Benchmarking

Selecting an appropriate benchmark to measure performance is a key step in the investment process. MSCI Barra aims to design benchmarks relevant to pension plans, institutional investors, asset managers, consultants, broker-dealers and hedge funds. MSCI Indices are used as a research tool for mutual funds and for derivative products, such as options, futures and exchange traded funds (ETFs).

Global International Equity Indices

MSCI Barra provides a comprehensive range of global international equity indices which, over the last 35 years, have become the most widely used international equity benchmarks by institutional investors. By addressing differing investment styles, MSCI's global international equity indices provide a wide choice for institutional investors. For example, MSCI Barra calculates daily style, small cap, sector, industry group and industry international equity indices. MSCI Barra also provides customized versions of its global equity indices for investors with specific investment constraints or requirements. Learn more about MSCI Global International Equity Indices. Learn more about MSCI Custom Indices.

Domestic Equity Indices

In addition to global international equity indices, MSCI Barra also provides domestic equity indices that reflect the investment opportunities available to a domestic investor. For example, the MSCI US Equity Indices consist of a range of capitalization indices (including a Broad Market Index) as well as style and sector sub-indices, providing a broad and comprehensive coverage of that equity market. MSCI Barra also offers domestic indices covering Japan and the China A market. Learn more about Domestic Equity Indices.

Hedge Fund Indices

The MSCI Hedge Fund Indices are based on the MSCI Hedge Fund Classification Standard, a comprehensive classification system, and the MSCI Hedge Fund Database, a growing fund database. These indices aim to reflect the composition and performance characteristics of the hedge fund opportunity set and, as such, include open as well as closed funds. In parallel, MSCI Barra has developed an innovative index construction and maintenance methodology for investable hedge fund indices. The MSCI Hedge Invest Index is designed to reflect the aggregate performance of a diversified range of hedge fund strategies and to be replicable in investment vehicles linked to the indices. Learn more about the MSCI Hedge Fund Indices.

REIT Indices

The MSCI US REIT Index aims to broadly and objectively represent the equity REIT opportunity set within the US. Developed following consultations with market participants, the index reflects the evolving equity REIT market on a timely basis through quarterly index reviews. Learn more about the MSCI US REIT Index.