v3.22.1
Introduction and Basis of Presentation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [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 leading provider of critical decision support tools and solutions for the global investment community. Our mission-critical offerings help investors address the challenges of a transforming investment landscape and power better investment decisions. Leveraging our knowledge of the global investment process and our expertise in research, data and technology, we enable our clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently and efficiently build more effective portfolios. Our products and services include indexes; portfolio construction and risk management tools; environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) and climate solutions; and real estate market and transaction data and analysis.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSCI and its wholly owned subsidiaries and include all adjustments of a normal, recurring nature necessary to state fairly the financial condition as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the results of operations, comprehensive income and shareholders’ equity (deficit) for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. The unaudited condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and related financial statement information as of December 31, 2021 have been derived from the 2021 audited consolidated financial statements but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). 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 for the year ended December 31, 2021.  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 GAAP. The Company makes 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 operating revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant estimates and judgments made by management include such examples as assessment of impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and income taxes. 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. Inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Concentrations

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) accounted for 10.9% and 12.0% of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, BlackRock accounted for 18.0% and 19.2% of the Index segment’s operating revenues, respectively. No single customer represented 10.0% or more of operating revenues within the Analytics, ESG and Climate and All Other – Private Assets segments for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts from December 31, 2020 to March 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

$

1,583

 

Addition (reduction) to credit loss expense

 

 

1,210

 

Write-offs, net of recoveries

 

 

(456

)

Balance as of December 31, 2021

 

$

2,337

 

Addition (reduction) to credit loss expense

 

 

364

 

Adjustments and write-offs, net of recoveries

 

 

(186

)

Balance as of March 31, 2022

 

$

2,515