MSCI shares fall as company raises expense forecast

• MSCI lifted its 2026 operating expense guidance to $1.54 billion-$1.58 billion from $1.49 billion-$1.53 billion.
• Asset-based fees from MSCI's index segment rose 26.6% to $233.1 million in the quarter ended June 30 from a year earlier.
• Operating expenses increased 9.2% to $379.5 million, driven by higher technology, market data, professional services and compensation costs, while interest expense rose nearly 48% due to higher debt levels.
• The data and analytics provider reported adjusted net income for the second quarter of $360 million, or $4.94 per share, in line with analyst estimate of $359.4 million, or $4.94 per share.
• The company's stock market indices serve as benchmarks for trillions of dollars in assets held by investment funds, pension plans and asset managers to guide investment decisions.

July 21 (Reuters) - MSCI raised its full-year operating expense forecast on Tuesday, citing acquisition-related costs, higher employee incentives and increased investment spending, sending the index provider's shares down more than 7% despite better-than-expected quarterly revenue.