MSCI (MSCI) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 22, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	MSCI
Entity Registrant Name	MSCI Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1408198
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		112,425,358

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$537,751	$508,799
Accounts receivable (net of allowances of $822 and $857 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	184,827	178,717
Deferred taxes	17,792	22,209
Prepaid income taxes	16,344	29,180
Prepaid and other assets	31,918	31,727
Total current assets	788,632	770,632
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $99,230 and $92,808 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	97,498	94,074
Goodwill	1,561,852	1,564,904
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $383,487 and $372,209 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	417,610	433,628
Other non-current assets	30,935	30,937
Total assets	2,896,527	2,894,175
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable	1,139	2,835
Accrued compensation and related benefits	41,328	111,408
Other accrued liabilities	65,026	47,894
Deferred revenue	344,267	310,775
Total current liabilities	451,760	472,912
Long-term debt	800,000	800,000
Deferred taxes	136,793	137,838
Other non-current liabilities	52,274	50,592
Total liabilities	1,440,827	1,461,342
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 7)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)
Common stock (par value $0.01; 750,000,000 common shares authorized; 127,165,535 and 126,637,390 common shares issued and 112,408,627 and 112,072,469 common shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	1,272	1,266
Treasury shares, at cost (14,756,908 and 14,564,921 common shares held at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)	-598,735	-588,378
Additional paid in capital	1,038,635	1,022,221
Retained earnings	1,046,098	1,022,695
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-31,570	-24,971
Total shareholders' equity	1,455,700	1,432,833
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$2,896,527	$2,894,175

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$822	$857
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, accumulated depreciation and amortization	99,230	92,808
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$383,487	$372,209
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	750,000,000,000	750,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	127,165,535,000	126,637,390,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	112,408,627,000	112,072,469,000
Treasury shares	14,756,908,000	14,564,921,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$262,769	$239,688
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	82,653	75,427
Selling, general and administrative	72,465	67,658
Amortization of intangible assets	11,702	11,270
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	7,207	5,828
Total operating expenses	174,027	160,183
Operating income	88,742	79,505
Interest income	-204	-156
Interest expense	11,108	5,059
Other expense (income)	178	1,071
Other expense (income), net	11,082	5,974
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes	77,660	73,531
Provision for income taxes	28,036	26,385
Income from continuing operations	49,624	47,146
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-5,797	33,253
Net income	$43,827	$80,399
Earnings per basic common share:
Earnings per basic common share from continuing operations	$0.44	$0.40
Earnings per basic common share from discontinued operations	($0.05)	$0.28
Earnings per basic common share	$0.39	$0.68
Earnings per diluted common share:
Earnings per diluted common share from continuing operations	$0.44	$0.40
Earnings per diluted common share from discontinued operations	($0.05)	$0.28
Earnings per diluted common share	$0.39	$0.68
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	112,520	117,582
Diluted	113,522	118,597
Dividend declared per common share	$0.18

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$43,827	$80,399
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-6,590	1,032
Income tax effect	-132	-400
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net	-6,722	632
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments	174	-7
Income tax effect	-51	4
Pension and other post-retirement adjustments, net	123	-3
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	-6,599	629
Comprehensive income	$37,228	$81,028

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$43,827	$80,399
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of intangible assets	11,702	14,010
Stock-based compensation expense	7,350	5,171
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	7,207	6,047
Amortization of debt origination fees	446	445
Deferred taxes	3,433	-26,271
Amortization of discount on long-term debt		121
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	-2,990	-1,174
Other non-cash adjustments	3,700	-102
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities assumed:
Accounts receivable	-7,181	-38,879
Prepaid income taxes	15,533	10,385
Prepaid and other assets	-517	-618
Accounts payable	-1,681	349
Accrued compensation and related benefits	-63,351	-68,646
Other accrued liabilities	11,331	3,480
Deferred revenue	34,717	46,167
Other	3,157	-5,635
Net cash provided by operating activities	66,683	25,249
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	-4,934	-8,501
Capitalized software development costs	-1,386	-1,559
Proceeds from the sale of capital equipment		7
Net cash used in investing activities	-6,320	-10,053
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of long-term debt		-5,063
Repurchase of treasury shares	-10,352	-107,159
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	632	1,710
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	2,990	1,174
Payment of dividends	-20,406
Net cash used in financing activities	-27,136	-109,338
Effect of exchange rate changes	-4,275	566
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	28,952	-93,576
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	508,799	358,434
Less: Cash and cash equivalents attributed to discontinued operations		-4,408
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	537,751	260,450
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	161	4,542
Cash paid for income taxes	13,976	21,131
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements in other accrued liabilities	$12,970	$2,842

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres

Introduction and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Introduction and Basis of Presentation	1. INTRODUCTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	MSCI Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “MSCI”), is a global provider of investment decision support tools, including indexes, portfolio risk and performance analytics and multi-asset class market risk analytics products and services. The Company’s flagship products are its global equity indexes and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) products marketed under the MSCI and MSCI ESG Research brands, its private real estate benchmarks marketed under the IPD brand, its portfolio risk and performance analytics covering global equity markets marketed under the Barra brand, its multi-asset class, market and credit risk analytics marketed under the RiskMetrics and Barra brands and its performance reporting products and services offered to the investment consultant community marketed under the InvestorForce brand.
	On March 17, 2014, MSCI entered into a definitive agreement to sell Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”). As a result, the Company reported the operating results of ISS in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosures accompanying these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s continuing operations.
	The Company completed the sale of ISS on April 30, 2014. See Note 3, “Disposition and Discontinued Operations,” for further details.
	Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI Inc. and its subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2014. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the 2014 audited consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
	The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require the Company to make certain estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the deferral and recognition of revenue, research and development and software capitalization, the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes and other matters that affect the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company believes that estimates used in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable; however, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
	Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	Concentrations
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 10.1% and 10.4%, respectively, of the Company’s operating revenues.

Recent_Accounting_Standards_Up

Recent Accounting Standards Updates	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Standards Updates	2. RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” or ASU 2014-09. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, an entity will (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a deferral of the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year, but to permit entities to adopt it one year earlier if they choose (that is, annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The FASB has proposed to issue an Accounting Standards Update to defer the effective date such that the new date would be for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2017. Companies have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. The Company is evaluating the potential impact that the update will have on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” or ASU 2015-03. The objective of ASU 2015-03 is to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Currently, debt issuance costs are recognized and presented as a deferred charge (that is, an asset). The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company is evaluating the adoption of ASU 2015-03 but does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software,” or ASU 2015-05. The amendments in this Update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the adoption of ASU 2015-05 but does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Disposition_and_Discontinued_O

Disposition and Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposition and Discontinued Operations	3. DISPOSITION AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On March 17, 2014, MSCI entered into a definitive agreement to sell ISS which was completed on April 30, 2014. The results of operations from ISS are reflected in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
	ISS was classified as a discontinued operation during the three months ended March 31, 2014 at which time MSCI segregated the operating results of ISS in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes” in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Amounts associated with discontinued operations reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenue from discontinued operations	$	—		$	32,210
	Income from discontinued operations before provision for income taxes	$	—		$	6,217
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		5,797			(27,036	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(5,797	)	$	33,253
	The three months ended March 31, 2015 reflects the impact of an out-of-period income tax charge associated with tax obligations triggered upon the sale of ISS. The three months ended March 31, 2014 included a $30.6 million income tax benefit associated with establishing a net deferred tax asset on the difference between the ISS tax basis and book basis.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	4. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing income available to MSCI common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common shares outstanding include common stock and vested restricted stock unit awards where recipients have satisfied either the explicit vesting terms or retirement-eligible requirements. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities. There were no stock options or restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2015 because of their anti-dilutive effect. There were 104,272 stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because of their anti-dilutive effect.
	The Company computes EPS using the two-class method and determines whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted EPS:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	(in thousands, except per share data)
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes		$	49,624		$	47,146
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(5,797	)		33,253
	Net income			43,827			80,399
	Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units(1)			(17	)		(132	)
	Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders		$	43,810		$	80,267
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			112,520			117,582
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock units			1,002			1,015
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			113,522			118,597
	Earnings per basic common share from continuing operations		$	0.44		$	0.4
	Earnings per basic common share from discontinued operations			(0.05	)		0.28
	Earnings per basic common share		$	0.39		$	0.68
	Earnings per diluted common share from continuing operations		$	0.44		$	0.4
	Earnings per diluted common share from discontinued operations			(0.05	)		0.28
	Earnings per diluted common share		$	0.39		$	0.68
	(1)	Restricted stock units granted to employees prior to 2013 and all restricted stock units granted to independent directors of the Company have a right to participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, these restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Property_Equipment_and_Leaseho

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements	5. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
	Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
			As of
	Type	Estimated	March 31,			December 31,
		Useful Lives	2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Computer & related equipment	3 to 5 years	$	124,544		$	118,537
	Furniture & fixtures	7 years		9,431			9,569
	Leasehold improvements	1 to 21 years		49,671			49,756
	Work-in-process	—		13,082			9,020
	Subtotal			196,728			186,882
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(99,230	)		(92,808	)
	Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		$	97,498		$	94,074
	Depreciation and amortization expense of property, equipment and leasehold improvements was $7.2 million and $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	6. GOODWLL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill
	The Company carries goodwill as reflected in the table below:
		Goodwill
	(in thousands)
	Goodwill at December 31, 2014	$	1,564,904
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(3,052	)
	Goodwill at March 31, 2015	$	1,561,852
	Intangible Assets
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $11.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively.
	The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:
				As of
		Estimated		March 31,			December 31,
		Useful Lives		2015			2014
				(in thousands)
	Gross intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	5 to 21 years		$	360,835		$	360,835
	Trademarks/trade names	5 to 21.5 years			223,382			223,382
	Technology/software	3 to 8.5 years			191,677			193,681
	Proprietary data	13 years			28,627			28,627
	Covenant not to compete	2 years			900			900
	Subtotal				805,421			807,425
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				(4,324	)		(1,588	)
	Total gross intangible assets			$	801,097		$	805,837
	Accumulated amortization:
	Customer relationships			$	(125,121	)	$	(119,058	)
	Trademarks/trade names				(84,534	)		(81,545	)
	Technology/software				(169,097	)		(167,083	)
	Proprietary data				(5,112	)		(4,589	)
	Covenant not to compete				(300	)		(187	)
	Subtotal				(384,164	)		(372,462	)
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				677			253
	Total accumulated amortization			$	(383,487	)	$	(372,209	)
	Net intangible assets:
	Customer relationships			$	235,714		$	241,777
	Trademarks/trade names				138,848			141,837
	Technology/software				22,580			26,598
	Proprietary data				23,515			24,038
	Covenant not to compete				600			713
	Subtotal				421,257			434,963
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				(3,647	)		(1,335	)
	Total net intangible assets			$	417,610		$	433,628
	The estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2015 and succeeding years is presented below:
	Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
		(in thousands)
	Remainder 2015	$	35,020
	2016		46,279
	2017		41,013
	2018		37,970
	2019		36,609
	Thereafter		220,719
	Total	$	417,610

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Legal matters. From time to time, the Company is party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company is not presently party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which the Company believes would have a material effect on its business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.
	Leases. The Company leases facilities under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. The terms of certain lease agreements provide for rental payments on a graduated basis. The Company recognizes rent expense on the straight-line basis over the lease period and has accrued for rent expense incurred but not paid. Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $6.8 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
	Return of capital. On December 13, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $300.0 million worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock beginning immediately and continuing through December 31, 2014 (the “2012 Repurchase Program”).
	Prior to 2014, the Company repurchased an aggregate of $200.0 million worth of shares through multiple accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreements under the 2012 Repurchase Program. On February 6, 2014, MSCI utilized the remaining $100.0 million repurchase authorization provided by the 2012 Repurchase Program.
	On February 4, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $300.0 million worth of shares of MSCI’s common stock (the “2014 Repurchase Program”). On September 17, 2014, the Board of Directors increased the approval under the 2014 Repurchase Program from $300.0 million to $850.0 million. Share repurchases made pursuant to the 2014 Repurchase Program may take place through December 31, 2016 in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time based on market and other conditions. This authorization may be modified, suspended, terminated or extended by the Board of Directors at any time without prior notice.
	On September 18, 2014, as part of the 2014 Repurchase Program, the Company entered into an ASR agreement to initiate share repurchases aggregating $300.0 million (the “September 2014 ASR Agreement”). On September 19, 2014, the Company paid $300.0 million in cash and received approximately 4.5 million shares of MSCI’s common stock under the September 2014 ASR Agreement. The total number of shares to be repurchased will be based primarily on an arithmetic average of the volume-weighted average prices of MSCI’s common stock on each trading day during the repurchase period. This average price will be capped such that only under limited circumstances will MSCI be required to deliver shares or pay cash at settlement. The Company may also receive additional shares at or prior to maturity of the September 2014 ASR Agreement in May 2015.
	The $300.0 million payment for the September 2014 ASR Program was initially split and recorded as a $210.0 million increase to “Treasury stock” and a $90.0 million decrease to “Additional paid in capital” on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition to reflect the initial estimate of the value of shares received.
	Since the introduction of the initial 2012 Repurchase Program, the Company has paid $600.0 million and has received an aggregate of approximately 12.3 million shares under the programs.
	On September 17, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a plan to initiate a regular quarterly cash dividend. We expect the initial annual dividend rate to be $0.72 per share. Subsequent to the initial approval of the regular quarterly cash dividend, the Board of Directors has since approved two quarterly dividend payments of $0.18 per share of common stock.
	Long-term debt. On November 20, 2014, the Company completed its private offering of $800.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.25% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “Senior Notes”) and also entered into a $200.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “2014 Revolving Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors (the “subsidiary guarantors”), the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the Senior Notes, together with cash on hand, to prepay in full its then outstanding term loan indebtedness of $794.8 million, which bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%.
	The Senior Notes are scheduled to mature and be paid in full on November 20, 2024. At any time prior to November 15, 2019, the Company may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, on or after November 15, 2019, at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture dated as of November 20, 2014, among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. At any time prior to November 15, 2017, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, including any permitted additional notes, at a redemption price equal to 105.25% of the principal amount.
	The 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement has an initial term of five years that may be extended, at the Company’s request, for two additional one year terms.
	Interest on the Senior Notes accrues at a fixed rate of 5.25% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 2015. The Company will make interest payments to holders of record of the Senior Notes on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1.
	Long-term debt was $800.0 million at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	In connection with the closing of the Senior Notes offering and entering into the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company paid certain fees which, together with the existing fees related to prior credit facilities, are being amortized over the life of the Senior Notes and the 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement. At March 31, 2015, $14.2 million of the deferred financing fees remain unamortized, $1.8 million of which is included in “Prepaid and other assets” and $12.4 million of which is included in “Other non-current assets” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.
	The Company amortized $0.4 million of deferred financing fees in interest expense during each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Approximately $0.1 million of debt discount was amortized in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2014. There was no debt discount outstanding as of March 31, 2015.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair market value of the Company’s debt obligations was $828.0 million and $831.0 million, respectively. The fair market value is determined in accordance with accounting standards related to the determination of fair value and represents Level 2 valuations, which are based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not considered to be active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. The Company utilizes the market approach and obtains security pricing from a vendor who uses broker quotes and third-party pricing services to determine fair values.
	Derivatives and Hedging Activities. The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments.
	Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency, the U.S. dollar. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency.
	Non-designated Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s economic exposure to foreign exchange rate movements but do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forwards with a notional amount of $32.2 million that were not designated as hedges in qualifying hedging relationships.
	The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the location in which they are presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
	(in thousands)	Unaudited Condensed		As of			As of
		Consolidated Statements of		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		Financial Condition Location
	Non-designated hedging instruments:
	Asset derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		Prepaid and other assets	$	602			—
	Liability derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other accrued liabilities	$	(57	)	$	(243	)
	The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts were classified within Level 2, as they were valued using pricing models that took into account the contract terms as well as multiple observable inputs where applicable, such as prevailing spot rates and forward points.
	The following tables present the effect of the Company’s financial derivatives and the location in which they are presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated:
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
	(in thousands)	(Loss) Recognized in		in Income on Derivatives for the
		Income on Derivatives		Three Months Ended March 31,
				2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other expense & income	$	1,412		$	160

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	8. INCOME TAXES
	The Company’s provision for income taxes was $28.0 million and $26.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts reflect effective tax rates of 36.1% and 35.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities in certain jurisdictions, including foreign jurisdictions, such as India, and states in which the Company has significant business operations, such as New York. The tax years currently under examination vary by jurisdiction but include years ranging from 2005 through 2014. As a result of having previously been a member of the Morgan Stanley consolidated group, the Company may have future settlements with Morgan Stanley related to the ultimate disposition of their New York State and New York City examination relating to the tax years 2007 through 2008 and their IRS examination relating to the tax years 2006 through 2008. The Company does not believe it has any material exposure to the New York State and New York City examination. Additionally, the Company believes it has adequate reserves for any tax issues that may arise out of the IRS examination relating to the tax years 2006 through 2008 and therefore does not believe any related settlement with Morgan Stanley will have a material impact.
	The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the taxing jurisdictions in which it files income tax returns. The Company has established unrecognized tax benefits that the Company believes are adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments. Once established, the Company adjusts unrecognized tax benefits only when more information is available or when an event occurs necessitating a change. As part of the Company’s periodic review of unrecognized tax benefits and based on new information regarding the status of federal and state examinations, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits were remeasured. It is reasonably possible that significant changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months. At this time, however, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the expected change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the impact on the effective tax rate over the next 12 months.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	9. SEGMENT INFORMATION
	ASC Subtopic 280-10, “Segment Reporting,” establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or CODM, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. MSCI’s Chief Executive Officer, who is considered to be its CODM, reviews financial information presented on an operating segment basis for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance.
	MSCI operates and reports as a single business segment.
	Revenue by geography is based on the shipping address of the customer. The following table sets forth revenue for the periods indicated by geographic area:
	Revenues	Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Americas:
	United States	$	125,616	$	110,832
	Other		9,855		9,427
	Total Americas		135,471		120,259
	EMEA:
	United Kingdom		40,241		37,476
	Other		54,929		51,128
	Total EMEA		95,170		88,604
	Asia & Australia:
	Japan		11,602		11,960
	Other		20,526		18,865
	Total Asia & Australia		32,128		30,825
	Total	$	262,769	$	239,688
	Long-lived assets consist of property, equipment, leasehold improvements, goodwill and intangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.
	The following table sets forth long-lived assets on the dates indicated by geographic area:
		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Long-lived assets	(in thousands)
	Americas:
	United States	$	1,936,158	$	1,944,433
	Other		3,019		3,293
	Total Americas		1,939,177		1,947,726
	EMEA:
	United Kingdom		114,044		120,781
	Other		12,521		13,345
	Total EMEA		126,565		134,126
	Asia & Australia:
	Japan		771		837
	Other		10,447		9,917
	Total Asia & Australia		11,218		10,754
	Total	$	2,076,960	$	2,092,606

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On April 29, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share for second quarter 2015. The second quarter 2015 dividend is payable on May 29, 2015 to shareholders of record as of the close of trading on May 15, 2015.

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres1

Introduction and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI Inc. and its subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K , as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2014. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement information as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the 2014 audited consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year.
	The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These accounting principles require the Company to make certain estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Significant estimates and assumptions made by management include the deferral and recognition of revenue, research and development and software capitalization, the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, accrued compensation, income taxes and other matters that affect the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company believes that estimates used in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable; however, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
	Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation.
Concentrations	Concentrations
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, BlackRock, Inc. accounted for 10.1% and 10.4%, respectively, of the Company’s operating revenues.

Disposition_and_Discontinued_O1

Disposition and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Income (Loss) Amounts Associated with Discontinued Operations	Amounts associated with discontinued operations reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
		(in thousands)
	Revenue from discontinued operations	$	—		$	32,210
	Income from discontinued operations before provision for income taxes	$	—		$	6,217
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		5,797			(27,036	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(5,797	)	$	33,253

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS	The Company computes EPS using the two-class method and determines whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted EPS:
			Three Months Ended
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	(in thousands, except per share data)
	Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes		$	49,624		$	47,146
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(5,797	)		33,253
	Net income			43,827			80,399
	Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units(1)			(17	)		(132	)
	Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders		$	43,810		$	80,267
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			112,520			117,582
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock units			1,002			1,015
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			113,522			118,597
	Earnings per basic common share from continuing operations		$	0.44		$	0.4
	Earnings per basic common share from discontinued operations			(0.05	)		0.28
	Earnings per basic common share		$	0.39		$	0.68
	Earnings per diluted common share from continuing operations		$	0.44		$	0.4
	Earnings per diluted common share from discontinued operations			(0.05	)		0.28
	Earnings per diluted common share		$	0.39		$	0.68
	(1)	Restricted stock units granted to employees prior to 2013 and all restricted stock units granted to independent directors of the Company have a right to participate in all of the earnings of the Company in the computation of basic EPS and, therefore, these restricted stock units are not included as incremental shares in the diluted EPS computation.

Property_Equipment_and_Leaseho1

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements	Property, equipment and leasehold improvements at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
			As of
	Type	Estimated	March 31,			December 31,
		Useful Lives	2015			2014
			(in thousands)
	Computer & related equipment	3 to 5 years	$	124,544		$	118,537
	Furniture & fixtures	7 years		9,431			9,569
	Leasehold improvements	1 to 21 years		49,671			49,756
	Work-in-process	—		13,082			9,020
	Subtotal			196,728			186,882
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(99,230	)		(92,808	)
	Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net		$	97,498		$	94,074

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The Company carries goodwill as reflected in the table below:
		Goodwill
	(in thousands)
	Goodwill at December 31, 2014	$	1,564,904
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment		(3,052	)
	Goodwill at March 31, 2015	$	1,561,852
Components of Intangible Assets by Major Class	The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization totals related to the Company’s identifiable intangible assets are as follows:
				As of
		Estimated		March 31,			December 31,
		Useful Lives		2015			2014
				(in thousands)
	Gross intangible assets:
	Customer relationships	5 to 21 years		$	360,835		$	360,835
	Trademarks/trade names	5 to 21.5 years			223,382			223,382
	Technology/software	3 to 8.5 years			191,677			193,681
	Proprietary data	13 years			28,627			28,627
	Covenant not to compete	2 years			900			900
	Subtotal				805,421			807,425
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				(4,324	)		(1,588	)
	Total gross intangible assets			$	801,097		$	805,837
	Accumulated amortization:
	Customer relationships			$	(125,121	)	$	(119,058	)
	Trademarks/trade names				(84,534	)		(81,545	)
	Technology/software				(169,097	)		(167,083	)
	Proprietary data				(5,112	)		(4,589	)
	Covenant not to compete				(300	)		(187	)
	Subtotal				(384,164	)		(372,462	)
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				677			253
	Total accumulated amortization			$	(383,487	)	$	(372,209	)
	Net intangible assets:
	Customer relationships			$	235,714		$	241,777
	Trademarks/trade names				138,848			141,837
	Technology/software				22,580			26,598
	Proprietary data				23,515			24,038
	Covenant not to compete				600			713
	Subtotal				421,257			434,963
	Foreign exchange translation adjustment				(3,647	)		(1,335	)
	Total net intangible assets			$	417,610		$	433,628
Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2015 and Succeeding Years	The estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2015 and succeeding years is presented below:
	Years Ending December 31,	Amortization Expense
		(in thousands)
	Remainder 2015	$	35,020
	2016		46,279
	2017		41,013
	2018		37,970
	2019		36,609
	Thereafter		220,719
	Total	$	417,610

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments	The following table presents the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the location in which they are presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
	(in thousands)	Unaudited Condensed		As of			As of
		Consolidated Statements of		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		Financial Condition Location
	Non-designated hedging instruments:
	Asset derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		Prepaid and other assets	$	602			—
	Liability derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other accrued liabilities	$	(57	)	$	(243	)
Effect of Financial Derivatives on Statements of Income	The following tables present the effect of the Company’s financial derivatives and the location in which they are presented on the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated:
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
	(in thousands)	(Loss) Recognized in		in Income on Derivatives for the
		Income on Derivatives		Three Months Ended March 31,
				2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other expense & income	$	1,412		$	160

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenue by Geographic Area	Revenue by geography is based on the shipping address of the customer. The following table sets forth revenue for the periods indicated by geographic area:
	Revenues	Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
		(in thousands)
	Americas:
	United States	$	125,616	$	110,832
	Other		9,855		9,427
	Total Americas		135,471		120,259
	EMEA:
	United Kingdom		40,241		37,476
	Other		54,929		51,128
	Total EMEA		95,170		88,604
	Asia & Australia:
	Japan		11,602		11,960
	Other		20,526		18,865
	Total Asia & Australia		32,128		30,825
	Total	$	262,769	$	239,688
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area	The following table sets forth long-lived assets on the dates indicated by geographic area:
		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Long-lived assets	(in thousands)
	Americas:
	United States	$	1,936,158	$	1,944,433
	Other		3,019		3,293
	Total Americas		1,939,177		1,947,726
	EMEA:
	United Kingdom		114,044		120,781
	Other		12,521		13,345
	Total EMEA		126,565		134,126
	Asia & Australia:
	Japan		771		837
	Other		10,447		9,917
	Total Asia & Australia		11,218		10,754
	Total	$	2,076,960	$	2,092,606

Introduction_and_Basis_of_Pres2

Introduction and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Revenues [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Blackrock Inc [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Percentage of operating revenues accounted for by major customer	10.10%	10.40%
Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. [Member]
Introduction And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Sale completion date	30-Apr-14

Disposition_and_Discontinued_O2

Disposition and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Definitive sale agreement date	17-Mar-14
Income tax benefit		$30.60

Disposition_and_Discontinued_O3

Disposition and Discontinued Operations - Schedule of Income (Loss) Amounts Associated with Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Revenue from discontinued operations		$32,210
Income from discontinued operations before provision for income taxes		6,217
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	5,797	-27,036
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	($5,797)	$33,253

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Addi

Earnings Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	0	104,272
RSUs [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	0

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Comp

Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, net of income taxes	$49,624	$47,146
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-5,797	33,253
Net income	43,827	80,399
Less: Allocations of earnings to unvested restricted stock units	-17	-132
Earnings available to MSCI common shareholders	$43,810	$80,267
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	112,520	117,582
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units	1,002	1,015
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	113,522	118,597
Earnings per basic common share from continuing operations	$0.44	$0.40
Earnings per basic common share from discontinued operations	($0.05)	$0.28
Earnings per basic common share	$0.39	$0.68
Earnings per diluted common share from continuing operations	$0.44	$0.40
Earnings per diluted common share from discontinued operations	($0.05)	$0.28
Earnings per diluted common share	$0.39	$0.68

Property_Equipment_and_Leaseho2

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Schedule of Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Computer & related equipment	124,544	$118,537
Furniture & fixtures	9,431	9,569
Leasehold improvements	49,671	49,756
Work-in-process	13,082	9,020
Subtotal	196,728	186,882
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-99,230	-92,808
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	97,498	$94,074
Computer & Related Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Computer & Related Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Furniture & Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	7 years
Leasehold improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	1 year
Leasehold improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	21 years

Property_Equipment_and_Leaseho3

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements	$7,207	$5,828

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$1,564,904
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	-3,052
Goodwill, Ending balance	$1,561,852

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets	$11,702	$11,270

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Components of Intangible Assets by Major Class (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	$801,097	$805,837
Accumulated amortization	-383,487	-372,209
Net carrying value	417,610	433,628
Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	360,835	360,835
Accumulated amortization	-125,121	-119,058
Net carrying value	235,714	241,777
Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	21 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	223,382	223,382
Accumulated amortization	-84,534	-81,545
Net carrying value	138,848	141,837
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	21 years 6 months
Technology/Software [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	191,677	193,681
Accumulated amortization	-169,097	-167,083
Net carrying value	22,580	26,598
Technology/Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	3 years
Technology/Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	8 years 6 months
Proprietary Data [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	13 years
Gross carrying value	28,627	28,627
Accumulated amortization	-5,112	-4,589
Net carrying value	23,515	24,038
Covenant Not to Compete [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives	2 years
Gross carrying value	900	900
Accumulated amortization	-300	-187
Net carrying value	600	713
Subtotal [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	805,421	807,425
Accumulated amortization	-384,164	-372,462
Net carrying value	421,257	434,963
Foreign Exchange Translation Adjustment [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying value	-4,324	-1,588
Accumulated amortization	677	253
Net carrying value	($3,647)	($1,335)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for Remainder of 2015 and Succeeding Years (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remainder 2015	$35,020
2016	46,279
2017	41,013
2018	37,970
2019	36,609
Thereafter	220,719
Net carrying value	$417,610	$433,628

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 17, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 19, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 20, 2014	Dec. 13, 2012	Feb. 06, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 04, 2014
	Dividends
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Annual rent expense		$6,800,000	$6,300,000
Shares repurchases, value		600,000,000
Common shares received		12.3
Quarterly cash dividend, approved date		17-Sep-14
Expected annual dividend, payment rate on common stock	$0.72
Quarterly cash dividend, payment rate on common stock	$0.18	$0.18
Number of quarterly dividends declared	2
Long-term debt		800,000,000			800,000,000
Deferred financing fees unamortized		14,200,000
Amortized deferred financing fees		446,000	445,000
Amortization of discount on long-term debt			121,000
Debt discount outstanding		0
Fair market value of debt obligations		828,000,000			831,000,000
Foreign Currency Forwards [Member] | Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Foreign currency forwards, notional amount		32,200,000
Prepaid and Other Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees unamortized		1,800,000
Other Non-Current Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees unamortized		12,400,000
2014 Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum borrowing						200,000,000
Revolving credit agreement, term		5 years
Revolving credit agreement, conditional description		The 2014 Revolving Credit Agreement has an initial term of five years that may be extended, at the Company's request, for two additional one year terms.
5.250% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate		5.25%
Maturity date		20-Nov-24
Redemption description		At any time prior to November 15, 2019, the Company may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
Percentage of aggregate principal amount redeemed		35.00%
Redemption price		105.25%
Debt instrument description		Interest on the Senior Notes accrues at a fixed rate of 5.25% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 2015; the Company will make interest payments to holders of record of the Senior Notes on the immediately preceding May 1 and November 1.
5.250% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 [Member] | Private Placement [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount						800,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate						5.25%
Term Loan [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Outstanding indebtedness, amount						794,800,000
Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Bearing interest rate, percentage						2.25%
2012 Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares							300,000,000
2012 Repurchase Program [Member] | Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Shares repurchases, value								100,000,000	200,000,000
September 2014 ASR Agreement [Member] | Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Shares repurchases, value				300,000,000
Common shares received				4.5
Accelerated share repurchase agreement, description		On September 18, 2014, as part of the 2014 Repurchase Program, the Company entered into an ASR agreement to initiate share repurchases aggregating $300.0 million (the "September 2014 ASR Agreement"). On September 19, 2014, the Company paid $300.0 million in cash and received approximately 4.5 million shares of MSCI's common stock under the September 2014 ASR Agreement.
Stockholders equity period increase (decrease)		300,000,000
September 2014 ASR Agreement [Member] | Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member] | Treasury Stock [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Stockholders equity period increase (decrease)		210,000,000
September 2014 ASR Agreement [Member] | Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member] | Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Stockholders equity period increase (decrease)		-90,000,000
2014 Repurchase Program [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Repurchase program authorizing the purchase of shares	$850,000,000									$300,000,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member], Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid and Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset derivatives	$602
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability derivatives	($57)	($243)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies - Effect of Financial Derivatives on Statements of Income (Detail) (Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member], Other Expense & Income [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member] | Other Expense & Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$1,412	$160

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Provision for income taxes	$28,036	$26,385
Effective tax rate	36.10%	35.90%
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, reasonably possible	It is reasonably possible that significant changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months.
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits, not possible	At this time, however, it is not possible to reasonably estimate the expected change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the impact on the effective tax rate over the next 12 months.
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2005
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2014
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | New York State Division of Taxation and Finance [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2007
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | New York State Division of Taxation and Finance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2008
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2006
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Morgan Stanley [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years under examination	2008

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	1

Segment_Information_Revenue_by

Segment Information - Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$262,769	$239,688
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	125,616	110,832
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	9,855	9,427
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	135,471	120,259
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	40,241	37,476
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	54,929	51,128
Total EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	95,170	88,604
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	11,602	11,960
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	20,526	18,865
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$32,128	$30,825

Segment_Information_LongLived_

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$2,076,960	$2,092,606
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,936,158	1,944,433
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	3,019	3,293
Total Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	1,939,177	1,947,726
United Kingdom [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	114,044	120,781
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	12,521	13,345
Total EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	126,565	134,126
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	771	837
Other [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	10,447	9,917
Total Asia & Australia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$11,218	$10,754

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 17, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly dividend declared	$0.18	$0.18
Quarterly dividend declared date		17-Sep-14
Subsequent Events [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly dividend declared			$0.18
Quarterly dividend declared date			29-Apr-15
Quarterly dividend payable date			29-May-15
Quarterly dividend record date			15-May-15