MSCI Inc $MSCI Shares Purchased by Junto Capital Management LP

Key Points

• Junto Capital Management increased its MSCI position by 128.9% in the second quarter, owning 214,134 shares worth approximately $119.9 million. Institutional investors collectively hold 89.97% of MSCI’s stock.
• MSCI’s latest quarterly results came in slightly below expectations, with EPS of $4.94 versus $4.99 expected and revenue of $867 million versus $870.71 million estimated; revenue nevertheless grew 12.2% year over year.
• The company paid a quarterly dividend of $2.05 per share, equivalent to an annualized $8.20 dividend and a 1.5% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Buy” rating with an average price target of $709.50.

Junto Capital Management LP grew its position in MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI - Free Report) by 128.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 214,134 shares of the technology company's stock after purchasing an additional 120,584 shares during the period. MSCI makes up approximately 2.1% of Junto Capital Management LP's holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Junto Capital Management LP owned 0.29% of MSCI worth $119,924,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MSCI. Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new position in MSCI in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in MSCI during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in MSCI during the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Compound Global Advisors LLC acquired a new position in MSCI during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of MSCI in the fourth quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.97% of the company's stock.

MSCI Stock Performance

MSCI opened at $555.30 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $40.37 billion, a PE ratio of 30.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.22. The stock's fifty day moving average is $579.03 and its 200-day moving average is $575.42. MSCI Inc has a one year low of $501.08 and a one year high of $644.77.

MSCI (NYSE:MSCI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The technology company reported $4.94 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.99 by ($0.05). The firm had revenue of $867.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $870.71 million. MSCI had a net margin of 40.74% and a negative return on equity of 55.19%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.17 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that MSCI Inc will post 19.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

MSCI Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th were given a dividend of $2.05 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 14th. This represents a $8.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. MSCI's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.86%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MSCI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on MSCI from $730.00 to $760.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of MSCI from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $690.00 target price on shares of MSCI in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. UBS Group set a $615.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and issued a $700.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and eleven have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MSCI has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $709.50.

About MSCI

MSCI Inc is a global provider of investment decision-support tools and services for institutional investors, asset managers, wealth managers, banks and other financial institutions. The company is best known for its indexes, which are used to benchmark portfolios and support the design of investment products such as exchange-traded funds and other index-based strategies.

In addition to indexes covering equities, fixed income and other asset classes, MSCI provides portfolio analytics, risk-management tools, performance measurement and investment data.

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