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Compared to Estimates, MSCI (MSCI) Q3 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

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MSCI (MSCI - Free Report) reported $892 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 12.4%. EPS of $5.11 for the same period compares to $4.47 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.3% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $880.58 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $4.98, the EPS surprise was +2.61%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.

Here is how MSCI performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
  • Period-End AUM in ETFs linked to MSCI equity indexes: $2.21 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $2.91 billion.
  • Index Run Rate - Recurring subscriptions: $1.11 billion compared to the $1.1 billion average estimate based on three analysts.
  • All Other - Private Assets Run Rate: $310.9 million versus $308.75 million estimated by three analysts on average.
  • Index Retention Rate: 97.1% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 96%.
  • Operating Revenues- Sustainability and Climate: $93.7 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $92.23 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +4%.
  • Operating Revenues- Asset-based fees - Total: $246.6 million versus $241.43 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +24.9% change.
  • Operating Revenues- Analytics: $191 million versus $194.2 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.9% change.
  • Operating Revenues- All Other - Private Assets: $74.7 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $74.67 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +6.8%.
  • Operating Revenues- Index: $532.6 million versus $521.64 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +18.1% change.
  • Operating Revenues- Index- Non-recurring: $16.5 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $11.9 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +49%.
  • Operating Revenues- Index- Asset-based fees: $246.6 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $241.43 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +24.9%.
  • Operating Revenues- Index- Recurring subscriptions: $269.5 million versus $268.64 million estimated by three analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +11.1% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for MSCI here>>>

Shares of MSCI have returned +0.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

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