MSCI Stock Outlook: Is Wall Street Bullish or Bearish?

New York-based MSCI Inc. (MSCI) is a provider of critical decision support tools and solutions for the global investment community. Valued at a market cap of $43.3 billion, the company operates through four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All Other-Private Assets.

Shares of MSCI have outperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. MSCI has soared 10.8% over this period, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 9.8%. However, shares of MSCI are down 6.7% on a YTD basis, underperforming SPX’s marginal dip during the same time frame.

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Looking closer, MSCI has lagged behind the Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF Fund’s (XLF) 19.2% surge over the past 52 weeks and 4.1% return on a YTD basis.

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MSCI stock recovered marginally after the release of its strong Q1 2025 earnings on Apr. 22. The company posted revenue of $745.8 million, up 9.7% year-over-year, driven by growth in recurring subscription revenues and asset-based fees, partially offset by a decline in non-recurring revenues. The figure also surpassed Street estimates of $741 million. Its operating income rose 11.1% from the prior-year quarter to $377 million, with an operating margin of 50.6%. Adjusted EPS came in at $4, up 13.6% year-over-year, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $3.87. 

For the fiscal year ending in December 2025, analysts expect MSCI’s adjusted EPS to increase 10.5% year-over-year to $16.80. The company's earnings surprise history is strong. It beat the consensus estimates in the past four quarters. 

Among the 20 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on 12 “Strong Buy” ratings, two “Moderate Buys,” five “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”

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On Apr. 16, RBC Capital Markets reaffirmed MSCI's price target to $675 while maintaining an “Outperform” rating on the stock. 

As of writing, MSCI is trading below the mean price target of $629.75. The Street-high price target of $679 implies a potential upside of 21.2% from the current price levels.