MSCI, a global provider of investment decision support tools, and RiskMetrics Group, a provider of risk-management and corporate governance products and services to the global financial community, jointly announced March 1 that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby MSCI will be acquiring RiskMetrics.
The transaction will unite such brands as MSCI, Barra, and RiskMetrics, to create a global, research-based, client-centric organization, dedicated to delivering world-class investment decision support tools to financial institutions worldwide. The combined company would have approximately $750 million of revenues and approximately 2,000 employees across 20 countries.
The transaction, which is currently expected to close in MSCI’s third fiscal quarter of 2010, is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of RiskMetrics, the receipt by MSCI of the proceeds of the debt financing for the transaction, antitrust clearance, and other customary regulatory approvals.