MSCI MSCI is set to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 20, 2026.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is currently pegged at $4.99 per share, which has decreased 0.39% over the past 30 days. The figure indicates an increase of 11.63% year over year.
The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $880.29 million, suggesting an increase of 10.95% from the year-ago quarter’s reported numbers.
MSCI’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 1.85%.
MSCI Inc Price and EPS Surprise
MSCI Inc price-eps-surprise | MSCI Inc Quote
Let’s see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors Likely to Have Influenced Q3 Performance
MSCI's third-quarter 2026 results are expected to benefit from strong demand for its index solutions, growing asset-based fees and expanding adoption across institutional investors. The company’s Index business continues to gain traction among hedge funds, traders and asset managers, supported by rising demand for customized indices and systematic investment strategies. In the second quarter of 2026, Index subscription run rate grew more than 11%, while recurring net new sales increased 41% year over year, reflecting strong client engagement.
Growth in asset-based fees is expected to remain a key driver of MSCI's third-quarter performance. Continued inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to MSCI indices and higher assets under management should support revenues. In the second quarter of 2026, asset-based fee run rate increased 25% year over year to $948 million, supported by nearly $40 billion in ETF inflows. Management also highlighted exceptional ETF inflows during the initial weeks of the third quarter.
MSCI’s third-quarter performance is expected to have benefited from accelerating momentum in Private Capital Solutions and Analytics. Private Capital Solutions subscription run rate grew more than 16% in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting demand for Private Capital Intel, Total Plan Manager and transparency solutions. Growing adoption of multi-asset-class portfolio analytics, factor solutions and private market data among pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and asset managers is expected to have driven growth during the to-be-reported quarter. The company’s strategic partnership with UBS is also expected to have expanded opportunities in wealth management.
However, MSCI’s third-quarter 2026 performance is expected to have been hurt by persistent weakness in its Sustainability business, particularly in the Americas, where client cancellations and reduced spending remain significant headwinds. Management expects recurring net new sales in the Sustainability and Climate segment to be roughly flat to slightly negative. Rising operating expenses, acquisition-related costs, higher compensation accruals, and increased interest expenses are also expected to pressure profitability.
What Our Model Says
Per the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy), or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. But that’s not the exact case here.
MSCI has an Earnings ESP of -0.22% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks to Consider
Here are some other companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle:
Robinhood Markets HOOD has an Earnings ESP of +3.51% and a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Robinhood Markets shares have plunged 10.6% in the year-to-date period. Robinhood Markets is likely to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, 2026.
First Busey BUSE has an Earnings ESP of +2.68% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.
First Busey shares have gained 21.7% in the year-to-date period. First Busey is set to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 27, 2026.
S&T Bancorp STBA has an Earnings ESP of +1.22% and a Zacks Rank #2.
S&T Bancorp shares have gained 21.9% in the year-to-date period. S&T Bancorp is likely to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, 2026.
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MSCI Inc (MSCI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).