MSCI slides after quarterly results disappoint, annual expense forecast raise

Separately, MSCI boosted its FY 2026 operating expense outlook to between $1.54 billion and $1.58 billion, compared with its prior forecast of $1.49 billion to $1.53 billion.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Ashish Sabadra said: "The expense guidance raise was likely due to the company executing on its upturn playbook with solid ABF (asset-based-fee) growth."

Seventeen of 20 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, two rate it "hold" and one rates it "sell"; the median price target is $710, according to data compiled by LSEG. As of the last close, MSCI stock was up 9% year to date.

Index provider MSCI's shares fell 11.7% to $552 in premarket trading after the company reported quarterly results that disappointed investors.

Raymond James analyst Patrick O'Shaughnessy said MSCI's second-quarter results were a bit disappointing relative to Street expectations, with revenue, EPS and net recurring sales all missing consensus slightly.

Clear Street analyst Owen Lau said: "It was a mixed quarter, but key headline metrics were below expectation, which could weigh on shares."