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International Equity Indices
MSCI Barra provides global equity indices, which, over the last 35+ years, have become the most widely
used international equity benchmarks by institutional investors. MSCI Barra constructs global equity
benchmark indices that contribute to the investment process by serving as relevant and accurate
performance benchmarks and effective research tools, and as the basis for various investment vehicles.
As such, the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to fulfill the investment needs of a wide variety of
global institutional market participants. In constructing these indices, MSCI Barra consistently applies
its index construction and maintenance methodology across 23 developed, 25 emerging and 22 frontier markets*.
This consistent approach makes it possible to aggregate individual country and industry indices to
create meaningful composite, regional, sector and industry benchmarks.
Over 2,100 organizations worldwide subscribe to MSCI Equity Index products.
Over USD 3 trillion is estimated to be benchmarked to MSCI indices globally, according to MSCI Barra estimates.
Products include:
MSCI International Equity Indices are available in local currency and USD, and with or without dividends reinvested.
* Saudi Arabia is currently not included in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index but is part of the MSCI GCC Countries Index
US Equity Indices
In 2003, MSCI launched a new family of
US Equity Indices to
provide a much broader and deeper coverage of the US equity market. The new index series reflects the
full breadth of investment opportunities within the US equity markets by capitalization size, value and
growth investment styles and sector groups.
By design, the MSCI US Equity Indices offer:
- More accurate representation of the US equity market and segments
- More frequent index reviews
- Robust value and growth style methodology
- Float weighted
- Transparent methodology
- More accurate representation of the investment process of size and style managers via unique buffer rules
- GICS®
- Longest GICS sector history available in the market
- Lower index turnover via unique buffer rules
- Consistency with MSCI Global Equity Index Series
Hedge Fund Indices
- Hedge Fund Indices & Database
Leveraging its unique understanding of the institutional asset management environment and its
expertise in creating and managing global benchmarks, MSCI has developed a family of hedge fund
indices based on a comprehensive classification system and a growing fund database.
- Hedge Invest Index
Launched in 2003, the MSCI Hedge Invest Index consists of a diverse sample of hedge
funds that represent a broad range of hedge fund strategies and have weekly liquidity. The index
may be licensed for the creation of index linked financial products.
Global Industry Classification Standard
In late 1999, MSCI, in collaboration with Standard & Poor's, introduced
the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®). The GICS is designed to ease the investment research
and management process for financial professionals worldwide by providing the most up to date and detailed
security classification. The global investment community has overwhelmingly accepted the GICS as the new
classification standard.
- GICS Direct
GICS Direct is a joint product offering from MSCI Barra and Standard & Poor's. It provides more than 36,000 company
classifications (over 40,000 securities) worldwide in accordance with the GICS®.
Distribution
MSCI Barra delivers index and security level data through more than
50 third party financial information and analytics software providers. In addition, MSCI Barra distributes its index data directly to clients
in electronic and print products.
Timeline: Major Developments
| 1969
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Developed Market Series (DM)
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| 1987
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Emerging Market Series (EM)
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| 1988
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GDP Weighted Indices
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| 1995
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All Country Series (DM + EM countries)
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| 1997
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Value & Growth Indices
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| 1998
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Small Cap Indices, Real Time Indices (Taiwan and Singapore)
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| 1999
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Euro Equity Indices, Real Time Equity Indices (Euro, Pan-Euro, Europe, EMU and 15 European Countries)
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| 2000
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Zhong Hua and Golden Dragon Equity Indices
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| 2001
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All Country Sectors, Real Time Equity Indices (all DM regions, countries and sectors), GICS Direct
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| 2002
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Real Time Equity Indices (all EM & AC regions, countries and sectors), Hedge Fund
Indices & Database, Final Transition to Free Float Adjusted Market Capitalization
for MSCI Equity Index Series
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| 2003
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Hedge Invest Index, US Equity Indices, 10/40 Equity Indices
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| 2005
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MSCI BRIC Index, MSCI KOKUNAI Japan Equity Indices and MSCI China A Indices
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| 2006
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MSCI GCC Countries Indices, MSCI China A Value & Growth Indices |
| 2007
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MSCI Global Islamic Indices
MSCI High Dividend Yield Indices
MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
MSCI Frontier Markets Indices
MSCI Asia APEX 50 Index
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| 2008
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MSCI Agriculture & Food Chain Indices
MSCI Commodity Producers Indices
MSCI Equal Weighted Indices
MSCI Global Currency Indices
MSCI Infrastructure Indices
MSCI Minimum Volatility Indices
MSCI Short & Leveraged Indices
Final transition to Global Investment Market Indices Methodology for MSCI International Equity Indices
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