MSCI Launches Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes

Press Release

MSCI Launches Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes

Benchmarks exclude companies that own oil, gas and/or coal reserves

Expands benchmark options for investors wishing to reduce the carbon intensity of their portfolios

London - October 16, 2014 - MSCI Inc.(NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, announced today the launch of the MSCI Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes, benchmarks for investors who aim to eliminate or reduce fossil fuel reserves exposure from their investments. The MSCI ACWI ex Fossil Fuels and MSCI ACWI ex Coal Indexes are the first in the series.

The MSCI Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes were developed in response to investor demand for benchmarks designed to represent the performance of the broad market while excluding companies that own oil, gas and/or coal reserves. Institutional investors are increasingly concerned that these reserves could potentially be stranded in the context of the transition to a low carbon economy.

Remy Briand, Managing Director and Global Head of Index and ESG Research, said, "MSCI developed the MSCI Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes in response to clear demand from asset owners. These indexes complement the family of MSCI Low Carbon Indexes launched last month as part of a comprehensive suite of tools for investors looking to manage carbon exposure in their portfolios."

Donald Gould, chair of the Investment Committee at Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and President of Gould Asset Management, added, "It is important for those who have decided to divest from fossil fuels to have benchmarks that accurately reflect their investments. I am pleased to see MSCI taking important steps in this direction to assist asset managers, consultants and their investor clients."

The MSCI Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes are free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted benchmarks. The MSCI ACWI ex Fossil Fuels Index reduces carbon reserves exposure by 100% by excluding 127 securities representing 9.3% of the parent index market capitalization. The MSCI ACWI ex Coal Index reduces carbon reserves exposure by 50% by excluding 26 securities representing 1.3% of the parent index market capitalization.

The MSCI Global Fossil Fuels Exclusion Indexes are based on the MSCI ACWI Index, the global policy benchmark covering developed and emerging markets. Regional and country versions are available on request. The indexes utilize MSCI ESG CarbonMetricsdata from MSCI ESG Research Inc.

-Ends-

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About MSCI

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools to investors globally, including asset managers, banks, hedge funds and pension funds. MSCI products and services include indexes, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and ESG data and research.

The company's flagship product offerings are: the MSCI indexes with over USD 9 trillion estimated to be benchmarked to them on a worldwide basis1; Barra multi-asset class factor models, portfolio risk and performance analytics; RiskMetrics multi-asset class market and credit risk analytics; IPD real estate information, indexes and analytics; MSCI ESG (environmental, social and governance) Research screening, analysis and ratings; and FEA valuation models and risk management software for the energy

and commodities markets. MSCI is headquartered in New York, with research and commercial offices around the world.

1As of March 31, 2014, as reported on June 25, 2014, by eVestment, Lipper and Bloomberg

For further information on MSCI, please visit our web site at www.msci.com

Media Enquiries:

Michele Clarke, MSCI, New York + 1.646.732.5079

Nick Denton | Christian Pickel, MHP Communications, London + 44.20.3128.8754/8208

MSCI Global Client Service:

EMEA Client Service + 44.20.7618.2222

Americas Client Service 1.888.588.4567 (toll free)/+ 1.212.804.3901

Asia Pacific Client Service + 852.2844.9333


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