MSCI Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI) - **Industry**: Financial Services, specifically analytics and data solutions for investment management Key Points and Arguments GenAI and Efficiency - MSCI is optimistic about the potential of Generative AI (GenAI) to enhance efficiency and create new product opportunities [4][5] - Internal applications of GenAI have led to significant time savings, with 50%-60% reductions in code refactoring time [5] - AI Insights, a product allowing clients to query portfolio data using natural language, has been well received and is expected to drive client efficiency [6][7] Monetization Strategy - AI Insights will be bundled into existing products to enhance client retention and attract new sales, while also justifying pricing increases due to added value [10] - The demand for MSCI's data is expected to grow as clients increasingly utilize AI capabilities [12] Subscription Sales and Client Segments - Recent quarters have shown strong net new subscription sales, particularly in the analytics segment [13] - Client segmentation includes 40% asset managers, 20% hedge funds, 20% banks and broker-dealers, 15% asset owners, and 5% other [14] - Strategies include consolidating services with clients to reduce costs and improve business relationships [15][17] Private Assets and New Product Development - MSCI has launched a private credit factor model, completing its suite of private asset analytics [28] - The firm aims to address challenges in managing portfolios with significant private asset allocations, particularly during market corrections [30] Wealth Management Initiatives - MSCI is investing in the MSCI Wealth Manager tool to enhance portfolio construction and advisor workflows [21][22] - The integration of private asset data into wealth management solutions is a key focus area [23] Regional Growth Dynamics - The majority of hedge funds and broker-dealers are based in the US, influencing regional growth patterns [35] - Asia presents significant opportunities for asset owners, particularly in private asset management [36] Product Integration and Innovation - MSCI One is evolving into a comprehensive platform for accessing all MSCI content, including AI Insights and analytics [37][38] - The firm is focused on integrating various product lines to enhance client experience and operational efficiency [46] Pricing Strategy - MSCI employs a tailored pricing strategy based on the incremental value provided to clients, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach [39] Equity Factor Models - There is a robust roadmap for equity factor models, with a focus on transient factors related to current events [42] Additional Important Insights - MSCI emphasizes an open architecture philosophy, distributing content through various channels to reduce friction for clients [38] - The firm is committed to cross-pollination of capabilities across product lines to enhance client solutions [46]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - MSCI reported organic revenue growth of 9%, adjusted EBITDA growth of 10%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of over 15% in Q3 2025 [4] - The company repurchased $1.25 billion worth of shares in Q3, bringing year-to-date repurchases to over $1.5 billion, with an additional $3 billion authorized for future buybacks [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The index franchise achieved recurrent net new subscription sales growth of 27%, with 43% growth in the Americas, and total AUM in investment products linked to MSCI indices reached $6.4 trillion [5] - Analytics delivered recurrent net new sales growth of 16%, driven by strong adoption of risk tools and equity models by multi-strategy hedge funds [6] - Subscription run rate growth for wealth managers was nearly 11%, while asset owners posted 9% growth, and banks and broker dealers achieved 9% growth [11][12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equity ETFs linked to MSCI indices captured $46 billion of inflows during Q3, with strong demand for MSCI Developed Markets ex U.S. and MSCI Emerging Markets Indexes [16] - The retention rate for sustainability and climate solutions was almost 94%, reflecting the essential nature of these tools [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MSCI is focusing on expanding its presence in private credit and enhancing its client segmentation strategy to deepen penetration in existing segments while targeting new client segments [9][10] - The company is leveraging AI to enhance product offerings and operational efficiency, with a goal to significantly increase the scale of datasets and improve margins [39][61] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about long-term opportunities and the ability to drive growth from recent innovations and investments, particularly in private assets and wealth management [15][34] - The company noted a stable market environment with consistent dynamics, particularly in the Americas, and highlighted a healthy product pipeline supporting strong client engagement [45][46] Other Important Information - MSCI launched a private credit factor model and a new global taxonomy for private assets, aiming to provide consistent standards and improve transparency in private markets [7][8] - The company is seeing strong momentum in new product development, particularly in AI-driven solutions, which are expected to enhance revenue growth and operational efficiency [40][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Strategy around private credit - Management is bullish on private credit, emphasizing the need for tools to demonstrate creditworthiness and market risk, and highlighted innovations in credit assessments and private credit indices [22][23][24][26] Question: New products and marketing efforts - The strategy includes helping the active asset management industry create new products, particularly in active ETFs, and expanding into new client segments [28][29][30][32][34] Question: AI opportunities and cost savings - AI is expected to dramatically increase margins by enabling faster product creation and reducing operational costs, with significant investments in AI projects [37][61] Question: Pipeline and sales cycle for Q4 - The overall environment is stable, with a healthy product pipeline and strong client engagement, particularly in index and analytics [44][45] Question: Non-ETF and fixed income business performance - Non-ETF revenue growth can be affected by lumpiness, while fixed income AUM is around $90 billion, with ongoing focus on driving adoption and innovation [49][51] Question: Active ETFs economics and competitive advantages - Active ETFs are seen as a growing category, providing new revenue opportunities without cannibalizing existing business [56][58] Question: Competitive moat against new entrants - MSCI's proprietary data, trusted models, and established client relationships create significant barriers to entry for potential competitors [70][74][76] Question: Performance in EMEA region - There has been sluggishness in EMEA, but product development efforts are global, and innovations are expected to drive growth in the region [78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - MSCI reported revenue growth of over 9% in Q2 2025, adjusted EBITDA growth of over 10%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of almost 15% [7] - Free cash flow exceeded $300 million, with $286 million worth of shares repurchased year-to-date at an average price of $557 per share [7] - Total run rate growth was 11%, driven by record AUM levels in ETF products linked to MSCI indices, and asset-based fee run rate growth was 17% [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription run rate growth was double-digit across banks, broker-dealers, wealth managers, hedge funds, and asset owners, with notable growth of 10% in banks and broker-dealers, 12% in hedge funds, and 17% in wealth managers [15][17][20] - The index and asset-based fee franchise was highlighted as a key growth engine, with total equity index ETF AUM linked to MSCI indices surpassing $2 trillion for the first time [9] - Private assets saw a run rate growth of nearly 13%, with significant product launches enhancing capabilities in private capital solutions [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - MSCI captured more indexed equity ETF cash flows than any other index provider during the quarter, with total index ETF and non-ETF AUM balances tracking MSCI indices reaching $6 trillion [9] - Equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes experienced $49 billion of inflows, capturing 29% of all inflows into indexed equity ETFs [26] - Subscription run rate growth for sustainability and climate solutions was 11%, with 18% growth in Europe [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MSCI is focused on expanding its capabilities in private assets and enhancing its integrated franchise to create powerful network effects for clients [12][14] - The company is adapting its tools to capture new opportunities in sustainability and climate, despite current cyclical slowdowns [13] - There is a strong emphasis on innovation and developing new solutions for diverse client segments, particularly in the fast money segment [8][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the rotation of assets from the U.S. market to international markets, which is expected to boost the asset-based fee business [36] - The company anticipates that the current dynamics in the market will persist for the next several quarters, with a focus on maintaining and enhancing retention rates [32][44] - Management acknowledged challenges in the active asset management industry but emphasized the potential for growth in non-active segments and the wealth management sector [42][65] Other Important Information - MSCI's retention rate for private assets remained stable at slightly over 91% [31] - The company is seeing promising growth potential among insurance companies for products supporting index-linked annuities and climate tools [24] - MSCI's guidance remains unchanged across all categories, indicating confidence in its financial model [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential help from asset flows into international markets - Management noted that the rotation of assets from the U.S. to international markets is a significant boost for the asset-based fee business, with $6 trillion of client assets indexed to MSCI indices [36] Question: Accelerating growth in subscription business - Management indicated that to accelerate total subscription run rate, non-active asset managers need to grow faster, and they are focusing on creating new products and enhancing client engagement [42][44] Question: Impact of consolidation on results - Management acknowledged ongoing consolidation trends but expressed confidence that it would not significantly impact forecasts or pipelines [48] Question: Retention rates in analytics and sustainability - Management explained that retention rates can be lumpy and noted elevated cancels from hedge funds and corporate advisors, but overall retention with asset managers remains solid at around 96% [55] Question: Sales environment and outlook - Management characterized the sales environment as consistent with recent quarters, with a healthy pipeline of products and client engagement [60] Question: Demand for custom indexes - Management remains confident in the growth potential for custom indexes, despite slight fluctuations in quarterly numbers [70] Question: Positioning with active ETFs - Management highlighted significant growth opportunities in active ETFs, with ongoing dialogues with active asset managers and a focus on enhancing product offerings [75]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - MSCI reported revenue growth of over 9% in Q2 2025, adjusted EBITDA growth of over 10%, and adjusted earnings per share growth of almost 15% [6][24] - Free cash flow exceeded $300 million year-to-date, with $286 million worth of shares repurchased at an average price of $557 per share [6][24] - Total run rate growth was 11%, driven by record AUM levels in ETF products linked to MSCI indices, and asset-based fee run rate growth was 17% [6][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription run rate growth was double-digit across various client segments, including 10% for banks and broker dealers, 12% for hedge funds, and 17% for wealth managers [14][19] - The index and asset-based fee franchise was identified as a key growth engine, with strong ABF run rate growth reflecting the importance of MSCI indices in global investing [7][24] - Private assets saw a run rate growth of nearly 13%, with significant product launches enhancing capabilities [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total equity index ETF AUM linked to MSCI indices surpassed $2 trillion for the first time, driving total AUM balances to $6 trillion [8][24] - Equity ETFs linked to MSCI indexes experienced $49 billion of inflows during Q2, capturing 29% of all inflows into indexed equity ETFs [24] - Indexed equity ETFs linked to MSCI Developed Markets ex U.S. Indexes captured $32 billion, representing over 50% of all flows into DM ex U.S. indexed equity ETFs [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - MSCI is focused on expanding its capabilities in private capital solutions and enhancing its product offerings to drive adoption across the investment community [10][11] - The company aims to leverage its integrated franchise to create powerful network effects for clients, particularly in sustainability and climate solutions [12][13] - MSCI is adapting its tools to capture new opportunities in the sustainability space despite current cyclical slowdowns [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of the company, emphasizing the importance of asset-based fees and the transformation towards non-active asset management client segments [60][62] - The current dynamics in the market are expected to persist for the next several quarters, with a focus on maintaining and enhancing retention rates across client segments [28][51] - Management highlighted the ongoing demand for climate solutions and the need for banks and insurance companies to understand climate risks [92][94] Other Important Information - MSCI's retention rate for private assets remained stable at slightly over 91% [28] - The company completed its largest deal ever for MSCI Wealth Manager during the quarter, indicating strong demand for unified solutions [19][24] - MSCI is seeing promising growth potential among insurance companies, particularly for products supporting index-linked annuities and climate tools [21][22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Potential help from asset flows into international markets - Management noted that the rotation of assets from the U.S. to international markets is a significant boost for the asset-based fee business, with $6 trillion of client assets indexed to MSCI indices [34] Question: Accelerating growth for asset managers - Management indicated that to accelerate total subscription run rate, non-active asset managers need to grow faster, and they are focusing on creating new products and enhancing sales efforts [39][40] Question: Impact of consolidation on results - Management acknowledged ongoing consolidation in the industry but does not expect it to significantly impact results in the near term [45] Question: Retention rates and outlook - Management explained that retention rates can be lumpy, with recent lower retention in analytics and sustainability due to client events and budget pressures [50][51] Question: Sales environment and outlook - Management characterized the sales environment as consistent with recent quarters, with a healthy pipeline of products and sustained favorable market dynamics [55][56] Question: Demand for custom indexes - Management remains confident in the growth opportunity for custom indexes, despite slight fluctuations in quarterly numbers [66] Question: Active ETFs and market positioning - Management highlighted significant growth opportunities in active ETFs, with ongoing dialogues with active asset managers [72][73] Question: Cost guidance and market assumptions - Management reiterated that expense guidance remains unchanged, with AUM levels expected to influence costs towards the middle of the guidance range [78][79] Question: Growth opportunities in fixed income and wealth management - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth rates in fixed income and wealth management, with ongoing investments in capabilities [82][83] Question: Deceleration in hedge fund subscription growth - Management noted that the hedge fund segment is inherently lumpy, and recent deceleration is not indicative of long-term trends [86][87] Question: Acceleration of non-active subscription growth - Management indicated that significant opportunities exist in the fast money segment and wealth management, with ongoing efforts to prioritize and build up these areas [90][92]