Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 8% year over year, with subscription product revenue rising by 7% [10][34] - Adjusted diluted EPS grew by 9%, and there was a year-over-year margin expansion of 240 basis points [10][34] - The company returned over $900 million to shareholders through dividends and repurchases in the first quarter [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Market Intelligence revenue increased by 5%, with data analytics and insights products growing by 74% year over year [37] - Ratings revenue rose by 8%, with transaction revenue growing by 7% and non-transaction revenue increasing by 10% [41][42] - Commodity Insights revenue increased by 9%, driven by strong demand in Energy and Resource Data and Insight [43] - Mobility revenue grew by 9%, with dealer revenue increasing by 11% [46] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Build issuance increased by 9% year over year in the first quarter, driven by structured finance and bank loans [12] - Active users across Capital IQ platforms, Platts Connect, and Automotive Mastermind increased by 23% year over year [14] - The company expects build issuance to be approximately flat year over year, down from initial expectations of low single-digit growth [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced its intent to separate its Mobility division into a standalone public company, expected to be completed in 12 to 18 months [11][27] - The separation aims to maximize shareholder value and enhance strategic focus [27][29] - The company continues to innovate in product offerings and customer engagement strategies [11][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted unpredictable market movements, geopolitical risks, and regulatory fluidity impacting the operating environment [14][20] - There is optimism for long-term growth despite near-term headwinds, with recurring revenue accounting for approximately 75% of total revenue [18][19] - The company expects lower global GDP growth and slightly higher inflation than previously forecasted [21] Other Important Information - The company plans to host an Investor Day in November to provide updates on the separation and multiyear strategy [12][29] - The company integrated Visible Alpha data into Capital IQ Pro and launched an AI-powered tool for data ingestion [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timing and implications of the Mobility announcement - Management indicated that the decision was based on a thorough assessment and is expected to create long-term shareholder value [58][60] Question: Confidence in Market Intelligence revenue acceleration - Management expressed confidence due to stable retention rates and a strong sales pipeline, expecting stronger performance in the second half of the year [64][66] Question: Expense management levers - Management discussed monitoring headcount, incentive compensation, and third-party spending as key levers for managing expenses [70][72] Question: Issuance guidance and market conditions - Management expects build issuance to be flat for the year, with potential for opportunistic issuance despite market volatility [76][78] Question: Share count and M&A ambitions - Management confirmed no plans for transformative M&A, focusing instead on high-quality organic growth opportunities [83][84] Question: Performance of private credit ratings - Management noted strong demand for ratings in private credit, with expectations for moderate growth in the remainder of the year [88][89] Question: Holistic cost management approach - Management highlighted ongoing initiatives to simplify operations and improve productivity, indicating room for further cost optimization [92][95] Question: Customer behavior in subscription businesses - Management reported no major changes in customer behavior, with strong engagement and usage of subscription products [99][100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - MSCI reported organic revenue growth of 10%, adjusted EBITDA growth of 11%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of almost 14% in Q1 2025 [5][6] - The company repurchased $275 million worth of shares during Q1 and through April 21, reflecting confidence in the stock's value [6][24] - The retention rate was over 95%, with organic subscription run rate growth of 8% and asset-based fee revenue growth of 18% [6][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Among client segments, hedge funds achieved a 14% subscription run rate growth, while banks and broker dealers saw over 9% growth [11][12] - Wealth managers experienced a 15% subscription run rate growth, driven by index solutions and sustainability initiatives [13] - Asset owners delivered a 12% subscription run rate growth, with notable strength in analytics and private capital solutions [15] - The subscription run rate for analytics grew by 7%, while sustainability and climate solutions saw almost 10% growth [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-ETF AUM linked to MSCI indexes grew by 20% year-over-year, reaching nearly $3.9 trillion [20][70] - MSCI linked equity ETFs had an ending balance of $1.78 trillion, attracting nearly $42 billion of inflows [20] - The company captured approximately 45% of all inflows into products linked to MSCI DM ex US, EM, and all country exposures [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MSCI is focusing on enhancing its product offerings, particularly in custom indices and private capital solutions, to meet evolving client needs [8][16] - The company is integrating the Foxbury F9 platform to support custom indices, which is expected to drive further growth [7] - A partnership with Moody's was announced to develop independent credit risk assessments for private credit, enhancing MSCI's capabilities in this area [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver consistent financial results amid current market turmoil [10][24] - There is a noted shift in client sentiment towards international markets, which may benefit MSCI's asset-based fees [46][47] - The company is preparing for a range of possible market outcomes and has various levers to manage expenses based on market conditions [36][39] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for Q1 was 12.8%, with expectations for the remainder of the year to be in the range of 19% to 21% [25][26] - The company continues to face headwinds in the Real Assets segment due to client consolidation [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Selling environment and new sales - Management noted that there is currently no evidence of a change in purchasing habits or pipeline despite market volatility, with some deals expected to close in Q2 [29][30] Question: Downturn playbook and expense management - Management discussed their ability to adjust expenses based on market performance, with various levers available to manage costs effectively [36][39] Question: International investing trends - Management confirmed a marked change in client sentiment towards international markets, which could positively impact subscription sales [44][46] Question: Pricing trends for renewals and new sales - Pricing increases for new recurring sales were in line with previous years, with enhancements to existing solutions factored into pricing strategies [55][56] Question: Retention rates and future expectations - Retention rates remained strong, with a healthy rebound noted among hedge funds and banks, though caution was advised for the remainder of the year due to potential market volatility [78][80] Question: Growth expectations for analytics - Management indicated that while Q1 was not a period of significant turmoil, the need for analytics is expected to grow as clients seek more data and transparency [84][88] Question: Sustainability and climate segment growth - Management acknowledged a cyclical headwind in sustainability but remains optimistic about long-term growth driven by changing client demands and regulatory burdens [91][92]