Is MSCI Stock Outperforming the Nasdaq?

New York-based MSCI Inc. (MSCI) provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. With a market cap of $43.2 billion, the company operates under four segments: Index, Analytics, ESG and Climate, and All other- Private Assets.

Companies worth $10 billion or more are typically referred to as "large-cap stocks." MSCI fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold, reflecting its substantial size and influence in the Financial Data & Stock Exchanges industry. The company benefits from operating widely-known indexes including MSCI Global Equity Indexes, MSCI Custom Indexes, MSCI Factor Indexes, MSCI ESG Indexes, MSCI Real Assets Indexes, and Thematic Indexes.

However, the stock has retreated 13.2% from its 52-week high of $642.45 touched on Dec. 12, 2024. Shares of MSCI have grown 2.3% over the past three months, underperforming the broader Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 12.9% rise over the same time frame.

Shares of MSCI have risen 15.3% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming $NASX’s 14.7% returns over the same time frame. However, MSCI stock is down 7% on a YTD basis, underperforming $NASX’s 2.1% uptick. 

MSCI has been trading below its 200-day moving average since early April but above its 50-day moving average since early May.

MSCI stock grew marginally following the release of its strong Q1 2025 earnings on Apr. 22. The company reported a 9.7% year-over-year increase in its revenue to $745.8 million, mainly driven by growth in recurring subscription revenues and asset-based fees, and surpassed the Street’s estimates. Moreover, its operating income rose 11.1% from the prior-year quarter to $377 million, with an operating margin of 50.6%. MSCI’s adjusted EPS for the quarter rose 13.6% year-over-year to $4.00 and beat the consensus estimates by 3.4%.

Its peer, Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN), has grown 2.7% in 2025 and 2.1% over the past year, lagging behind the stock.

Analysts remain moderately optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 20 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $628.50 implies a premium of 12.7% from the current market prices.