MSCI Inc. stock research
FY2026 Q1
MSCI (MSCI) Gross Margin — Quarter Ended Mar 31, 2026
Revenue and gross profit both increased compared with the prior quarter and the same quarter last year, while cost of revenue was lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago. Gross margin improved sequentially and year-over-year, reflecting a larger share of revenue flowing through to gross profit.
Gross margin takeaway
Quarter ended Mar 31, 2026 · FY2026 Q1
Revenue and gross profit both increased compared with the prior quarter and the same quarter last year, while cost of revenue was lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago. Gross margin improved sequentially and year-over-year, reflecting a larger share of revenue flowing through to gross profit.
- The strongest observable driver is the improvement in gross margin, which reached a higher level than both the immediately preceding quarter and the same quarter one year earlier.
- Compared with the prior quarter, revenue and gross profit were higher while cost of revenue was lower, leading to an improved gross margin. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all higher, with gross margin also improved.
Gross margin snapshot
The selected quarter's reported revenue, gross profit, direct costs, and margin comparisons.
Gross margin
82.6%
Gross profit
$703.1M
Revenue
$850.8M
Cost of revenue
$147.7M
Quarter-over-quarter change
+1.0 pts
Year-over-year change
+1.6 pts
Quarterly gross margin trend
A four-quarter view of the revenue and direct-cost bridge behind gross margin.
| Period | Revenue | Gross profit | Cost of revenue | Gross margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 2025 | $772.7M | $629.6M | $143.1M | 81.5% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | $793.4M | $655.1M | $138.3M | 82.6% |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $822.5M | $671.7M | $150.9M | 81.7% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | $850.8M | $703.1M | $147.7M | 82.6% |
Quarterly comparisons
Compare the selected margin with the preceding quarter and the same fiscal quarter one year earlier.
Previous-quarter change
Dec 31, 2025
+1.0 pts
Year-over-year change
Mar 31, 2025
+1.6 pts
What the margin says
Filing-constrained interpretation of margin direction, comparisons, and what to monitor next.
The strongest observable driver is the improvement in gross margin, which reached a higher level than both the immediately preceding quarter and the same quarter one year earlier.
Compared with the prior quarter, revenue and gross profit were higher while cost of revenue was lower, leading to an improved gross margin. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, gross profit, and cost of revenue were all higher, with gross margin also improved.
Monitor the trajectory of cost of revenue relative to revenue, as its year-over-year increase was not fully offset by revenue growth in the gross margin comparison.
Peer context
Latest available gross margins for related public companies.
| Company | Gross margin |
|---|---|
| MSCI Inc. (MSCI) | 82.6% |