MSCI (MSCI) doesn't possess the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.
During a recent investing conference held by Raymond James & Associates on March 3, 2025, MSCI (MSCI -0.99%) CFO Andy Wiechmann shared valuable insights about the company's position, growth initiatives, and future opportunities. For long-term investors, the discussion revealed important strategic elements about MSCI's business model and ability to capitalize on key trends in the investment industry.
I maintain a buy rating on MSCI due to improving buy-side sentiment, strong fund inflows, and growth in ESG and private assets. MSCI's 4Q24 revenue grew 7.7% y/y, with adj EPS up 13.6% y/y, driven by positive client purchasing behaviors and asset-based fee growth. MSCI's strategy to moderate price increases aims to maintain strong client relationships and ensure recurring revenue, supporting long-term growth in ESG and private assets.
MSCI's Q4 results missed revenue expectations, highlighting continued underperformance in international indexes and a tough demand environment for financial information services. Despite a strong long-term track record, MSCI's reliance on lower-quality businesses for growth and a demanding valuation make it less attractive compared to peers. MSCI's 2025 outlook indicates flat free cash flow and modest revenue growth, with little room for upside surprises, reinforcing a 'Hold' rating.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Ashish Sabadra reiterated the Outperform rating on MSCI Inc. MSCI with a price forecast of $675.
MSCI Inc. (NYSE:MSCI ) Q4 2024 Earnings Conference Call January 29, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Jeremy Ulan – Head-Investor Relations and Treasurer Henry Fernandez – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Baer Pettit – President and Chief Operating Officer Andy Wiechmann – Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Toni Kaplan – Morgan Stanley Manav Patnaik – Barclays Alex Kramm – UBS Ashish Sabadra – RBC Alexander Hess – JPMorgan Owen Lau – Oppenheimer Kelsey Zhu – Autonomous Scott Wurtzel – Wolfe Research Craig Huber – Huber Research Partners Faiza Alwy – Deutsche Bank George Tong – Goldman Sachs Russell Quelch – Redburn Atlantic David Motemaden – Evercore ISI Gregory Simpson – BNP Paribas Alex Hess – JPMorgan Operator Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the MSCI Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. As a reminder, this call is being recorded.
MSCI's fourth-quarter 2024 results benefit from strong growth in recurring subscription revenues.
MSCI (MSCI -5.37%), a leader in investment decision support tools, released mixed fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, Jan. 29. Adjusted EPS of $4.18 came in ahead of analysts' consensus projections of $3.96.
MSCI has outperformed its peers in recent years, delivering strong returns and demonstrating superior growth and operating efficiency. However, that success has also made the stock more expensive than peers on numerous metrics. MSCI's international exposure positions it well for potential capital redistribution towards global markets, contrasting with S&P Global's U.S.-centric revenue base.
While the top- and bottom-line numbers for MSCI (MSCI) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended December 2024, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.
MSCI (MSCI) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.18 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.96 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.68 per share a year ago.
MSCI (MSCI) possesses the right combination of the two key ingredients for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. Get prepared with the key expectations.