Build a benchmark that protects your best ideas
See how a Head of Research can use MSCI Custom Indexes to test, refine and validate proprietary signals without exposing the methodology behind them.
A space to test ideas before they become benchmarks
You've identified a promising new signal, but validating it means working across multiple datasets, factor models and simulation environments. Throughout the process, your methodology needs to remain confidential until it's ready to become a product.
When the signal is finally verified, you need a clear path from research to production, without giving away your competitive edge.
- Internal backtesting only tells part of the story.
- Signal validation becomes more complex as research moves across multiple environments.
- Workflows become more exposed as ideas move toward production.
MSCI Custom Indexes deliver secure simulations
Gain the upstream capabilities your research team needs: proprietary factor models, sustainability and climate datasets, and simulation tools designed for secure signal creation and validation.
These build on the same research foundation that powers MSCI’s standard indexes, giving you access to depth and granularity that goes beyond published benchmarks. When a signal validates, MSCI helps you formalize it into a rules-based custom index that protects your methodology.
- Advanced simulation capabilities provide the security to design and test in-house while keeping proprietary methodology safe.
- Deep sustainability, climate, factor and fundamental data across 39,000+ securities available for backtesting.
- Complex factor model integration (long/short, multi-factor, Barra-optimized) supported at index-grade production quality.
Now, your signals stay private
The pathway from research to index product becomes seamless. Your team securely tests and validates using MSCI’s upstream capabilities.
When a signal is ready, it transitions into a custom index that carries the same institutional governance and infrastructure as MSCI’s standard indexes, supporting allocator and distributor confidence.
- The research-to-index pathway is streamlined: validate upstream, index downstream.
- The index you simulated is the index you license.
- Confidentiality is designed into the process, so your methodology stays secure.
Dive deeper into custom indexes
Make your mark. Build an index.
Standard indexes remain the foundation for measuring the market. When your research calls for something more specific, a custom index adds the confidentiality and precision your signal requires.
Learn how custom indexes solve different challenges
Head of Asset Allocation
Allocations can look right on paper — until they run against real exposure. See how you can test benchmark configurations before committing capital.
Head of In-House Investments
Bringing mandates in-house can introduce new risk and raise more questions. Learn how to transition with confidence while maintaining governance.
Portfolio Manager
The wrong index can distort your view of risk and results. See how you can benchmark performance against real portfolio behavior.
Product Developer
Great ideas can lose momentum when launches take too long. Learn how to bring differentiated products to market quickly without sacrificing rigor.
Chief Investment Officer
Strong governance starts long before the board meeting. Learn how to build it into your index from the beginning.
Structured Products
Bring structured products to market faster with indexes built around your strategy. Learn how to customize with confidence.
Need an index that protects your research?Let's build it together.
* Data as of June 30, 2026. All ETP data sourced from LSEG Data & Analytics and MSCI internal data.