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The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®)
The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®)
Explore the GICS structure by clicking below on the Interactive tool:
Interactive Assets
Sector
Industry Group
Industry
Learn more
Learn more:
- S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MSCI ANNOUNCE GLOBAL INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION STANDARD (GICS®) ADVISORY PANEL IN 2020
- GICS Structure Change – Summary and Impact on MSCI Models and Applications (Sept 24, 2018)
- The new GICS Communication Services sector paper (Sept 14, 2018)
- List of select companies’ changing due to revisions to the GICS structure in 2018 (As of Jan 11, 2018)
- Revisions to The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) structure in 2018 (As of Nov 15, 2017)
What we offer
- In 1999, MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices developed the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS), seeking to offer an efficient investment tool to capture the breadth, depth and evolution of industry sectors.
- GICS is a four-tiered, hierarchical industry classification system.
- Companies are classified quantitatively and qualitatively. Each company is assigned a single GICS classification at the Sub-Industry level according to its principal business activity. MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices use revenues as a key factor in determining a firm’s principal business activity.
- Earnings and market perception, however, are also recognized as important and relevant information for classification purposes, and are taken into account during the annual review process.
Find out more about the GICS structure & sub-industry definitions.
Why we’re a better choice
- GICS is a common global classification standard used by thousands of market participants across all major groups involved in the investment process: asset managers, brokers (institutional and retail), custodians, consultants, research teams and stock exchanges
- Standardized industry definitions are applied to companies globally
- The structure precisely reflects the current state of industries in global investment markets
- The classification consists of four levels of analysis, ranging from the most general sector to the most specialized sub-industry
- Annual reviews are conducted by MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices to ensure that the structure remains fully representative of today’s global markets
How our offering helps clients
GICS enables clients to:
- Capture and assess the impact of global, regional or local industry trends on a portfolio
- Compare and report on industry sector exposures versus peers or benchmarks
- Pinpoint industry investment opportunities across developed and emerging markets
- Analyze sector and industry contributions to portfolio performance
- Construct consistently defined global or regional sector-based and sector rotation strategies
GICS Annual Review and Consultations
Jan 11, 2018:
S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MSCI ANNOUNCE SELECT LIST OF COMPANIES CHANGING DUE TO REVISIONS TO THE GICS® STRUCTURE IN 2018
Nov 15, 2017:
S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MSCI ANNOUNCE REVISIONS TO THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION STANDARD (GICS®) STRUCTURE IN 2018
Jul 11, 2017:
Consultation On Potential Changes To The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) Structure In 2018
Jun 1, 2015:
Consultation On Potential Changes To The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) Structure In 2016
Nov 10, 2014:
S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI Announce Revisions to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) Structure in 2016
Jun 2, 2014:
GICS Consultation Paper - 2015
Official Translations of GICS Structure Effective Oct 1, 2018
Historical GICS Structures
GICS Methodology
GICS sector definitions
GICS sector definitions
Covering Energy, Materials, Industrials, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care, Financials, Information Technology, Real Estate, Communication Services and Utilities Sector.
GICS overview
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