MSCI (NYSE:MSCI) Shares Gap Down Following Weak Earnings

MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI) shares gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday following a weaker than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $625.11, but opened at $561.00. MSCI shares last traded at $556.5490, with a volume of 271,770 shares traded.

The technology company reported $4.94 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.99 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $867.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $870.71 million. MSCI had a net margin of 40.74% and a negative return on equity of 65.48%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.17 EPS.

MSCI Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $2.05 per share. This represents a $8.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. MSCI’s dividend payout ratio is presently 46.83%.

MSCI News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting MSCI this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MSCI posted solid year-over-year growth in Q2, with revenue up 12.2% and adjusted EPS up 18.5%, while some coverage said it beat earnings and revenue estimates. MSCI Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter and Six Months 2026
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly dividend of $2.05 per share, reinforcing cash-return strength for shareholders.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts still maintain generally bullish long-term price targets, with a recent JPMorgan raise to $742 and a median target around $710.
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider and institutional trading data was mixed, with CEO Henry Fernandez buying shares while some executives and large funds reduced exposure.
• Negative Sentiment: The main drag on the stock was the market’s reaction to MSCI missing some consensus estimates and, more importantly, lifting 2026 operating expense, EBITDA expense, interest expense, and depreciation guidance, which raises concerns about margin pressure. MSCI slides as stronger Q2 results are overshadowed by a higher 2026 expense outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Several market recaps described the post-earnings move as a sharp selloff, with investors punishing the stock despite respectable operating performance. Why MSCI Stock Is Plummeting Lower Today

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MSCI. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of MSCI from $700.00 to $742.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of MSCI from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $690.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of MSCI from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $650.00 to $700.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $700.00 price objective on shares of MSCI in a report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and eleven have given a Buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $716.42.

Insider Activity at MSCI

In other news, insider Alvise J. Munari sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $592.04, for a total transaction of $5,920,400.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 23,548 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,941,357.92. This represents a 29.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 3.76% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of MSCI

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of MSCI by 341.7% in the fourth quarter. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC now owns 53 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of MSCI during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MSCI in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in MSCI in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.97% of the company’s stock.

MSCI Trading Down 10.4%

The firm has a market cap of $40.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.00, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.24. The company’s 50-day moving average is $597.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $577.04.

MSCI Company Profile

MSCI Inc is a global provider of investment decision support tools and services for the financial industry. The company is best known for its family of market indexes, which are widely used as benchmarks by asset managers and as the basis for exchange-traded funds and other passive products. In addition to index construction and licensing, MSCI offers portfolio analytics, risk models, factor and performance attribution tools, and a suite of data and technology solutions designed to support portfolio management and trading.

Beyond traditional indexing and risk analytics, MSCI has expanded into environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and ratings, offering data, scores and screening tools that help investors integrate sustainability considerations into investment processes.