  

Operating revenues from asset-based fees increased 22.5% to $100.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $81.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in asset-based fees was driven by strong growth across all types of index-linked investment products, including an increase in revenues from exchange traded futures and options contracts linked to MSCI indexes, primarily driven by an increase in total trading volumes. The increase in revenues from asset-based fees was also driven by higher revenues from non-ETF passive products linked to MSCI indexes, primarily driven by an increase in average AUM. In addition, the increase in revenues from asset-based fees was driven by revenue growth from ETFs linked to MSCI indexes, driven by a 14.5% increase in average AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes, partially offset by the impact of a change in product mix. Average AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was higher than AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes as of the period ended March 31, 2020 as a result of depressed AUM levels in the second half of the quarter, primarily due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global equity markets. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on revenues from asset-based fees was negligible.

The following table presents the value of AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes and the sequential change of such assets as of the end of each of the periods indicated:

	Period Ended
	2019									2020
(in billions)	March 31,		June 30,		September 30,			December 31,		March 31,
AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes(1), (2), (3)	$	802.2	$	819.3	$	815.0		$	934.4	$	709.5
Sequential Change in Value
Market Appreciation/(Depreciation)	$	78.3	$	14.9	$	(9.2	)	$	63.5	$	(216.5	)
Cash Inflows		28.3		2.2		4.9			55.9		(8.4	)
Total Change	$	106.6	$	17.1	$	(4.3	)	$	119.4	$	(224.9	)

The following table presents the average value of AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes for the periods indicated:

	Quarterly Average
	2019								2020
(in billions)	March		June		September		December		March
AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes(1), (2), (3)	$	766.0	$	811.4	$	810.9	$	869.1	$	877.1

⁽¹⁾ The historical values of the AUM in equity ETFs linked to our indexes as of the last day of the month and the monthly average balance can be found under the link “AUM in equity ETFs Linked to MSCI Indexes” on our Investor Relations homepage at http://ir.msci.com. This information is updated mid-month each month. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any other report filed with the SEC. The AUM in equity ETFs numbers also include AUM in Exchange Traded Notes, the value of which is less than 1.0% of the AUM amounts presented.

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⁽²⁾ The values for periods prior to April 26, 2019 were based on data from Bloomberg and MSCI, while the values for periods on or after April 26, 2019 were based on data from Refinitiv and MSCI. De minimis amounts of data are reported on a delayed basis.

⁽³⁾ The value of AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes is calculated by multiplying the equity ETFs net asset value by the number of shares outstanding.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the average value of AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes was $877.1 billion, up $111.1 billion, or 14.5%, from $766.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Non-recurring revenues increased 68.7% to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by growth in Index products, which increased $3.9 million, or 74.3%.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019		Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues:
Index
Recurring subscriptions	$	139,840	$	127,674	$	12,166	9.5	%
Asset-based fees		100,196		81,808		18,388	22.5	%
Non-recurring		9,220		5,291		3,929	74.3	%
Index total		249,256		214,773		34,483	16.1	%
Analytics
Recurring subscriptions		124,065		120,110		3,955	3.3	%
Non-recurring		1,443		1,325		118	8.9	%
Analytics total		125,508		121,435		4,073	3.4	%
All Other
Recurring subscriptions		40,520		34,580		5,940	17.2	%
Non-recurring		1,496		593		903	152.3	%
All Other total		42,016		35,173		6,843	19.5	%
Total operating revenues	$	416,780	$	371,381	$	45,399	12.2	%

Refer to the section titled "Segment Results" that follows for further discussion of segment revenues.

Operating Expenses

We group our operating expenses into the following activity categories:

• Cost of revenues;

• Selling and marketing;

• Research and development (“R&D”);

• General and administrative (“G&A”);

• Amortization of intangible assets; and

• Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements.

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Costs are assigned to these activity categories based on the nature of the expense or, when not directly attributable, an estimated allocation based on the type of effort involved.

The following table presents operating expenses by activity category for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019		Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	$	74,609	$	82,346	$	(7,737	)	(9.4	%)
Selling and marketing		55,549		56,048		(499	)	(0.9	%)
Research and development		26,562		23,172		3,390		14.6	%
General and administrative		30,833		27,497		3,336		12.1	%
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793		1,983		16.8	%
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850		(283	)	(3.6	%)
Total operating expenses	$	208,896	$	208,706	$	190		0.1	%

Total operating expenses increased 0.1% to $208.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $208.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, total operating expenses would have increased 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues expenses consist of costs related to the production and servicing of our products and services and primarily includes related information technology costs, including data center, platform and infrastructure costs; costs to acquire, produce and maintain market data information; costs of research to support and maintain existing products; costs of product management teams; costs of client service and consultant teams to support customer needs; as well as other support costs directly attributable to the cost of revenues including certain human resources, finance and legal costs. Cost of revenues decreased 9.4% to $74.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $82.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting decreases across the Analytics and Index reportable segments. The change was driven by the absence of $7.0 million of payroll tax expense associated with the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs recognized in 2019, and decreases in compensation and benefits costs, relating to lower incentive compensation and wages and salaries, partially offset by higher benefits costs and non-compensation costs, including information technology and market data costs.

Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expenses consist of costs associated with acquiring new clients or selling new products or product renewals to existing clients and primarily includes the costs of our sales and marketing teams, as well as costs incurred in other groups associated with acquiring new business, including product management, research, technology and sales operations. Selling and marketing expenses decreased 0.9% to $55.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $56.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting a decrease in the Index reportable segment. The change was driven by the absence of $4.5 million of payroll tax expense associated with the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs recognized in 2019, partially offset by increases in compensation and benefits costs, primarily relating to higher wages and salaries and benefits costs.

Research and Development

R&D expenses consist of costs to develop new or enhance existing products and costs to develop new or improved technology and service platforms for the delivery of our products and services and primarily include the costs of development, research, product management, project management and the technology support associated with these efforts. R&D expenses increased 14.6% to $26.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $23.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting higher investments across all three reportable segments. The change was driven by increases in compensation and benefits costs, including higher benefits, incentive compensation, severance, and wages and salaries, as well as increases in non-compensation costs, primarily due to higher professional fees and occupancy costs.

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General and Administrative

G&A expenses consist of costs primarily related to finance operations, human resources, office of the CEO, legal, corporate technology, corporate development and certain other administrative costs that are not directly attributed, but are instead allocated, to a product or service. G&A expenses increased 12.1% to $30.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $27.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting increases across all three reportable segments. The change was driven by increases in compensation and benefits costs, primarily relating to higher incentive compensation, benefits costs, and wages and salaries, partially offset by the absence of $3.5 million of payroll tax expense associated with the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs recognized in 2019.

The following table presents operating expenses using compensation and non-compensation categories, rather than using activity categories, for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019		Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Compensation and benefits	$	137,262	$	142,173	$	(4,911	)	(3.5	%)
Non-compensation expenses		50,291		46,890		3,401		7.3	%
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793		1,983		16.8	%
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850		(283	)	(3.6	%)
Total operating expenses	$	208,896	$	208,706	$	190		0.1	%

Compensation and benefits costs are our most significant expense and typically represent approximately 65% of operating expenses or more than 70% of Adjusted EBITDA expenses. The incentive compensation component of operating expenses is aligned to a number of financial and operating metrics. In the scenario that operating revenue growth and profitability moderates as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the incentive compensation component is expected to decrease. A significant portion of the non-compensation component of operating expenses is fixed in nature. However, the discretionary non-compensation component could be reduced in the near-term in the scenario that operating revenue growth moderates as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. We had 3,459 and 3,179 employees as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, reflecting an 8.8% growth in the number of employees. Continued growth of our emerging market centers around the world is an important factor in our ability to manage and control the growth of our compensation and benefit expenses. As of March 31, 2020, 63.3% of our employees were located in emerging market centers compared to 62.0% as of March 31, 2019.

Compensation and benefits costs decreased 3.5% to $137.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $142.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by the absence of $15.4 million of payroll tax expense associated with the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs recognized in 2019, partially offset by higher benefits costs, wages and salaries and incentive compensation.

Non-compensation expenses increased 7.3% to $50.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $46.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by higher professional fees, information technology costs, occupancy costs and bad debt expense, partially offset by lower travel and entertainment costs and transaction related costs.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets expense relates to definite-lived intangible assets arising from past acquisitions and internal capitalized software projects recognized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization of intangible assets expense increased 16.8% to $13.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by higher amortization of internally developed capitalized software.

Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements consists of expenses related to depreciating or amortizing the cost of furniture and fixtures, computer and related equipment and leasehold improvements over the estimated useful life of the assets. Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements of $7.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 remained consistent compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

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Other Expense (Income), Net

Other expense (income), net increased 31.0% to $45.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $34.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily driven by the $10.0 million loss on debt extinguishment associated with the redemption of the remaining $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes, which included approximately $7.9 million of call premium paid in accordance with the redemption prices set forth in the indenture in respect of the 2024 Senior Notes and the write-off of approximately $2.1 million of unamortized costs associated with the remaining 2024 Senior Notes. In addition, the increase reflects higher interest expense associated with higher outstanding debt during the three months ended March 31, 2020, partially offset by higher foreign currency exchange gains.

Given that we have elected a three-month reporting lag in recognizing our proportionate share of Burgiss’ earnings, we will start recognizing our proportionate share of Burgiss’ earnings, net of the amortization related to our investment in Burgiss in the three months ending June 30, 2020.

Income Taxes

The Company’s provision for income taxes was an expense of $14.7 million and a benefit of $49.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 9.0% and negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The effective tax rate of 9.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period which was impacted by certain favorable discrete items totaling $22.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, these discrete items primarily related to $18.9 million of excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation vested during the period and $2.6 million related to the tax impact of loss on debt extinguishment recognized during the period. Also included in the discrete items is a $0.8 million benefit related to the revaluation of the cost of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings.

The effective tax rate of negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflected the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period and was impacted by certain discrete items totaling $77.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, these discrete items primarily related to $66.6 million of excess tax benefits recognized upon vesting during the period of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs and $9.8 million of excess tax benefits on other share-based compensation vested during the period.

Net Income

As a result of the factors described above, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 decreased 16.9% to $148.1 million compared to $178.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Weighted Average Shares

The weighted average shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share remained consistent for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA

“Adjusted EBITDA,” a non-GAAP measure used by management to assess operating performance, is defined as net income before (1) provision for income taxes, (2) other expense (income), net, (3) depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, (4) amortization of intangible assets and, at times, (5) certain other transactions or adjustments, including the impact related to the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs.

“Adjusted EBITDA expenses,” a non-GAAP measure used by management to assess operating performance, is defined as operating expenses less depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements and amortization of intangible assets and, at times, certain other transactions or adjustments, including the impact related to the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA expenses are believed to be meaningful measures of the operating performance of the Company because they adjust for significant one-time, unusual or non-recurring items as well as eliminate the accounting effects of certain capital spending and acquisitions that do not directly affect what management considers to be the Company’s core operating performance in the period. All companies do not calculate adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA expenses in the same way. These measures can differ significantly from company to company depending on, among other things, long-term strategic decisions

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regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate and capital investments. Accordingly, the Company’s computation of the Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA expenses measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures computed by other companies.

The following table presents the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019			Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	416,780		$	371,381		$	45,399	12.2	%
Adjusted EBITDA expenses		187,553			173,674			13,879	8.0	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	229,227		$	197,707		$	31,520	15.9	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin %		55.0	%		53.2	%
Operating margin %		49.9	%		43.8	%

Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.9% to $229.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $197.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 55.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to 53.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA Expenses to Operating Expenses

The following table presents the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	183,587	$	152,211
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		36,317		36,398
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		9,323		9,098
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA		229,227		197,707
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		—		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850
Operating income		207,884		162,675
Other expense (income), net		45,035		34,383
Provision for income taxes		14,724		(49,900	)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192

The following table presents the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA expenses to operating expenses for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA expenses	$	65,669	$	62,562
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA expenses		89,191		85,037
All Other Adjusted EBITDA expenses		32,693		26,075
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA expenses		187,553		173,674
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		—		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850
Total operating expenses	$	208,896	$	208,706

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The discussion of the segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is presented below.

Segment Results

Index Segment

The following table presents the results for the Index segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019			Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues:
Recurring subscriptions	$	139,840		$	127,674		$	12,166	9.5	%
Asset-based fees		100,196			81,808			18,388	22.5	%
Non-recurring		9,220			5,291			3,929	74.3	%
Operating revenues total		249,256			214,773			34,483	16.1	%
Adjusted EBITDA expenses		65,669			62,562			3,107	5.0	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	183,587		$	152,211		$	31,376	20.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin %		73.7	%		70.9	%

Revenues related to Index products increased 16.1% to $249.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $214.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Recurring subscriptions were up 9.5% to $139.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $127.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily driven by growth in custom and specialized index products, core products and factor and ESG index products. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on revenues from recurring subscriptions was negligible.

Revenues from asset-based fees increased 22.5% to $100.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $81.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in asset-based fees was driven by strong growth across all types of index-linked investment products, including an increase in revenues from exchange traded futures and options contracts linked to MSCI indexes, primarily driven by an increase in total trading volumes. The increase in revenues from asset-based fees was also driven by higher revenues from non-ETF passive products linked to MSCI indexes, primarily driven by an increase in average AUM. In addition, the increase in revenues from asset-based fees was driven by revenue growth from ETFs linked to MSCI indexes, driven by a 14.5% increase in average AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes, partially offset by the impact of a change in product mix. Average AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was higher than AUM for equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes as of the period ended March 31, 2020 as a result of depressed AUM levels in the second half of the quarter, primarily due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global equity markets. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on revenues from asset-based fees was negligible.

Non-recurring revenues were up 74.3% to $9.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, driven by derivatives and structured products.

Index segment Adjusted EBITDA expenses increased 5.0% to $65.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $62.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, reflecting higher expenses across the G&A and R&D expense activity categories, partially offset by lower expenses across the selling and marketing expense activity category. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Adjusted EBITDA expenses would have increased 6.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

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Analytics Segment

The following table presents the results for the Analytics segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019			Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues:
Recurring subscriptions	$	124,065		$	120,110		$	3,955		3.3	%
Non-recurring		1,443			1,325			118		8.9	%
Operating revenues total		125,508			121,435			4,073		3.4	%
Adjusted EBITDA expenses		89,191			85,037			4,154		4.9	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	36,317		$	36,398		$	(81	)	(0.2	%)
Adjusted EBITDA margin %		28.9	%		30.0	%

Analytics segment revenues increased 3.4% to $125.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $121.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily driven by growth in Multi-Asset Class Analytics products. The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on Analytics segment revenues was negligible.

Analytics segment Adjusted EBITDA expenses increased 4.9% to $89.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $85.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily driven by higher expenses across the selling and marketing and G&A expense activity categories, partially offset by lower expenses across the cost of revenues expense activity category. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Adjusted EBITDA expenses would have increased 6.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

All Other Segment

The following table presents the results for the All Other segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020			2019			Increase/(Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues:
Recurring subscriptions	$	40,520		$	34,580		$	5,940	17.2	%
Non-recurring		1,496			593			903	152.3	%
Operating revenues total		42,016			35,173			6,843	19.5	%
Adjusted EBITDA expenses		32,693			26,075			6,618	25.4	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	9,323		$	9,098		$	225	2.5	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin %		22.2	%		25.9	%

All Other segment revenues increased 19.5% to $42.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $35.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in All Other revenues was driven by a $3.7 million, or 17.1%, increase in ESG revenues to $25.2 million and a $3.1 million, or 23.2%, increase in Real Estate revenues to $16.8 million. The increase in ESG revenues was driven primarily by growth in the Ratings and Climate products. The increase in Real Estate revenues was primarily driven by strong growth in Enterprise Analytics products and a one-time data license fee recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, All Other operating revenues would have increased 21.3%, ESG revenues would have increased 18.2% and Real Estate revenues would have increased 26.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

All Other segment Adjusted EBITDA expenses increased 25.4% to $32.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $26.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, driven by higher expenses primarily from ESG operations, including expenses associated with Carbon Delta operations. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Adjusted EBITDA expenses would have increased 26.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The All Other segment includes MSCI’s equity method investment in Burgiss, the earnings of which are not included in Adjusted EBITDA, MSCI’s measure of segment profit. Income from the equity method investments will be recognized in “Other expense (income), net” in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

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Run Rate

“Run Rate” estimates at a particular point in time the annualized value of the recurring revenues under our client license agreements (“Client Contracts”) for the next 12 months, assuming all Client Contracts that come up for renewal are renewed and assuming then-current currency exchange rates, subject to the adjustments and exclusions described below.  For any Client Contract where fees are linked to an investment product’s assets or trading volume/fees, the Run Rate calculation reflects, for ETFs, the market value on the last trading day of the period, for futures and options, the most recent quarterly volumes and/or reported exchange fees, and for other non-ETF products, the most recent client-reported assets. Run Rate does not include fees associated with “one-time” and other non-recurring transactions.  In addition, we add to Run Rate the annualized fee value of recurring new sales, whether to existing or new clients, when we execute Client Contracts, even though the license start date, and associated revenue recognition, may not be effective until a later date.  We remove from Run Rate the annualized fee value associated with products or services under any Client Contract with respect to which we have received a notice of termination or non-renewal during the period and have determined that such notice evidences the client’s final decision to terminate or not renew the applicable products or services, even though such notice is not effective until a later date.

Changes in our recurring revenues typically lag changes in Run Rate. The actual amount of recurring revenues we will realize over the following 12 months will differ from Run Rate for numerous reasons, including:

• fluctuations in revenues associated with new recurring sales;

• modifications, cancellations and non-renewals of existing Client Contracts, subject to specified notice requirements;

• differences between the recurring license start date and the date the Client Contract is executed due to, for example, contracts with onboarding periods;

• fluctuations in asset-based fees, which may result from changes in certain investment products’ total expense ratios, market movements, including foreign currency exchange rates, or from investment inflows into and outflows from investment products linked to our indexes;

• fluctuations in fees based on trading volumes of futures and options contracts linked to our indexes;

• fluctuations in the number of hedge funds for which we provide investment information and risk analysis to hedge fund investors;

• price changes;

• revenue recognition differences under U.S. GAAP, including those related to the timing of implementation and report deliveries for certain of our products and services;

• fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and

• the impact of acquisitions and divestitures.

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The following table presents the Run Rates as of the dates indicated and the growth percentages over the periods indicated:

	As of				Year-Over-
	March 31,		March 31,		Year
		2020		2019	Comparison
	(in thousands)
Index:
Recurring subscriptions	$	574,132	$	515,667		11.3	%
Asset-based fees		348,218		335,261		3.9	%
Index total		922,350		850,928		8.4	%
Analytics		528,378		496,183		6.5	%
All Other		153,452		130,979		17.2	%
Total Run Rate	$	1,604,180	$	1,478,090		8.5	%
Recurring subscriptions total	$	1,255,962	$	1,142,829		9.9	%
Asset-based fees		348,218		335,261		3.9	%
Total Run Rate	$	1,604,180	$	1,478,090		8.5	%

Total Run Rate grew 8.5% to $1,604.2 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $1,478.1 million at March 31, 2019. Recurring subscriptions Run Rate grew 9.9% to $1,256.0 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $1,142.8 million at March 31, 2019. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, recurring subscriptions Run Rate would have increased 10.2% at March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Run Rate from asset-based fees increased 3.9% to $348.2 million at March 31, 2020 from $335.3 million at March 31, 2019, primarily driven by higher volume in futures and options as well as higher non-ETF passive funds also linked to MSCI indexes, partially offset by lower AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI indexes. As of March 31, 2020, the value of AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes was $709.5 billion, down $92.7 billion, or 11.6%, from $802.2 billion as of March 31, 2019. The decrease of $92.7 billion consisted of market depreciation of $147.3 billion and net inflows of $54.6 billion. In addition to the decrease in AUM in equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes, change in product mix as well as fee levels of certain products drove a decline in average basis point fees to 2.71 at March 31, 2020 from 2.88 at March 31, 2019.  

Index recurring subscriptions Run Rate grew 11.3% to $574.1 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $515.7 million at March 31, 2019, driven by strong growth in core products, factor and ESG index products and custom and specialized index products, with strong growth across all our client segments.

Run Rate from Analytics products increased 6.5% to $528.4 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $496.2 million at March 31, 2019, primarily driven by strong growth in Multi-Asset Class and Equity Analytics products. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, Analytics Run Rate would have increased 6.6% at March 31, 2020.

Run Rate from All Other products increased 17.2% to $153.5 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $131.0 million at March 31, 2019. The $22.5 million increase was primarily driven by a $19.8 million, or 23.5%, increase in ESG Run Rate to $103.8 million, and a $2.7 million, or 5.8%, increase in Real Estate Run Rate to $49.7 million. The increase in ESG Run Rate was primarily driven by growth in Ratings products, Climate products and Screening products. The increase in Real Estate Run Rate was primarily driven by growth in Global Intel products. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, All Other Run Rate would have increased 19.2% and ESG Run Rate would have increased 24.6%, while Real Estate Run Rate would have increased 9.4% at March 31, 2020 compared to March 31, 2019.

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Sales

Sales represents the annualized value of products and services clients commit to purchase from MSCI and will result in additional operating revenues. Non-recurring sales represent the actual value of the customer agreements entered into during the period and are not a component of Run Rate. New recurring subscription sales represent additional selling activities, such as new customer agreements, additions to existing agreements or increases in price that occurred during the period and are additions to Run Rate. Subscription cancellations reflect client activities during the period, such as discontinuing products and services and/or reductions in price, resulting in reductions to Run Rate. Net new recurring subscription sales represent the amount of new recurring subscription sales net of subscription cancellations during the period, which reflects the net impact to Run Rate during the period.  

Total gross sales represent the sum of new recurring subscription sales and non-recurring sales. Total net sales represent the total gross sales net of the impact from subscription cancellations.  

The following table presents our recurring subscription sales, cancellations and non-recurring sales by reportable segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended						Year-Over-
	March 31,			March 31,			Year
	2020			2019			Comparison
	(in thousands)
New recurring subscription sales
Index	$	19,054		$	17,329			10.0	%
Analytics		11,218			12,751			(12.0	%)
All Other		8,169			7,215			13.2	%
New recurring subscription sales total		38,441			37,295			3.1	%
Subscription cancellations
Index		(5,116	)		(4,366	)		17.2	%
Analytics		(8,244	)		(7,764	)		6.2	%
All Other		(2,053	)		(1,275	)		61.0	%
Subscription cancellations total		(15,413	)		(13,405	)		15.0	%
Net new recurring subscription sales
Index		13,938			12,963			7.5	%
Analytics		2,974			4,987			(40.4	%)
All Other		6,116			5,940			3.0	%
Net new recurring subscription sales total		23,028			23,890			(3.6	%)
Non-recurring sales
Index		10,283			5,081			102.4	%
Analytics		3,265			2,577			26.7	%
All Other		1,031			454			127.1	%
Non-recurring sales total		14,579			8,112			79.7	%
Gross sales
Index	$	29,337		$	22,410			30.9	%
Analytics		14,483			15,328			(5.5	%)
All Other		9,200			7,669			20.0	%
Total gross sales	$	53,020		$	45,407			16.8	%
Net sales
Index	$	24,221		$	18,044			34.2	%
Analytics		6,239			7,564			(17.5	%)
All Other		7,147			6,394			11.8	%
Total net sales	$	37,607		$	32,002			17.5	%

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A significant portion of MSCI's operating revenues are derived from subscriptions or licenses of products and services, which are provided over contractually-agreed periods of time that are subject to renewal or cancellation at the end of current contract terms.  As of March 31, 2020, cancellations have not deviated significantly from historical levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, new sales may moderate and cancellations may increase in the near term.

Retention Rate

The following table presents our Retention Rate by reportable segment for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
		2020		2019
Index	96.3%		96.5%
Analytics	93.7%		93.7%
All Other	94.6%		95.9%
Total	95.0%		95.2%

Retention Rate is an important metric because subscription cancellations decrease our Run Rate and ultimately our operating revenues over time. The annual Retention Rate represents the retained subscription Run Rate (subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the fiscal year less actual cancels during the year) as a percentage of the subscription Run Rate at the beginning of the fiscal year.

The Retention Rate for a non-annual period is calculated by annualizing the cancellations for which we have received a notice of termination or for which we believe there is an intention not to renew during the non-annual period, and we believe that such notice or intention evidences the client’s final decision to terminate or not renew the applicable 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 fiscal year to calculate a cancellation rate. This cancellation rate is then subtracted from 100% to derive the annualized Retention Rate for the period.

Retention Rate is computed by operating segment on a product/service-by-product/service basis. In general, if a client reduces the number of products or services to which it subscribes within a segment, or switches between products or services within a segment, we treat it as a cancellation for purposes of calculating our Retention Rate except in the case of a product or service switch that management considers to be a replacement product or service. In those replacement cases, only the net change to the client subscription, if a decrease, is reported as a cancel.  In the Analytics and the ESG segments, substantially all product or service switches are treated as replacement products or services and netted in this manner, while in our Index and Real Estate segments, product or service switches that are treated as replacement products or services and receive netting treatment occur only in certain limited instances. In addition, we treat any reduction in fees resulting from a down-sale of the same product or service as a cancellation to the extent of the reduction. We do not calculate Retention Rate for that portion of our Run Rate attributable to assets in index-linked investment products or futures and options contracts, in each case, linked to our indexes.

In our product lines, Retention Rate is generally higher during the first three quarters and lower in the fourth quarter, as the fourth quarter is traditionally the largest renewal period in the year.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 1, “Introduction and Basis of Presentation,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K and also in Note 2, “Recent Accounting Standards Updates,” in the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. There have been no significant changes in our accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 other than those described in Note 2, “Recent Accounting Standards Updates” in the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We require capital to fund ongoing operations, internal growth initiatives and acquisitions. Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from our operations, existing cash and cash equivalents and credit capacity under our existing credit facility. In addition, we believe we have access to additional funding in the public and private markets. We intend to use these sources of liquidity to, among other things, service our existing and future debt obligations, fund our working capital requirements for capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions and dividend payments, and repurchases of our common stock. In connection with our business strategy, we regularly evaluate acquisition and strategic partnership opportunities. We believe our liquidity, along with other financing alternatives, will provide the necessary capital to fund these transactions and achieve our planned growth.

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Senior Notes and Credit Agreement

We have an aggregate of $3,200.0 million in Senior Notes outstanding and a $400.0 million Revolving Credit Agreement with a syndicate of banks. See Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information on our Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Senior Notes and the Revolving Credit Agreement are fully and unconditionally, and jointly and severally, guaranteed by our direct or indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries that account for more than 5% of our and our subsidiaries’ consolidated assets, other than certain excluded subsidiaries (the “subsidiary guarantors”). Amounts due under the Revolving Credit Agreement are our and the subsidiary guarantors’ senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with the Senior Notes and any of our other unsecured, unsubordinated debt, senior to any of our subordinated debt and effectively subordinated to our secured debt to the extent of the assets securing such debt.

The indentures governing our Senior Notes (the “Indentures”) among us, each of the subsidiary guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, contain covenants that limit our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur liens, enter into sale/leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, the Indentures restrict our non-guarantor subsidiaries’ ability to create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness without such non-guarantor subsidiaries guaranteeing the Senior Notes on a pari passu basis.

The Revolving Credit Agreement contains affirmative and restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our existing or future subsidiaries to:

• incur liens and further negative pledges;

• incur additional indebtedness or prepay, redeem or repurchase indebtedness;

• make loans or hold investments;

• merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another person;

• enter into acquisition transactions;

• enter into sale/leaseback transactions;

• issue disqualified capital stock;

• sell, transfer or dispose of assets;

• pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of our capital stock or engage in stock repurchases, redemptions and other restricted payments;

• create new subsidiaries;

• permit certain restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;

• change the nature of our business, accounting policies or fiscal periods;

• enter into any transactions with affiliates other than on an arm’s-length basis; and

• amend our organizational documents or amend, modify or change the terms of certain agreements relating to our indebtedness.

The Revolving Credit Agreement and the Indentures also contain customary events of default, including those relating to non-payment, breach of representations, warranties or covenants, cross-default and cross-acceleration, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of loan documentation or collateral, change of control and customary ERISA defaults. None of the restrictions above are expected to impact our ability to effectively operate the business.

The Revolving Credit Agreement also requires us and our subsidiaries to achieve financial and operating results sufficient to maintain compliance with the following financial ratios on a consolidated basis through the termination of the Revolving Credit Agreement: (1) the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) measured quarterly on a rolling four-quarter basis shall not exceed 4.25:1.00 and (2) the minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) measured quarterly on a rolling four-quarter basis shall be at least 4.00:1.00. As of March 31, 2020, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 3.29:1.00 and our Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio was 6.43:1.00. As of March 31, 2020, $5.0 million was drawn and outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement, which bears interest of LIBOR plus 1.50%, or a rate of 2.25%. The $5.0 million plus accrued interest was paid on April 20, 2020.

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Our non-guarantor subsidiaries under the Senior Notes consist of: (i) domestic subsidiaries of the Company that account for 5% or less of consolidated assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and (ii) any foreign or domestic subsidiary of the Company that is deemed to be a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Our non-guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately $913.3 million, or 57.0%, of our total revenue for the trailing 12 months ended March 31, 2020, approximately $298.2 million, or 37.2%, of our consolidated operating income for the trailing 12 months ended March 31, 2020, and approximately $874.5 million, or 22.3%, of our consolidated total assets (excluding intercompany assets) and $583.6 million, or 13.7%, of our consolidated total liabilities, in each case as of March 31, 2020.

Share Repurchases

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

Three Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
March 31, 2020	$	248.65		1,310	$	325,698
March 31, 2019	$	147.97		690	$	102,081

As of March 31, 2020, there was $1,130.4 million of available authorization remaining under the 2019 Repurchase Program.

Cash Dividend

On April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per share for the three months ending March 31, 2020. This dividend is payable on May 29, 2020 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on May 15, 2020.

Cash Flows

	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
		2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,066,856	$	1,506,567

Cash and cash equivalents were $1,066.9 million and $1,506.6 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We typically seek to maintain minimum cash balances globally of approximately $200.0 million to $250.0 million for general operating purposes but may maintain higher minimum cash balances while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact global economic markets. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $290.0 million and $321.2 million, respectively, of the cash and cash equivalents were held by foreign subsidiaries. As a result of Tax Reform, we can now more efficiently access a significant portion of our cash held outside of the U.S. in the short-term without being subject to U.S. income taxes. Repatriation of some foreign cash may still be subject to certain withholding taxes in local jurisdictions and other distribution restrictions. The global cash and cash equivalent balances that are maintained will be available to meet our global needs whether for general corporate purposes or other needs, including acquisitions or expansion of our products.

We believe that global cash flows from operations, together with existing cash and cash equivalents and funds available under our existing credit facility and our ability to access the debt and capital markets for additional funds, will continue to be sufficient to fund our global operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities, such as material capital expenditures and share repurchases, for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. In addition, we expect that foreign cash flows from operations, together with existing cash and cash equivalents will continue to be sufficient to fund our foreign operating activities and cash commitments for investing activities, such as material capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter.

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Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
		2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	112,770		$	87,875
Net cash used in investing activities		(201,638	)		(8,136	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(340,081	)		(341,635	)
Effect of exchange rate changes		(10,762	)		501
Net decrease in cash	$	(439,711	)	$	(261,395	)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities consist of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in assets and liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities was $112.8 million and $87.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by higher cash collections from customers and the benefit of lower payments for income taxes, partially offset by higher payments for cash expenses and interest.

Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are for the payment of cash compensation expenses, office rent, technology costs, market data costs, interest expenses and income taxes. Historically, the payment of cash for compensation and benefits is at its highest level in the first quarter when we pay discretionary employee compensation related to the previous fiscal year.

Cash flows from operating activities for the year ending December 31, 2020 are expected to decrease from those for the year ended December 31, 2019, in part, from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $201.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The year-over-year change was primarily driven by the $190.8 million investment in Burgiss.

We expect to continue to invest in the business despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with cash flows for capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2020 expected to increase from the year ended December 31, 2019.

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $340.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $341.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The year-over-year change primarily reflects proceeds from the $400.0 million 2030 Senior Notes offering in February 2020, partially offset by the payment to redeem the remaining $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes and higher share repurchases.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Foreign Currency Risk

We are subject to foreign currency exchange fluctuation risk. Exchange rate movements can impact the U.S. dollar-reported value of our revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies or where the currency of such items is different than the functional currency of the entity where these items were recorded.

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We generally invoice our clients in U.S. dollars; however, we invoice a portion of our clients in Euros, British pounds sterling, Japanese yen and a limited number of other non-U.S. dollar currencies. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, 14.0% and 13.7%, respectively, of our revenues are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk and primarily includes clients billed in foreign currency as well as U.S. dollar exposures on non-U.S. dollar foreign operating entities. Of the 14.0% of non-U.S. dollar exposure for the three months ended March 31, 2020, 38.9% was in Euros, 26.6% was in Japanese yen and 23.3% was in British pounds sterling. Of the 13.7% of non-U.S. dollar exposure for the three months ended March 31, 2019, 40.0% was in Euros, 27.2% was in Japanese yen and 20.2% was in British pounds sterling.

Revenues from index-linked investment products represented 24.0% and 22.0% of operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. While a substantial portion of our fees for index-linked investment products are invoiced in U.S. dollars, the fees are based on the investment product’s assets, of which approximately two-thirds are invested in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, declines in such other currencies against the U.S. dollar will decrease the fees payable to us under such licenses. In addition, declines in such currencies against the U.S. dollar could impact the attractiveness of such investment products resulting in net fund outflows, which would further reduce the fees payable under such licenses.

We are exposed to additional foreign currency risk in certain of our operating costs. Approximately 41.3% and 41.8% of our operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were denominated in foreign currencies, the significant majority of which were denominated in British pounds sterling, Indian rupees, Hungarian forints, Euros, Hong Kong dollars, Swiss francs, and Mexican pesos. Expenses incurred in foreign currency may increase as we expand our business outside the U.S.

We have certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than local functional amounts and when these balances are remeasured into their local functional currency, either a gain or a loss results from the change of the value of the functional currency as compared to the originating currencies. We manage foreign currency exchange rate risk, in part, through the use of derivative financial instruments comprised principally of forward contracts on foreign currency which are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. The objective of the derivative instruments is to minimize the impact on the income statement of the volatility of amounts denominated in certain foreign currencies. We recognized total foreign currency exchange gains of $1.9 million and losses of $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”), as of March 31, 2020, and have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

40

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item  1. Legal Proceedings

Various lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against the Company in the ordinary course of business. While the amounts claimed could be substantial, the ultimate liability cannot now be determined because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Therefore, it is possible that MSCI’s business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows in a particular period could be materially affected by certain contingencies. However, based on facts currently available, management believes that the disposition of matters that are currently pending or asserted will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on MSCI’s business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Item  1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors presented below supplement, update, supersede and/or replace, as appropriate, the risk factors found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (“2019 Annual Report”).

The COVID-19 pandemic, or other widespread health crises, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic disruption, including volatility in the global equity markets. Due to ongoing uncertainty related to the duration, magnitude and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on our business are uncertain and difficult to predict, but may include:

• significant failures, errors, delays, disruptions or instability affecting our key products or services, vendors, suppliers, distributors, information technology platforms, data centers, production and delivery systems, applications or processes, including those that negatively affect our ability to calculate, process or distribute our products or service our clients effectively;

• adverse equity market conditions, volatility in the financial markets and unforeseen investment trends resulting in a reduction in our asset-based fees, increased cancellations and reduced demand for our products and services;

• prolonged selling cycles and increased pressures to reduce our fees on account of heightened financial and budgetary pressures affecting our clients;

• an inability to sustain revenue growth through obtaining new clients and achieving and maintaining a high level of renewal rates with respect to our existing clients;

• delays in our ability to collect on our accounts receivables;

• higher than expected operating costs resulting from efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

• a deterioration of worldwide credit and financial markets that could limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures; and

• increased strain on our workforce, management and other resources, including employee absenteeism and illness of key personnel.

These effects, alone or taken together, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. If the COVID-19 pandemic is sustained or prolonged, these effects could be exacerbated. For a discussion of the risk factors affecting the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2019 Annual Report. Many of these risk factors may be exacerbated by global widespread health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, including risks related to our dependence on third party data, client fee pressure, cancellations and reductions in services, technology instability and failure, lower growth and profitability rates, changes in investment practices and trends, and our ability to remain competitive.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

There have been no unregistered sales of equity securities.

The table below presents information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company of its common shares during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

41

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(2)
January 1, 2020-January 31, 2020		900	$	268.85		—	$	1,456,072,000
February 1, 2020-February 29, 2020		149,419	$	307.04		—	$	1,456,072,000
March 1, 2020-March 31, 2020		1,313,482	$	248.79		1,309,878	$	1,130,387,000
Total		1,463,801	$	254.74		1,309,878	$	1,130,387,000

⁽¹⁾ Includes (i) shares purchased by the Company on the open market under the 2019 Repurchase Program; (ii) shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations on behalf of employees that occur upon vesting and delivery of outstanding shares underlying restricted stock units; (iii) shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations and exercise price on behalf of employees that occur upon exercise and delivery of outstanding shares underlying stock options; and (iv) shares held in treasury under the MSCI Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan. The value of shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations was determined using the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of withholding, using a valuation methodology established by the Company.

⁽²⁾ See Note 9, “Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)” of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for further information regarding our stock repurchase programs.

Item  3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item  4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item  5. Other Information

None.

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Item  6. Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX

	Exhibit Number	Description
	3.1	Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33812), filed with the SEC on May 4, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein)
	3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q (File No. 001-33812), filed with the SEC on May 4, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein)
	4.1	Indenture, dated as of March 4, 2020, among MSCI Inc., each of the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-33812), filed with the SEC on March 4, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein)
	4.2	Form of Note for MSCI Inc. 3.625% Senior Notes due September 1, 2030 (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-33812), filed with the SEC on March 4, 2020 and incorporated by reference herein)
*†	10.1	Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units for Directors Under the MSCI Inc. 2016 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Program
	11	Statement Re: Computation of Earnings Per Common Share (The calculation of per share earnings is in Part I, Item 1, Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Earnings Per Common Share) and is omitted in accordance with Section (b)(11) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K)
*	31.1	Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
*	31.2	Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
**	32.1	Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer
*	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
*	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*	101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
*	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*	104.DEF	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
*	Filed herewith.
**	Furnished herewith.
†	Indicates a management compensation plan, contract or arrangement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: April 29, 2020

MSCI INC. (Registrant)
By:	/s/ Linda S. Huber
	Linda S. Huber Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

20[•] AWARD AGREEMENT
FOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
FOR DIRECTORS
UNDER THE MSCI INC. 2016 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS COMPENSATION PLAN

MSCI Inc. (“MSCI,” together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) hereby grants to you Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) as described below.  The awards are being granted under the MSCI Inc. 2016 Non-Employee Directors Compensation Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”).

Participant:	[NAME]
Number of RSUs Granted:	[#] RSUs
Grant Date:	[•] (the “Grant Date”)
Vesting Schedule:	[•] (such date, the “Vesting Date”).

Provided you continue to provide services to the Company through the Vesting Date, the RSUs will vest and convert as provided above and as further described in Exhibit A attached hereto.  Your RSUs may be subject to forfeiture if you terminate service with the Company before the Vesting Date, as set forth in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (including Exhibit A and Exhibit B attached hereto, this “Award Agreement”).

You agree that this Award Agreement is granted under the Plan and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and Exhibit A and Exhibit B attached hereto.  You will be able to access a prospectus and tax supplement that contains important information about this award via the MSCI website or your brokerage account.  Unless defined in this Award Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSCI has duly executed and delivered this Award Agreement as of the Grant Date.

MSCI Inc.
Name:	Scott Crum
Title:	Chief Human Resources Officer

EXHIBIT A

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF THE 20[•] RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Section 1.RSUs Generally.  MSCI has awarded you RSUs as an incentive for you to continue to provide services as a director of MSCI and to, among other things, align your interests with those of the Company and to reward you for your continued service as a director of MSCI in the future.  As such, you will earn your RSUs for 20[•] only if you remain in continuous service as a director of MSCI through the Vesting Date, or as otherwise set forth below.  Each RSU corresponds to one share of MSCI common stock, par value $0.01 per share (each, a “Share”).  Each RSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by MSCI to deliver one Share on the conversion date for such RSU.  As the holder of RSUs, you have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of MSCI. To the extent that you are subject to taxation in the United States, Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), imposes rules relating to the taxation of deferred compensation, including your 20[•] RSU award.  The Company reserves the right to modify the terms of your 20[•] RSU award, including, without limitation, the payment provisions applicable to your RSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A.

Section 2.Vesting Schedule and Conversion.

(a)Vesting Schedule.  Your RSUs will vest on the Vesting Date; provided that, subject to Section 4 and Section 5, you continue to provide future services to the Company by remaining in continuous service as a director of MSCI through the Vesting Date.

(b)Conversion.

(i)Except as otherwise provided in this Award Agreement or pursuant to any election form submitted in connection with the MSCI Inc. Non-Employee Directors Deferral Plan (as amended), each of your vested RSUs will convert to one Share within 30 days following the Vesting Date.

(ii)Shares to which you are entitled to receive upon conversion of RSUs under any provision of this Award Agreement shall not be subject to any transfer restrictions, other than those that may arise under securities laws or the Company’s policies.

Section 3.Dividend Equivalent Payments.  Until your RSUs convert to Shares, if and when MSCI pays a dividend on Shares, you will be entitled to a dividend equivalent payment in the same amount as the dividend you would have received if you held Shares for your vested and unvested RSUs immediately prior to the record date.  No dividend equivalents will be paid to you with respect to any canceled or forfeited RSUs.  MSCI will decide on the form of payment and may pay dividend equivalents in Shares, in cash or in a combination thereof, unless otherwise provided in Exhibit B.  MSCI will pay the dividend equivalent when it pays the corresponding dividend on its common stock.  The gross amount of any dividend equivalents paid to you with respect to RSUs that do not vest and convert to Shares shall be subject to potential recoupment or payback (such recoupment or payback of dividend equivalents, the “Clawback”) following the cancellation or forfeiture of the underlying RSUs.  You consent to the Company’s implementation and enforcement of the Clawback and expressly agree that MSCI may take such actions as are necessary to effectuate the Clawback consistent with applicable law.  If, within a reasonable period, you do not tender repayment of the dividend equivalents in response to demand for repayment, MSCI may seek a court order against you or take any other actions as are necessary to effectuate the Clawback.

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Section 4.Termination of Service. Upon termination of service as a director of MSCI prior to the Vesting Date, pursuant to this Section 4, the following special vesting and payment terms will apply to your RSUs:

(a)Termination of Service Due to Death or Disability.  If your service as a director of MSCI terminates due to death or Disability, your unvested RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares on the date your service as a director of MSCI terminates or within 30 days thereafter.  Such Shares will be delivered to the beneficiary(ies) you have designated pursuant to Section 7 or the legal representative of your estate, as applicable. For purposes of this Award Agreement, “Disability” means your “permanent and total disability” (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Code).

(b)Termination of Service and Cancellation of Awards.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, your unvested RSUs will be canceled and forfeited in full if your service as a director of MSCI terminates prior to the Vesting Date for any reason other than as set forth in Section 4 and Section 5 of this Award Agreement.

Section 5.Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Control, all of your RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares effective on the date of such Change in Control.

Section 6.Nontransferability.  You may not sell, pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise transfer your RSUs, other than as provided in Section 7 (which allows you to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of your death) or by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise as provided by the Board.  This prohibition includes any assignment or other transfer that purports to occur by operation of law or otherwise.  During your lifetime, payments relating to the RSUs will be made only to you.  Your personal representatives, heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, successors and assigns, and those of MSCI, shall all be bound by, and shall benefit from, the terms and conditions of your award.

Section 7.Designation of a Beneficiary.  Any designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive all or part of the Shares to be paid under this Award Agreement in the event of your death will be governed by local law.  To make a beneficiary designation, you must coordinate with your personal tax or estate planning representative.  Any Shares that become payable upon your death will be distributed to your estate in accordance with local law rules.  You may replace or revoke your beneficiary designation at any time.  If there is any question as to the legal right of any beneficiary(ies) to receive Shares under this Award Agreement, MSCI may determine in its sole discretion to deliver the Shares in question to your estate.  MSCI’s determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons, and it will have no further liability to anyone with respect to such Shares.

Section 8.Ownership and Possession.

(a)Prior to Conversion.  Prior to conversion of your RSUs, you will not have any rights as a stockholder in the Shares corresponding to your RSUs.  However, you will receive dividend equivalent payments, as set forth in Section 3 of this Award Agreement.

(b)Following Conversion.  Following conversion of your RSUs, you will be the beneficial owner of the Shares issued to you, and you will be entitled to all rights of ownership, including voting rights and the right to receive cash or stock dividends or other distributions paid on the Shares.

Section 9.Securities Law Compliance Matters.  MSCI may, if it determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the stock certificates representing Shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates.  MSCI may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against such Shares if it determines that such an order is necessary or advisable.

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Section 10.Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of Shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs (whether directly or indirectly, whether or not for value, and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with any applicable constitution, rule, regulation, or policy of any of the exchanges, associations or other institutions with which MSCI has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory body.

Section 11.No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares.  You should consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

Section 12.Consents under Local Law.  Your award is conditioned upon the making of all filings and the receipt of all consents or authorizations required to comply with, or be obtained under, applicable local law.

Section 13.Award Modification and Section 409A.

(a)Award Modification.  MSCI reserves the right to modify or amend unilaterally the terms and conditions of your RSUs, without first asking your consent, or to waive any terms and conditions that operate in favor of MSCI.  MSCI may not modify your RSUs in a manner that would materially impair your rights in your RSUs without your consent; provided, however, that MSCI may, without your consent, amend or modify your RSUs in any manner that MSCI considers necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations.  MSCI will notify you of any amendment of your RSUs that affects your rights.  Any amendment or waiver of a provision of this Award Agreement (other than any amendment or waiver applicable to all recipients generally), which amendment or waiver operates in your favor or confers a benefit on you, must be in writing and signed by the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel (or if such positions no longer exist, by the holders of equivalent positions) to be effective.

(b)Section 409A.  You understand and agree that all payments made pursuant to this Award Agreement are intended to be exempt and/or comply with Section 409A, and shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Award Agreement, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, if MSCI considers you to be one of its “specified employees” and you are a U.S. taxpayer, in each case, at the time of your “separation from service” (as such terms are defined in the Code) from the Company, no conversion specified hereunder shall occur prior to your death or the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of your separation from service from the Company (such period, the “Delay Period”).  Any conversion of RSUs into Shares that would have occurred during the Delay Period but for the fact that you are deemed to be a specified employee shall be satisfied either by (i) conversion of such RSUs into Shares on the first business day following the Delay Period or (ii) a cash payment on the first business day following the Delay Period equal to the value of such RSUs on the scheduled conversion date (based on the value of the Shares on such date) plus accrued interest as determined by MSCI.

Section 14.Severability.  In the event MSCI determines that any provision of this Award Agreement would cause you to be in constructive receipt for United States federal or state income tax purposes of any portion of your award, then such provision will be considered null and void and this Award Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the provision had not been included in this Award Agreement as of the date such provision was determined to cause you to be in constructive receipt of any portion of your award.

Section 15.Successors.  This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or persons who shall, upon your death, acquire any rights hereunder in accordance with this Award Agreement or the Plan.

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Section 16.Venue.  For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

Section 17.Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.  With respect to each provision of this Award Agreement that provides for your RSUs to convert to Shares on the Vesting Date or upon a different specified event or date, such conversion will be considered to have been timely made, and neither you nor any of your beneficiaries or your estate shall have any claim against the Company for damages based on a delay in payment, and the Company shall have no liability to you (or to any of your beneficiaries or your estate) in respect of any such delay, as long as payment is made by December 31 of the year in which the Vesting Date or such other specified event or date occurs, or if later, by March 15th of the year following such specified event or date.

Section 18.Non-U.S. Directors.  The following provisions will apply to you if you are providing services as a director of MSCI and reside outside of the United States.  For the avoidance of doubt, if you reside in the United States and subsequently relocate to another country after the Grant Date, or if you reside in another country and subsequently relocate to the United States after the Grant Date, the following provisions may apply to you to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for tax, legal or administrative reasons.

(a)Tax and Other Withholding Obligations.

You acknowledge that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items or liabilities, howsoever arising in any jurisdictions, related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company.  You further acknowledge that the Company (i) makes no representations or undertaking regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the RSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividend equivalents and/or dividends; and (ii) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result.  Further, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

Pursuant to rules and procedures that MSCI establishes, Tax-Related Items arising upon any relevant taxable or tax withholding event (as applicable) of your RSUs may be satisfied, in the Board’s sole discretion, by having MSCI withhold Shares, or by having MSCI withhold cash or amounts from your director fees or other compensation if MSCI provides for a cash withholding option, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the Tax-Related Items withholding obligations.  Shares withheld will be valued using the fair market value of the Shares on the date your RSUs convert, using a valuation methodology established by MSCI.  In order to comply with applicable accounting standards or the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, MSCI may limit the amount of Shares that you may have withheld.  If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, you are deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

In the event that withholding in Shares is problematic under applicable tax or securities law or has materially adverse accounting consequences, by your acceptance of the RSUs, you authorize and direct MSCI and any brokerage firm determined acceptable to MSCI to sell on your behalf a whole number of Shares from those Shares issued to you as MSCI determines to be appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the obligation for Tax-Related Items.  Depending on the withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering maximum applicable rates, in which case you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the stock equivalent.

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Finally, you agree to pay to the Company, including through withholding from any director fees or other compensation paid to you by MSCI, any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company may be required to withhold or account for as a result of your participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described.  MSCI may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

(b)Nature of Grant.  In accepting the RSUs, you acknowledge, understand and agree that:

(i)the Plan is established voluntarily by MSCI, it is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or terminated by MSCI at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;

(ii)this RSU award is not a director, employment and/or service agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or your participation in the Plan shall create a right to continued service as a director of MSCI or interfere with the ability of MSCI to terminate your service relationship (if any);

(iii)this award, and all other awards of RSUs and other equity-based awards, are exceptional, discretionary, voluntary and occasional.  This award does not confer on you any contractual or other right or entitlement to receive another award of RSUs, any other equity-based award or benefits in lieu of RSUs at any time in the future or in respect of any future period;

(iv)MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion.  All decisions with respect to future RSU or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of MSCI;

(v)you are voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(vi)the grant of RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs, and the income from and value of the same, are not intended to replace any pension rights, director fees or other compensation;

(vii)this award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive director fees or other compensation in any specific amount;

(viii)the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(ix)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from the termination of your service as a director of MSCI; and

(x)the Company shall not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the U.S. Dollar that may affect the value of the RSUs or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the settlement of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement.

(c)Data Privacy.  You hereby explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other RSU grant materials by and among, as applicable, MSCI and any subsidiary of MSCI for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.

You understand that the Company may hold certain personal information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance number, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in MSCI, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.  

A-5

You understand that Data will be transferred to E*Trade Financial Corporate Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“E*Trade”), or such other stock plan service provider as may be selected by MSCI in the future, which is assisting MSCI with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  You understand that the recipients of the Data may be located in the U.S. or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the U.S.) may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country.  You understand that if you reside outside the United States, you may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting your local Human Resources representative.  You authorize MSCI, E*Trade, and any other possible recipients which may assist MSCI (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan.  You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan.  You understand if you reside outside the U.S., you may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, or exercise any additional right available under applicable law, by contacting in writing the Corporate Secretary and Global Head of Executive Compensation and Benefits.  Further, you understand that you are providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis.  If you do not consent, or if you later seek to revoke your consent, your service with the Company will not be affected; the only consequence of refusing or withdrawing your consent is that MSCI would not be able to grant you RSUs or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards.  Therefore, you understand that refusing or withdrawing your consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of your refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, you understand that you may contact your local Human Resources representative.

Finally, upon request by MSCI and/or any Subsidiary, you agree to provide an executed data privacy consent form (or any other agreements or consents) that MSCI and/or any Subsidiary may deem necessary to obtain from you for the purpose of administering your participation in the Plan in compliance with the data privacy laws in your country, either now or in the future.  You understand and agree that you will not be able to participate in the Plan if you fail to provide any such consent or agreement requested by MSCI and/or any Subsidiary.

(d)Language.  If you have received this Award Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

(e)Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  MSCI may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means.  You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by MSCI or a third party designated by MSCI.

(f)Exhibit B.  Notwithstanding any provisions in this Award Agreement, the RSUs shall be subject to any special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement for your country.  Moreover, if you relocate to one of the countries included in Exhibit B, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to you, to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons.  Exhibit B constitutes part of this Award Agreement.

(g)Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws.  By accepting the RSUs, you acknowledge that you are bound by all the terms and conditions of any MSCI insider trading policy as may be in effect from time to time.  You further acknowledge that, depending on your country of residence, you may be or may become subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to accept, acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of Shares, rights to Shares (e.g., RSUs) or rights linked to the value of Shares (e.g., phantom awards, futures) under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding MSCI (as determined under the laws or regulations in the applicable jurisdictions).  Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders you place before you possessed inside information.  Furthermore, you may be

A-6

prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or otherwise causing them to buy or sell securities.  Third parties include other service providers of MSCI and any of its subsidiaries. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy.  You acknowledge that you are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and you should consult your personal legal advisor on this matter.

(h)Foreign Asset/Account, Exchange Control Reporting.  Your country may have certain exchange control and/or foreign asset/account reporting requirements which may affect your ability to acquire or hold Shares under the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including from any dividends or dividend equivalents received or sale proceeds resulting from the sale of Shares) in a brokerage or bank account outside of your country. You may be required to report such accounts, assets or transactions to the tax or other authorities in your country. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with any applicable regulations, and that you should consult your personal advisor on this matter.

A-7

EXHIBIT B

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

[•]

B-1

EX-31.1

 

Exhibit 31.1

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, Henry A. Fernandez, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MSCI Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2020

/s/ Henry A. Fernandez

Henry A. Fernandez

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

 

Exhibit 31.2

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

I, Linda S. Huber, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of MSCI Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2020

/s/ Linda S. Huber

Linda S. Huber

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Henry A. Fernandez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSCI Inc. (the “Registrant”) and Linda S. Huber, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, each hereby certifies that, to the best of his/her knowledge:

1. The Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020 (the “Periodic Report”), to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 32.1, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Registrant at the end of the period covered by the Periodic Report and results of operations of the Registrant for the periods covered by the Periodic Report.

Date: April 29, 2020

/s/ Henry A. Fernandez	/s/ Linda S. Huber
Henry A. Fernandez Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	Linda S. Huber Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Segment Information - Operating Revenue by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 416,780	$ 371,381
Index [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Operating revenues	249,256	214,773
Analytics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Operating revenues	125,508	121,435
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 42,016	$ 35,173

XML

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisition of equity method investment including capitalized costs		$ 190,822,000
The Burgiss Group, LLC [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisition of equity method investment including capitalized costs	$ 190,800,000
Equity method investment, non controlling interest percentage	40.00%
Earnings recognized from equity method investment		0
Amortization related to equity method investment		$ 0

XML

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)					3 Months Ended
	Apr. 20, 2020	Nov. 15, 2019	May 15, 2018	Aug. 04, 2016	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 04, 2020	Nov. 20, 2014
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount					$ 3,200,000,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt					9,966,000
Prepaid and Other Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees					500,000
Other Non-Current Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees					1,600,000
Long-term Debt [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees					$ 29,900,000
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate					2.25%
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing		$ 400,000,000.0	$ 250,000,000.0	$ 220,000,000.0			$ 200,000,000.0
Revolving credit agreement, term					5 years
Revolving credit agreement, extended term		1 year	1 year	1 year
Revolving credit agreement, drawn and outstanding amount					$ 5,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Revolving credit paid	$ 5,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Agreement [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Revolving credit agreement, variable interest rate					1.50%
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%
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.
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%
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.
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount					$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate					5.375%
Maturity date					May 15, 2027
Redemption description					At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2027 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					105.375%
4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount					$ 1,000,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate					4.00%
Maturity date					Nov. 15, 2029
Redemption description					At any time prior to November 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2029 Senior Notes 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					104.00%
3.625% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2030 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount					$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000.0
Debt instrument interest rate					3.625%	3.625%
Maturity date					Sep. 01, 2030
Redemption description					At any time prior to March 1, 2025, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2030 Senior Notes 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.
Redemption price					103.625%
3.625% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2030 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed					35.00%
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount						$ 300,000,000.0
Debt instrument interest rate					5.25%	5.25%
Maturity date					Nov. 15, 2024
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member] | Other expense (income) [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt					$ 10,000,000.0
Write-off of unamortized costs					2,100,000
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member] | Other expense (income) [Member] | Indenture [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss on debt extinguishment includes call premium paid in accordance with redemption prices					7,900,000
Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount					3,200,000,000.0
Senior Notes and Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees					$ 32,000,000.0

XML

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Schedule of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 1,562,868
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(3,443)
Goodwill, Ending balance	1,559,425
Index [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	1,204,694
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(2,138)
Goodwill, Ending balance	1,202,556
Analytics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	290,976
Goodwill, Ending balance	290,976
All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	67,198
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(1,305)
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 65,893

XML

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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 and its wholly owned subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to state fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and related financial statement information as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from the 2019 audited consolidated financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). 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, 2019.  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 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, assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes, incremental borrowing rates 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.  

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Concentrations

Concentrations

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 11.3% and 11.6% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 18.5% and 19.3% of the Index segment operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues within the Analytics and All Other segments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

Following the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” effective beginning January 1, 2020, the Company records an allowance on customer accounts at the time of billing based on the estimated amount of the billing that will not be collected.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on doubtful accounts receivable from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2020 were as follows:

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,027
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		1,024
Write-offs, net of recoveries		(336	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	1,715
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		333
Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries		(844	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	1,204

Recent Accounting Standards Updates

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 estimated credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, modify the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provide for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2018-19, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-04, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief,” or ASU 2019-05, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates,” or ASU 2019-10 and Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-11. The amendments in these ASUs provide clarifications to ASU 2016-13.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and the related clarifications effective January 1, 2020. The adoption did not 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 performed procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities. When applying 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. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2020.

XML

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net consisted of the following as of the specified dates:

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	188,788		$	185,794
Furniture & fixtures		13,120			12,478
Leasehold improvements		54,826			52,339
Work-in-process		3,779			8,667
Subtotal		260,513			259,278
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(174,235	)		(168,570	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	86,278		$	90,708

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 21, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
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 Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		83,595,699
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-33812
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-4038723
Entity Address, Address Line One	7 World Trade Center
Entity Address, Address Line Two	250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10007
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	804-3900
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 148,125	$ 178,192
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,363)	1,533
Income tax effect	2,468	(347)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net	(9,895)	1,186
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments	306	20
Income tax effect	(36)	(9)
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments, net	270	11
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(9,625)	1,197
Comprehensive income	$ 138,500	$ 179,389

XML

Introduction and Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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”) provides critical decision support tools and services that bring greater transparency to the global financial markets. MSCI’s tools and services include indexes; portfolio construction tools and risk-management services; environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) research and ratings; and real estate benchmarks, return analytics services and market insights; much of which can be accessed by clients through multiple channels and platforms.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to state fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the results of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and related financial statement information as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from the 2019 audited consolidated financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). 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, 2019.  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 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, assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes, incremental borrowing rates 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.  

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Concentrations

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 11.3% and 11.6% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 18.5% and 19.3% of the Index segment operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues within the Analytics and All Other segments for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable

Following the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” effective beginning January 1, 2020, the Company records an allowance on customer accounts at the time of billing based on the estimated amount of the billing that will not be collected.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on doubtful accounts receivable from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2020 were as follows:

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,027
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		1,024
Write-offs, net of recoveries		(336	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	1,715
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		333
Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries		(844	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	1,204

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Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Remaining Performance Obligations (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 599,020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	357,086
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	163,329
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	65,213
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 13,392

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Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Changes in Allowance for Credit Losses on Doubtful Accounts Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 1,715	$ 1,027
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense	333	1,024
Write-offs, net of recoveries		(336)
Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries	(844)
Balance at ending of year	$ 1,204	$ 1,715

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

10. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes was an expense of $14.7 million and a benefit of $49.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 9.0% and negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The effective tax rate of 9.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period which was impacted by certain favorable discrete items totaling $22.4 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, these discrete items primarily related to $18.9 million of excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation vested during the period and $2.6 million related to the tax impact of loss on debt extinguishment recognized during the period. Also included in the discrete items is a $0.8 million benefit related to the revaluation of the cost of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings.

The effective tax rate of negative 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective tax rate for the period and was impacted by certain discrete items totaling $77.8 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, these discrete items primarily related to $66.6 million of excess tax benefits recognized upon vesting during the period of certain multi-year restricted stock units that were subject to the achievement of multi-year total shareholder return targets (performance targets subject to market conditions) granted in 2016 (“2016 Multi-Year PSUs”) and $9.8 million of excess tax benefits recognized on other share-based compensation vested during the period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, a number of countries enacted economic stimulus laws including the CARES Act in the U.S. The company has evaluated the laws that were passed during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and does not believe the laws have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate or cash flows. A number of the laws, however, have enabled the Company to defer certain eligible tax payments that would have fallen due in later quarters.

The Company is under examination by the IRS and other tax authorities in certain jurisdictions, including foreign jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and 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 2006 through 2019. 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. Based on the current status of income tax audits, the total amount of unrecognized benefits may decrease by approximately $11.2 million in the next twelve months as a result of the resolution of tax examinations.

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Recent Accounting Standards Updates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Standards Updates

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES

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 estimated credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, modify the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provide for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2018-19, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-04, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-04, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-05, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief,” or ASU 2019-05, Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates,” or ASU 2019-10 and Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-11, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses,” or ASU 2019-11. The amendments in these ASUs provide clarifications to ASU 2016-13.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and the related clarifications effective January 1, 2020. The adoption did not 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 performed procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities. When applying 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. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2020.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net

6. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Goodwill

The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment:

(in thousands)	Index			Analytics		All Other			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2019	$	1,204,694		$	290,976	$	67,198		$	1,562,868
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(2,138	)		—		(1,305	)		(3,443	)
Goodwill at March 31, 2020	$	1,202,556		$	290,976	$	65,893		$	1,559,425

Intangible Assets, Net

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $13.8 million and $11.8 million, respectively. The amortization expense of acquired intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $8.8 million and $8.7 million, respectively. The amortization expense of internally developed capitalized software for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $5.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

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

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	356,700		$	356,700
Trademarks/trade names		207,300			207,300
Technology/software		268,978			263,719
Proprietary data		28,627			28,627
Subtotal		861,605			856,346
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(10,269	)		(7,615	)
Total gross intangible assets	$	851,336		$	848,731
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(237,115	)	$	(231,665	)
Trademarks/trade names		(136,051	)		(133,305	)
Technology/software		(213,156	)		(209,878	)
Proprietary data		(14,405	)		(13,963	)
Subtotal		(600,727	)		(588,811	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		2,789			1,567
Total accumulated amortization	$	(597,938	)	$	(587,244	)
Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	119,585		$	125,035
Trademarks/trade names		71,249			73,995
Technology/software		55,822			53,841
Proprietary data		14,222			14,664
Subtotal		260,878			267,535
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(7,480	)		(6,048	)
Total net intangible assets	$	253,398		$	261,487

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2020 and succeeding years:

Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2020	$	42,035
2021		52,471
2022		45,186
2023		35,300
2024		33,437
Thereafter		44,969
Total	$	253,398

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Leases - Summary of Lease Term and Discount Rate Under Operating Lease (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	12 years 11 months 1 day
Weighted-average discount rate	3.41%

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - Schedule of Dividends Declared Per Common Share and Total Amounts Declared, Distributed and Deferred (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.68	$ 0.58
Cash dividends declared, Amount	$ 59,233	$ 55,339
Cash dividends distributed, Amount	59,455	57,988
Cash dividends (released)/deferred, Amount	$ (222)	$ (2,649)

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Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognized during period included in deferred revenue	$ 212.4	$ 168.6
Revenue, performance obligations and revenue recognition, description	For contracts that have a duration of one year or less, the Company has not disclosed either the remaining performance obligation as of the end of the reporting period or when the Company expects to recognize the revenue.

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Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) - Sales Revenue, Services, Net [Member] - Customer Concentration Risk [Member] - Customer	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues	1	1
Blackrock Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	11.30%	11.60%
Index [Member] | Blackrock Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	18.50%	19.30%
Analytics [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues	0	0
All Other [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of major customers represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues	0	0

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Revenue Recognition

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

3. REVENUE RECOGNITION

MSCI’s revenues are characterized by product type, which broadly reflects the nature of how they are recognized. The Company’s revenue types are recurring subscription, asset-based fees and non-recurring revenues. The Company also reports revenues by segment.

The tables that follow present the disaggregated revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2020
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	139,840	$	124,065	$	40,520	$	304,425
Asset-based fees		100,196		—		—		100,196
Non-recurring		9,220		1,443		1,496		12,159
Total	$	249,256	$	125,508	$	42,016	$	416,780

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	127,674	$	120,110	$	34,580	$	282,364
Asset-based fees		81,808		—		—		81,808
Non-recurring		5,291		1,325		593		7,209
Total	$	214,773	$	121,435	$	35,173	$	371,381

The tables that follow present the change in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue between the dates indicated (in thousands):

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2019)	$	499,268		$	574,656
Closing (03/31/2020)		481,990			574,472
Increase/(decrease)	$	(17,278	)	$	(184	)

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2018)	$	473,433		$	537,977
Closing (03/31/2019)		427,099			524,988
Increase/(decrease)	$	(46,334	)	$	(12,989	)

The amount of revenue recognized in the periods that was included in the opening current deferred revenue, which reflects contract liability amounts, were $212.4 million and $168.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company’s deferred revenue was primarily driven by an increase in the amortization of deferred revenue to operating revenues, partially offset by an increase in billings. MSCI had an insignificant long-term deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2020, reflected as a part of “Other non-current liabilities” on its Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

For contracts that have a duration of one year or less, the Company has not disclosed either the remaining performance obligation as of the end of the reporting period or when the Company expects to recognize the revenue. The remaining performance obligations for contracts that have a duration of greater than one year and the periods in which they are expected to be recognized are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
	2020
	(in thousands)
First 12-month period	$	357,086
Second 12-month period		163,329
Third 12-month period		65,213
Periods thereafter		13,392
Total	$	599,020

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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

Senior Unsecured Notes. The Company had an aggregate of $3,200.0 million in senior unsecured notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) outstanding at March 31, 2020, consisting of five discrete private offerings presented in the table below:

		Principal Amount Outstanding at		Carrying Value at		Carrying Value at		Fair Value at		Fair Value at
	Maturity Date	March 31, 2020		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in thousands)
Long-term debt
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2024	November 15, 2024	$	-	$	-	$	297,835	$	-	$	309,225
5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025	August 15, 2025		800,000		794,325		794,063		836,568		840,872
4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	August 1, 2026		500,000		495,754		495,587		498,050		525,800
5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027	May 15, 2027		500,000		495,331		495,168		516,605		541,300
4.00% senior unsecured notes due 2029	November 15, 2029		1,000,000		989,546		989,273		994,180		1,018,820
3.625% senior unsecured notes due 2030	September 1, 2030		400,000		395,105		-		382,952		-
Total long-term debt		$	3,200,000	$	3,170,061	$	3,071,926	$	3,228,355	$	3,236,017

The fair market value of the Company’s debt obligations 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.

The $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (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.

The $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026 (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.  

The $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the “2027 Senior Notes”) are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on May 15, 2027. At any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2027 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 2027 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after May 15, 2022, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2027 Senior Notes. At any time prior to May 15, 2021, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

The $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”) are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on November 15, 2029. At any time prior to November 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2029 Senior Notes 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 2029 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after November 15, 2024, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2029 Senior Notes. At any time prior to November 15, 2022, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 104.000% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

On March 4, 2020, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “2030 Senior Notes”) in a private offering that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2030 Senior Notes to redeem the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount that remained outstanding on its 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”). The early redemption of the 2024 Senior Notes resulted in a $10.0 million loss on debt extinguishment recorded in other expense (income), which included approximately $7.9 million of call premium paid in accordance with the redemption prices set forth in the indenture and the write-off of approximately $2.1 million unamortized costs associated with the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Senior Notes.

The 2030 Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on September 1, 2030. At any time prior to March 1, 2025, the Company may redeem all or part of the 2030 Senior Notes 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 2030 Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after March 1, 2025, at redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 2030 Senior Notes. At any time prior to March 1, 2023, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 103.625% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.

Interest payments attributable to the 2027 Senior Notes and 2029 Senior Notes are due on May 15th and November 15th of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2025 Senior Notes are due on February 15th and August 15th of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2026 Senior Notes are due on February 1st and August 1st of each year. Interest payments attributable to the 2030 Senior Notes are due on March 1st and September 1st of each year, with the first payment occurring on September 1, 2020.

Revolver. On November 20, 2014, the Company entered into a $200.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The 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 “First Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The First 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. On May 15, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Second Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $250.0 million, (ii) extended the term to May 2023 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term and (iii) decreased the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments. On November 15, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Third Amendment”) to the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Third Amendment, among other things, (i) increased aggregate commitments available to be borrowed to $400.0 million, (ii) extended the term to November 2024 with an option to extend for an additional one-year term, (iii) decreased the applicable rate and applicable fee rate for loans and commitments and (iv) amended certain restrictive covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s financial flexibility. As of March 31, 2020, $5.0 million was drawn and outstanding under the Third Amendment, which bears interest of LIBOR plus 1.50%, or a rate of 2.25%. The $5.0 million plus accrued interest was paid on April 20, 2020.

In connection with the closings of the Senior Notes offerings and entry into the Revolving Credit Agreement and the First, Second and Third Amendments, the Company paid certain financing fees which, together with the existing fees related to prior credit facilities are being amortized over their related lives. At March 31, 2020, $32.0 million of the deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $0.5 million of which is included in “Prepaid and other assets,” $1.6 million of which is included in “Other non-current assets” and $29.9 million of which is grouped and presented as part of “Long-term debt” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

11. 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 its President and Chief Operating Officer, who are together 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, at times, certain other transactions or adjustments, including the impact related to the vesting of the 2016 Multi-Year PSUs, 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.

Operating 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 based upon allocation methodologies, including time estimates, revenue, headcount, sales targets, data center consumption and other relevant usage measures. Due to the integrated structure of MSCI’s 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 revenues, 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 five operating segments: Index, Analytics, ESG, Real Estate and The Burgiss Group, LLC (“Burgiss”).

The Index operating segment is a provider of primarily equity indexes. The indexes are used in many areas of the investment process, including index-linked product creation (e.g., ETFs and futures and options), performance benchmarking, portfolio construction and rebalancing, broker-dealer structured products and asset allocation.

The Analytics operating segment offers risk management, performance attribution and portfolio management content, applications and services that provide clients with an integrated view of risk and return and an analysis of market, credit, liquidity and counterparty risk across all major asset classes, spanning short-, medium- and long-term time horizons. Clients access our Analytics content through MSCI’s own proprietary applications and application programming interfaces, third-party applications or directly through their own platforms. Additionally, the Analytics operating segment also provides various managed services to help clients operate more efficiently, including consolidation of client portfolio data from various sources, review and reconciliation of input data and results, and customized reporting.

The ESG operating segment offers products and services that help institutional investors understand how ESG considerations can impact the long-term risk and return of their portfolio and individual security-level investments. In addition, MSCI ESG Research data and ratings are used in the construction of equity and fixed income indexes to help institutional investors more effectively benchmark ESG investment performance, issue index-based investment products, as well as manage, measure and report on ESG mandates.

The Real Estate operating segment offers research, reporting, market data and benchmarking offerings that provide real estate performance analysis for funds, investors and managers. Real Estate performance and risk analytics range from enterprise-wide to property-specific analysis. The Real Estate operating segment also provides business intelligence to real estate owners, managers, developers and brokers worldwide.

The Burgiss operating segment represents the Company’s equity method investment in Burgiss, a global provider of investment decision support tools for private capital. See Note 12, “Equity Method Investments,” for further information.

The operating segments of ESG, Real Estate and Burgiss do not individually meet the segment reporting thresholds and have been combined and presented as part of All Other for disclosure purposes. Burgiss is an equity-method investment, therefore, the All Other segment does not include the Company’s proportionate share of operating revenues and Adjusted EBITDA related to Burgiss.  The Company’s proportionate share of Burgiss’s equity earnings are not a component of Adjusted EBITDA as they are reported as a component of other (expense) income, net.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Index	$	249,256	$	214,773
Analytics		125,508		121,435
All Other		42,016		35,173
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	183,586	$	152,211
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		36,318		36,398
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		9,323		9,098
Total operating segment profitability		229,227		197,707
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		—		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850
Operating income		207,884		162,675
Other expense (income), net		45,035		34,383
Provision for income taxes		14,724		(49,900	)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192

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
	March 31,
		2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Americas:
United States	$	181,046	$	166,186
Other		17,756		15,983
Total Americas		198,802		182,169
Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		65,061		55,207
Other		87,929		76,635
Total EMEA		152,990		131,842
Asia & Australia:
Japan		19,392		17,948
Other		45,596		39,422
Total Asia & Australia		64,988		57,370
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

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
	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets
Americas:
United States	$	1,772,604	$	1,781,667
Other		5,065		6,398
Total Americas		1,777,669		1,788,065
EMEA:
United Kingdom		75,871		81,338
Other		36,116		36,433
Total EMEA		111,987		117,771
Asia & Australia:
Japan		363		398
Other		9,082		8,829
Total Asia & Australia		9,445		9,227
Total	$	1,899,101	$	1,915,063

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Leases - Summary of Other Information Under Operating Lease (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 7,690
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 7,663

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - Summary of Activity Related to Shares of Common Stock Issued and Repurchased (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 shares
Common Stock Issued [Member]
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	132,419,412
Dividend payable/paid	259
Common stock issued	377,843
Shares issued to directors	21
Ending balance	132,797,535
Treasury Stock [Member]
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	(47,624,482)
Dividend payable/paid	(120)
Shares withheld for tax withholding	(153,923)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs	(1,309,878)
Ending balance	(49,088,403)
Common Stock Outstanding [Member]
Common Stock Outstanding [Line Items]
Beginning balance	84,794,930
Dividend payable/paid	139
Common stock issued	377,843
Shares withheld for tax withholding	(153,923)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs	(1,309,878)
Shares issued to directors	21
Ending balance	83,709,132

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Segment Information - Segment Profitability and Reconciliation to Net Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 229,227	$ 197,707
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets	13,776	11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	7,567	7,850
Operating income	207,884	162,675
Other expense (income), net	45,035	34,383
Provision for income taxes	14,724	(49,900)
Net income	148,125	178,192
Index [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	183,586	152,211
Analytics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	36,318	36,398
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 9,323	$ 9,098

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Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased, value			$ 325,699	$ 102,081
Dividend declared per common share			$ 0.68	$ 0.58
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased, shares		0.1
Average price paid per share		$ 273.77
Common stock repurchased, value		$ 31,100
Dividend declared per common share	$ 0.68
Quarterly dividend declared date	Apr. 27, 2020
Quarterly dividend payable date	May 29, 2020
Quarterly dividend record date	May 15, 2020

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2020 and Succeeding Years (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder of 2020	$ 42,035
2021	52,471
2022	45,186
2023	35,300
2024	33,437
Thereafter	44,969
Net carrying value	$ 253,398	$ 261,487

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Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$ 7,567	$ 7,850

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Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Changes in Allowance for Credit Losses on Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on doubtful accounts receivable from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2020 were as follows:

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,027
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		1,024
Write-offs, net of recoveries		(336	)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	1,715
(Reduction) addition to credit loss expense		333
Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries		(844	)
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	1,204

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2019	$	1,204,694		$	290,976	$	67,198		$	1,562,868
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(2,138	)		—		(1,305	)		(3,443	)
Goodwill at March 31, 2020	$	1,202,556		$	290,976	$	65,893		$	1,559,425

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

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

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Gross intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	356,700		$	356,700
Trademarks/trade names		207,300			207,300
Technology/software		268,978			263,719
Proprietary data		28,627			28,627
Subtotal		861,605			856,346
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(10,269	)		(7,615	)
Total gross intangible assets	$	851,336		$	848,731
Accumulated amortization:
Customer relationships	$	(237,115	)	$	(231,665	)
Trademarks/trade names		(136,051	)		(133,305	)
Technology/software		(213,156	)		(209,878	)
Proprietary data		(14,405	)		(13,963	)
Subtotal		(600,727	)		(588,811	)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		2,789			1,567
Total accumulated amortization	$	(597,938	)	$	(587,244	)
Net intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	119,585		$	125,035
Trademarks/trade names		71,249			73,995
Technology/software		55,822			53,841
Proprietary data		14,222			14,664
Subtotal		260,878			267,535
Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(7,480	)		(6,048	)
Total net intangible assets	$	253,398		$	261,487

Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2020 and Succeeding Years

The following table presents the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of the year ending December 31, 2020 and succeeding years:

Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
Remainder of 2020	$	42,035
2021		52,471
2022		45,186
2023		35,300
2024		33,437
Thereafter		44,969
Total	$	253,398

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 148,125	$ 178,192
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets	13,776	11,793
Stock-based compensation expense	15,163	9,541
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	7,567	7,850
Amortization of right of use assets	5,989	5,583
Amortization of debt origination fees	1,089	986
Loss on extinguishment of debt	9,966
Deferred taxes	(5,165)	(8,397)
Other non-cash adjustments	337	(200)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	15,926	46,805
Prepaid income taxes	3,330	(53,613)
Prepaid and other assets	296	406
Accounts payable	(1,536)	(1,793)
Accrued compensation and related benefits	(98,658)	(81,170)
Income taxes payable	2,229	(5,843)
Other accrued liabilities	(3,563)	(7,107)
Deferred revenue	2,252	(13,352)
Long-term operating lease liabilities	(6,078)	(5,422)
Other	1,725	3,616
Net cash provided by operating activities	112,770	87,875
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of equity method investment	(190,822)
Capitalized software development costs	(7,203)	(4,990)
Capital expenditures	(3,613)	(3,156)
Proceeds from the sale of capital equipment		10
Net cash used in investing activities	(201,638)	(8,136)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings	405,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(307,875)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		726
Repurchase of common stock held in treasury	(372,894)	(284,466)
Payment of dividends	(59,378)	(57,895)
Payment of debt issuance costs in connection with debt	(4,934)
Net cash used in financing activities	(340,081)	(341,635)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(10,762)	501
Net decrease in cash	(439,711)	(261,395)
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of period	1,506,567	904,176
Cash and cash equivalent, end of period	1,066,856	642,781
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	40,495	35,148
Cash paid for income taxes	5,684	17,312
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements accrued, but not yet paid	4,987	2,848
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities
Cash dividends declared, but not yet paid	$ 616	$ 237

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 416,780	$ 371,381
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	74,609	82,346
Selling and marketing	55,549	56,048
Research and development	26,562	23,172
General and administrative	30,833	27,497
Amortization of intangible assets	13,776	11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	7,567	7,850
Total operating expenses	208,896	208,706
Operating income	207,884	162,675
Interest income	(3,483)	(4,086)
Interest expense	40,231	35,915
Other expense (income)	8,287	2,554
Other expense (income), net	45,035	34,383
Income before provision for income taxes	162,849	128,292
Provision for income taxes	14,724	(49,900)
Net income	$ 148,125	$ 178,192
Earnings per basic common share	$ 1.75	$ 2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 1.73	$ 2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share
Basic	84,870	84,253
Diluted	85,548	85,649

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Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

5. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS, NET

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net consisted of the following as of the specified dates:

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Computer & related equipment	$	188,788		$	185,794
Furniture & fixtures		13,120			12,478
Leasehold improvements		54,826			52,339
Work-in-process		3,779			8,667
Subtotal		260,513			259,278
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(174,235	)		(168,570	)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$	86,278		$	90,708

Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $7.6 million and $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)

9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Return of capital.

On October 26, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $750.0 million worth of shares of the Company’s common stock (together with the amount then remaining under a previously existing share repurchase program, the “2016 Repurchase Program”).

On May 1, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $1,000.0 million worth of shares of the Company’s common stock in addition to the $523.1 million of authorization then remaining under the 2016 Repurchase Program (the “2018 Repurchase Program”).

On October 29, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program for the purchase of up to $750.0 million worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock in addition to the $706.1 million of authorization remaining under the 2018 Repurchase Program (the “2019 Repurchase Program”) for a total of $1,456.1 million of stock repurchase authorization. Share repurchases made pursuant to the 2019 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 March 31, 2020, there was $1,130.4 million of available authorization remaining under the 2019 Repurchase Program.

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

Three Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
March 31, 2020	$	248.65		1,310	$	325,698
March 31, 2019	$	147.97		690	$	102,081

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		(Released)/Deferred
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020	$	0.68	$	59,233	$	59,455	$	(222	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	$	0.58	$	55,339	$	57,988	$	(2,649	)

Common Stock.

The following table presents activity related to shares of common stock issued and repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020:

	Common Stock		Treasury			Common Stock
	Issued		Stock			Outstanding
Balance at December 31, 2019		132,419,412		(47,624,482	)		84,794,930
Dividend payable/paid		259		(120	)		139
Common stock issued		377,843		—			377,843
Shares withheld for tax withholding		—		(153,923	)		(153,923	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(1,309,878	)		(1,309,878	)
Shares issued to directors		21		—			21
Balance at March 31, 2020		132,797,535		(49,088,403	)		83,709,132

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Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 416,780	$ 371,381
Index [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	249,256	214,773
Analytics [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	125,508	121,435
All Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	42,016	35,173
Recurring Subscriptions [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	304,425	282,364
Recurring Subscriptions [Member] | Index [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	139,840	127,674
Recurring Subscriptions [Member] | Analytics [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	124,065	120,110
Recurring Subscriptions [Member] | All Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	40,520	34,580
Asset-based Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	100,196	81,808
Asset-based Fees [Member] | Index [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	100,196	81,808
Non-recurring [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	12,159	7,209
Non-recurring [Member] | Index [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,220	5,291
Non-recurring [Member] | Analytics [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,443	1,325
Non-recurring [Member] | All Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 1,496	$ 593

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

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:

Three Months Ended	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased
			(in thousands)
March 31, 2020	$	248.65		1,310	$	325,698
March 31, 2019	$	147.97		690	$	102,081

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		(Released)/Deferred
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020	$	0.68	$	59,233	$	59,455	$	(222	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	$	0.58	$	55,339	$	57,988	$	(2,649	)

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 three months ended March 31, 2020:

	Common Stock		Treasury			Common Stock
	Issued		Stock			Outstanding
Balance at December 31, 2019		132,419,412		(47,624,482	)		84,794,930
Dividend payable/paid		259		(120	)		139
Common stock issued		377,843		—			377,843
Shares withheld for tax withholding		—		(153,923	)		(153,923	)
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase programs		—		(1,309,878	)		(1,309,878	)
Shares issued to directors		21		—			21
Balance at March 31, 2020		132,797,535		(49,088,403	)		83,709,132

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Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Remaining Performance Obligations (Detail 1) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 599,020

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Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	5

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Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Commitments Under Operating Leases (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Maturity of Lease Liabilities
Remainder of 2020	$ 20,352
2021	28,000
2022	24,497
2023	23,479
2024	18,254
Thereafter	102,102
Total lease payments	216,684
Less: Interest	(33,313)
Present value of lease liabilities	183,371
Other accrued liabilities	$ 21,821
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Long-term operating lease liabilities	$ 161,550	$ 164,144

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - Schedule of Company's Common Stock Repurchases Made on Open Market (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased	$ 325,699	$ 102,081
Open Market Purchases of Common Stock [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Average Price Paid Per Share	$ 248.65	$ 147.97
Total Number of Shares Repurchased	1,310	690
Dollar Value of Shares Repurchased	$ 325,698	$ 102,081

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 13,776	$ 11,793
Acquired Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	8,800	8,700
Capitalized Software [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 5,000	$ 3,100

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Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 148,125	$ 178,192
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	84,870	84,253
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units	678	1,396
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	85,548	85,649
Earnings per basic common share	$ 1.75	$ 2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$ 1.73	$ 2.08

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Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Senior Unsecured Notes (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 04, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 3,200,000,000
Carrying Value	3,170,061,000		$ 3,071,926,000
Fair Value	$ 3,228,355,000		3,236,017,000
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Nov. 15, 2024
Principal Amount Outstanding		$ 300,000,000.0
Carrying Value			297,835,000
Fair Value			309,225,000
5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Aug. 15, 2025
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 800,000,000
Carrying Value	794,325,000		794,063,000
Fair Value	$ 836,568,000		840,872,000
4.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Aug. 01, 2026
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 500,000,000
Carrying Value	495,754,000		495,587,000
Fair Value	$ 498,050,000		525,800,000
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	May 15, 2027
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 500,000,000
Carrying Value	495,331,000		495,168,000
Fair Value	$ 516,605,000		541,300,000
4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Nov. 15, 2029
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 1,000,000,000
Carrying Value	989,546,000		989,273,000
Fair Value	$ 994,180,000		$ 1,018,820,000
3.625% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Date	Sep. 01, 2030
Principal Amount Outstanding	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000.0
Carrying Value	395,105,000
Fair Value	$ 382,952,000

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Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 1,899,101	$ 1,915,063
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,772,604	1,781,667
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	5,065	6,398
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,777,669	1,788,065
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	75,871	81,338
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	36,116	36,433
Total EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	111,987	117,771
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	363	398
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	9,082	8,829
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$ 9,445	$ 9,227

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,066,856	$ 1,506,567
Accounts receivable, net of allowances	481,990	499,268
Prepaid income taxes	27,836	31,590
Prepaid and other assets	43,091	44,352
Total current assets	1,619,773	2,081,777
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	86,278	90,708
Right of use assets	163,704	166,406
Goodwill	1,559,425	1,562,868
Intangible assets, net	253,398	261,487
Equity method investment	190,822
Deferred tax assets	19,938	20,911
Other non-current assets	18,461	20,282
Total assets	3,911,799	4,204,439
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,864	6,498
Income taxes payable	16,486	14,210
Accrued compensation and related benefits	62,661	166,273
Other accrued liabilities	138,796	139,149
Deferred revenue	574,472	574,656
Total current liabilities	798,279	900,786
Long-term debt	3,170,061	3,071,926
Long-term operating lease liabilities	161,550	164,144
Deferred tax liabilities	58,393	66,639
Other non-current liabilities	77,847	77,658
Total liabilities	4,266,130	4,281,153
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 7)
Shareholders' equity (deficit):
Preferred stock (par value $0.01, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)
Common stock (par value $0.01; 750,000,000 common shares authorized; 132,797,535 and 132,419,412 common shares issued and 83,709,132 and 84,794,930 common shares outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)	1,328	1,324
Treasury shares, at cost (49,088,403 and 47,624,482 common shares held at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)	(3,938,714)	(3,565,784)
Additional paid in capital	1,366,442	1,351,031
Retained earnings	2,288,817	2,199,294
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(72,204)	(62,579)
Total shareholders' equity (deficit)	(354,331)	(76,714)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit)	$ 3,911,799	$ 4,204,439

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ (166,494)	$ 1,300	$ (3,272,774)	$ 1,306,428	$ 1,856,951	$ (58,399)
Net income	178,192				178,192
Dividends	(55,339)				(55,339)
Dividends paid in shares	93			93
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,197					1,197
Common stock issued	23	23
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises	(182,385)		(182,385)
Compensation payable in common stock and options	9,590			9,590
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury	(102,081)		(102,081)
Common stock issued to directors and held in treasury	(30)		(30)
Exercise of stock options	726			726
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	(316,508)	1,323	(3,557,270)	1,316,837	1,979,804	(57,202)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	(76,714)	1,324	(3,565,784)	1,351,031	2,199,294	(62,579)
Net income	148,125				148,125
Cumulative-effect adjustment	631				631
Dividends	(59,233)				(59,233)
Dividends paid in shares	78			78
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(9,625)					(9,625)
Common stock issued	4	4
Shares withheld for tax withholding and exercises	(47,195)		(47,195)
Compensation payable in common stock and options	15,333			15,333
Common stock repurchased and held in treasury	(325,699)		(325,699)
Common stock issued to directors and held in treasury	(36)		(36)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	$ (354,331)	$ 1,328	$ (3,938,714)	$ 1,366,442	$ 2,288,817	$ (72,204)

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Summary of Future Maturity of Lease Liabilities Under Operating Leases

Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020, the interest and other relevant line items in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition are as follows:

Maturity of Lease Liabilities	Operating
(in thousands)	Leases
Remainder of 2020	$	20,352
2021		28,000
2022		24,497
2023		23,479
2024		18,254
Thereafter		102,102
Total lease payments	$	216,684
Less: Interest		(33,313	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	183,371
Other accrued liabilities	$	21,821
Long-term operating lease liabilities	$	161,550

Summary of Lease Term and Discount Rate Under Operating Leases

Lease term and discount rate for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
Lease Term and Discount Rate	2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)		12.92
Weighted-average discount rate		3.41	%

Summary of Other Information Under Operating Leases

Other information for the Company’s operating leases in place for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
Other Information	March 31,
(in thousands)	2020
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	7,690
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease    liabilities	$	7,663

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to the three months ended March 31, 2020 and through April 24, 2020, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $273.77 per share for a total value of $31.1 million.

On April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.68 per share for the three months ending March 31, 2020. This dividend is payable on May 29, 2020 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on May 15, 2020.

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Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		84,870		84,253
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		678		1,396
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		85,548		85,649
Earnings per basic common share	$	1.75	$	2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.73	$	2.08

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Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Senior Unsecured Notes (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 04, 2020
5.25% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
5.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.75%
4.75% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.75%
5.375% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	5.375%
4.00% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	4.00%
3.625% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2030 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate	3.625%	3.625%

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Schedule of Gross Carrying and Accumulated Amortization Amounts Related to Company's Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	$ 861,605	$ 856,346
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(10,269)	(7,615)
Gross carrying value	851,336	848,731
Accumulated amortization excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	(600,727)	(588,811)
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	2,789	1,567
Accumulated amortization	(597,938)	(587,244)
Net carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	260,878	267,535
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	(7,480)	(6,048)
Net carrying value	253,398	261,487
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	356,700	356,700
Accumulated amortization excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	(237,115)	(231,665)
Net carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	119,585	125,035
Trademarks/Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	207,300	207,300
Accumulated amortization excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	(136,051)	(133,305)
Net carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	71,249	73,995
Technology/Software [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	268,978	263,719
Accumulated amortization excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	(213,156)	(209,878)
Net carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	55,822	53,841
Proprietary Data [Member]
Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	28,627	28,627
Accumulated amortization excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	(14,405)	(13,963)
Net carrying value excluding foreign exchange translation adjustment	$ 14,222	$ 14,664

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Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net - Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Computer & related equipment	$ 188,788	$ 185,794
Furniture & fixtures	13,120	12,478
Leasehold improvements	54,826	52,339
Work-in-process	3,779	8,667
Subtotal	260,513	259,278
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(174,235)	(168,570)
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	$ 86,278	$ 90,708

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Segment Information - Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 416,780	$ 371,381
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	181,046	166,186
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	17,756	15,983
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	198,802	182,169
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	65,061	55,207
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	87,929	76,635
Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	152,990	131,842
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	19,392	17,948
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	45,596	39,422
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 64,988	$ 57,370

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
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	132,797,535	132,419,412
Common stock, shares outstanding	83,709,132	84,794,930
Treasury shares	49,088,403	47,624,482

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per common share	$ 0.68	$ 0.58

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Equity Method Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments

12. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

In January 2020, MSCI entered into a strategic relationship with Burgiss, a global provider of investment decision support tools for private capital. The Company acquired a 40% non-controlling interest for $190.8 million, including capitalized costs, which is accounted for as an equity method investment with the Company’s share of Burgiss’ earnings being recognized in “Other expense (income), net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company is applying a policy election to recognize its share of Burgiss’ earnings on a three-month lag. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized any earnings or amortization related to its investment in Burgiss in the three months ended March 31, 2020. MSCI has also elected to apply the nature of the distribution approach to determine the classification of the distributions it receives from its equity method investees.

The Company’s investment substantially exceeds the Company’s share of the underlying equity of Burgiss. A portion of this excess, representing the excess of the fair value of Burgiss’ intangible assets over their book value, will be amortized into “Other expense (income), net” over the useful lives of the respective intangible assets.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The tables that follow present the disaggregated revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands):

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2020
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	139,840	$	124,065	$	40,520	$	304,425
Asset-based fees		100,196		—		—		100,196
Non-recurring		9,220		1,443		1,496		12,159
Total	$	249,256	$	125,508	$	42,016	$	416,780

	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019
	Segments
	Index		Analytics		All Other		Total
Revenue Types
Recurring subscriptions	$	127,674	$	120,110	$	34,580	$	282,364
Asset-based fees		81,808		—		—		81,808
Non-recurring		5,291		1,325		593		7,209
Total	$	214,773	$	121,435	$	35,173	$	371,381

Schedule of Change in Accounts Receivable and Deferred Revenue

The tables that follow present the change in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue between the dates indicated (in thousands):

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2019)	$	499,268		$	574,656
Closing (03/31/2020)		481,990			574,472
Increase/(decrease)	$	(17,278	)	$	(184	)

	Accounts receivable			Deferred revenue
Opening (12/31/2018)	$	473,433		$	537,977
Closing (03/31/2019)		427,099			524,988
Increase/(decrease)	$	(46,334	)	$	(12,989	)

Schedule of Remaining Performance Obligations

The remaining performance obligations for contracts that have a duration of greater than one year and the periods in which they are expected to be recognized are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
	2020
	(in thousands)
First 12-month period	$	357,086
Second 12-month period		163,329
Third 12-month period		65,213
Periods thereafter		13,392
Total	$	599,020

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Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Senior Unsecured Notes

The Company had an aggregate of $3,200.0 million in senior unsecured notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) outstanding at March 31, 2020, consisting of five discrete private offerings presented in the table below:

		Principal Amount Outstanding at		Carrying Value at		Carrying Value at		Fair Value at		Fair Value at
	Maturity Date	March 31, 2020		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in thousands)
Long-term debt
5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2024	November 15, 2024	$	-	$	-	$	297,835	$	-	$	309,225
5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2025	August 15, 2025		800,000		794,325		794,063		836,568		840,872
4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2026	August 1, 2026		500,000		495,754		495,587		498,050		525,800
5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2027	May 15, 2027		500,000		495,331		495,168		516,605		541,300
4.00% senior unsecured notes due 2029	November 15, 2029		1,000,000		989,546		989,273		994,180		1,018,820
3.625% senior unsecured notes due 2030	September 1, 2030		400,000		395,105		-		382,952		-
Total long-term debt		$	3,200,000	$	3,170,061	$	3,071,926	$	3,228,355	$	3,236,017

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Earnings Per Common Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share

4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income 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.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		84,870		84,253
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units		678		1,396
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		85,548		85,649
Earnings per basic common share	$	1.75	$	2.11
Earnings per diluted common share	$	1.73	$	2.08

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

8. LEASES

The Company recognized a total of $9.0 million and $7.3 million of operating lease expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The amounts associated with variable lease costs, short-term lease costs and sublease income were not material for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Future minimum commitments for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020, the interest and other relevant line items in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition are as follows:

Maturity of Lease Liabilities	Operating
(in thousands)	Leases
Remainder of 2020	$	20,352
2021		28,000
2022		24,497
2023		23,479
2024		18,254
Thereafter		102,102
Total lease payments	$	216,684
Less: Interest		(33,313	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	183,371
Other accrued liabilities	$	21,821
Long-term operating lease liabilities	$	161,550

Lease term and discount rate for the Company’s operating leases in place as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	As of
	March 31,
Lease Term and Discount Rate	2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)		12.92
Weighted-average discount rate		3.41	%

Other information for the Company’s operating leases in place for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
Other Information	March 31,
(in thousands)	2020
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	7,690
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease    liabilities	$	7,663

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Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Remaining Performance Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	12 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2021-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	12 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2022-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	12 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2023-04-01
Revenue Recognition [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period

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Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Change in Accounts Receivable and Deferred Revenue (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, balance	$ 481,990	$ 427,099	$ 499,268	$ 473,433
Accounts receivable, Increase/(decrease)	(17,278)	(46,334)
Deferred revenue	574,472	524,988	$ 574,656	$ 537,977
Deferred revenue, Increase/(decrease)	$ (184)	$ (12,989)

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Operating Revenue by Reportable Segment

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Index	$	249,256	$	214,773
Analytics		125,508		121,435
All Other		42,016		35,173
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

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
	March 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Index Adjusted EBITDA	$	183,586	$	152,211
Analytics Adjusted EBITDA		36,318		36,398
All Other Adjusted EBITDA		9,323		9,098
Total operating segment profitability		229,227		197,707
2016 Multi-Year PSUs grant payroll tax expense		—		15,389
Amortization of intangible assets		13,776		11,793
Depreciation and amortization of property,    equipment and leasehold improvements		7,567		7,850
Operating income		207,884		162,675
Other expense (income), net		45,035		34,383
Provision for income taxes		14,724		(49,900	)
Net income	$	148,125	$	178,192

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
	March 31,
		2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues
Americas:
United States	$	181,046	$	166,186
Other		17,756		15,983
Total Americas		198,802		182,169
Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"):
United Kingdom		65,061		55,207
Other		87,929		76,635
Total EMEA		152,990		131,842
Asia & Australia:
Japan		19,392		17,948
Other		45,596		39,422
Total Asia & Australia		64,988		57,370
Total	$	416,780	$	371,381

Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area

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
	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Long-lived assets
Americas:
United States	$	1,772,604	$	1,781,667
Other		5,065		6,398
Total Americas		1,777,669		1,788,065
EMEA:
United Kingdom		75,871		81,338
Other		36,116		36,433
Total EMEA		111,987		117,771
Asia & Australia:
Japan		363		398
Other		9,082		8,829
Total Asia & Australia		9,445		9,227
Total	$	1,899,101	$	1,915,063

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Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease, expense	$ 9.0	$ 7.3

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Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 29, 2019	May 01, 2018	Oct. 26, 2016
2016 Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares				$ 750,000,000.0
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount			$ 523,100,000
2018 Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares			$ 1,000,000,000.0
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 706,100,000
2019 Repurchase Program [Member]
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares		750,000,000.0
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 1,130,400,000	$ 1,456,100,000

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense	$ 14,724	$ (49,900)
Effective tax rate	9.00%	(38.90%)
Amounts effect on effective tax rate	$ 22,400	$ 77,800
Tax Impact of loss on debt extinguishment	2,600
Benefit related to revaluation of cost of deemed repatriation of foreign earnings	800
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefit	$ 11,200
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2006
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2019
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
2016 Multi-Year PSUs
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Excess tax benefit recognized upon vesting of restricted stock unit		66,600
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member] | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Amount of excess tax benefits recognition	$ 18,900	$ 9,800