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MCO vs MSCI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Moody's Corporation (MCO) vs. MSCI Inc. (MSCI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- MCO has delivered stronger year-to-date (YTD) performance at +12.2% compared to MSCI's +0.8%, reflecting better momentum in recent market activity.
- Both stocks operate in the financial data and analytics sector, with MCO emphasizing credit ratings and MSCI focusing on investment indexes.
- MCO trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 32.8x versus MSCI's 36.1x, suggesting relative value.
- MSCI recently beat Q1 2026 earnings expectations with EPS of $4.55 versus $4.46 estimated.
- MCO reports Q1 earnings on April 22, with analysts expecting EPS of $4.28 and revenue of $2.07 billion.
- Market caps stand at approximately $80 billion for MCO and $42 billion for MSCI.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines MCO and MSCI, two leading providers of essential financial data and analytics services. Both companies benefit from recurring revenue models tied to global capital markets, making them attractive for investors seeking exposure to the financial information sector. Traders monitoring relative performance may find value in their distinct focuses—credit ratings for MCO and investment indexes for MSCI—amid shifting market sentiment and economic conditions. This analysis highlights recent trends, financial metrics, and positioning to aid informed decision-making in today's dynamic environment.
MCO Overview and Recent Performance
MCO, the parent of Moody's Investors Service, provides credit ratings, research, and analytics tools to institutional clients worldwide. Its business spans ratings (issuer-paid model) and Moody's Analytics, offering risk management solutions. In recent market activity, MCO shares have traded around $448, within a 52-week range of $402 to $547, with YTD gains of 12.2% outperforming peers on strong trading days. Q4 2025 results showed adjusted EPS of $3.64 beating estimates, with revenue up 13% year-over-year, driven by debt issuance and analytics demand. Sentiment has been influenced by positive outlooks for 2026 debt markets and ratings activity, though concerns over business development companies (BDCs) outlooks persist. Trading volume averages 1.4 million shares, supporting liquidity.
MSCI Overview and Recent Performance
MSCI Inc. delivers indexes, portfolio analytics, and ESG research, powering benchmarks for asset managers and owners. Its subscription-based model ensures stable recurring revenue from index licensing and analytics. Shares recently closed at $567, in a 52-week range of $501 to $626, with modest YTD gains of 0.8%. Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $4.55 against $4.46 estimated and sales exceeding forecasts, boosting near-term sentiment. Performance reflects steady demand for indexes amid global fund flows, though softer in recent weeks compared to broader market peers. Average daily volume stands at around 489,000 shares, with analysts maintaining equal-weight ratings amid valuation discussions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both MCO and MSCI thrive on oligopolistic positions in financial data, with subscription-like revenues insulating against cycles. MCO's ratings business ties to debt volumes, offering cyclical upside, while MSCI's indexes provide steadier asset management fees. Growth drivers include analytics expansion for both, but MCO benefits more from rising mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Recent momentum favors MCO with superior YTD returns, versus MSCI's earnings-driven stability. Risk factors encompass regulatory scrutiny on ratings models and competition in ESG analytics. Sector exposure aligns to financial services, with market sentiment tilting toward MCO on debt outlook versus MSCI's fund flow sensitivity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently leans toward MCO based on trend consistency, YTD outperformance, and favorable positioning ahead of Q1 earnings amid strengthening debt markets. MSCI offers stability post-earnings beat, but MCO's relative momentum and valuation edge suggest higher probability of near-term upside in the current environment.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MCO is a Buy and MSCI is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
MCO’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileMSCI’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- MCO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- MSCI’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
MCO’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MSCI’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MCO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- MSCI’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
MCO (@Financial Publishing/Services) experienced а -1.48% price change this week, while MSCI (@Financial Publishing/Services) price change was -4.96% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Financial Publishing/Services industry was -4.86%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.55%, and the average quarterly price growth was -18.94%.
Reported Earning Dates
MCO is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
MSCI is expected to report earnings on Jul 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Financial Publishing/Services (-4.86% weekly)The financial publishing /services sector includes companies that provide informational products and services that are of value to investors, financial/analytics professionals and other interested readers. The products include real-time stock quotes, financial news and analyses. Think S&P Global, Inc., Moody`s Corporation, Thomson-Reuters Corp and IHS Markit Ltd. Information is critical in making financial or investment decisions, and what makes this industry’s output relevant at all times, across various economic conditions.
| MCO | MSCI | MCO / MSCI | |
| Capitalization | 78.1B | 42.3B | 185% |
| EBITDA | 3.96B | 2B | 198% |
| Gain YTD | -12.036 | 2.007 | -600% |
| P/E Ratio | 32.09 | 33.17 | 97% |
| Revenue | 7.87B | 3.24B | 243% |
| Total Cash | 1.51B | 382M | 395% |
| Total Debt | 7.31B | 6.55B | 112% |
MCO | MSCI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 21 | 76 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 6 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 56 | 69 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 6 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 73 | 65 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 90 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
MSCI's Valuation (6) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for MCO (86). This means that MSCI’s stock grew significantly faster than MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's Profit vs Risk Rating (56) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as MSCI (69). This means that MCO’s stock grew similarly to MSCI’s over the last 12 months.
MSCI's SMR Rating (6) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as MCO (15). This means that MSCI’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MSCI's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as MCO (55). This means that MSCI’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MSCI's P/E Growth Rating (65) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as MCO (73). This means that MSCI’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
| MCO | MSCI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 1 day ago 61% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 66% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 57% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 54% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 58% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 59% | 9 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 1 day ago 58% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 43% | N/A |
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MCO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MCO has been closely correlated with SPGI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MCO jumps, then SPGI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MCO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCO | 100% | -0.74% | ||
| SPGI - MCO | 88% Closely correlated | -0.86% | ||
| JEF - MCO | 66% Closely correlated | +1.14% | ||
| MSCI - MCO | 66% Closely correlated | -0.06% | ||
| SF - MCO | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.37% | ||
| GS - MCO | 66% Loosely correlated | +0.89% | ||
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MSCI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MSCI has been closely correlated with SPGI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if MSCI jumps, then SPGI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MSCI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI | 100% | -0.06% | ||
| SPGI - MSCI | 68% Closely correlated | -0.86% | ||
| MCO - MSCI | 66% Loosely correlated | -0.74% | ||
| MORN - MSCI | 56% Loosely correlated | -0.18% | ||
| NDAQ - MSCI | 55% Loosely correlated | +0.45% | ||
| JEF - MSCI | 54% Loosely correlated | +1.14% | ||
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