NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), a leading provider of investment decision support tools worldwide, announced today the launch of the latest version of Barra Portfolio Manager. The upgraded portfolio management software features advanced workflow tools designed to help portfolio managers improve their investment processes and goals.

One of the critical advancements in this version is historical strategy simulation. Analytics and portfolio managers can now use Barra Portfolio Manager to test various investment strategies simultaneously and monitor statistics even while optimizations are being actively processed. This provides users with immediate insight into a strategy’s risk and return profile, allowing for real-time adjustments.

“These enhancements are the latest in our continued efforts to provide a comprehensive platform that allows clients to design, develop and implement investment strategies,” said Peter Zangari, Managing Director and Head of Equity Portfolio Management Analytics at MSCI. “Using Barra Portfolio Manager, clients can now customize their portfolios to adapt to a change in their investment outlook or a shift in market trends.”

Bill Yost, Managing Partner and Director of Portfolio Management and Trading at Quotient Investors, said, “Barra Portfolio Manager risk models and optimization tools give us the ability to build highly customized portfolios that help us innovate, make more informed investment decisions and compete successfully in our industry. It helps us better understand both strengths and weaknesses in our investment process and communicate with clients more effectively. Understanding why we outperform or underperform is critical information for our clients and for us.”

“Our clients tell us about the challenges they are facing every day, and their feedback is the driving force behind these enhancements,” said Mr. Zangari. “Our long and extensive relationship with our clients has been refined over many years and provides us with a large wealth of client feedback. Our client support teams and consultants have an in-depth understanding of client needs, and we continue to incorporate those needs into the products we bring to market.”

To learn more about Barra Portfolio Manager, please visit www.msci.com.

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 indices, portfolio risk and performance analytics, and governance tools.

The company’s flagship product offerings are: the MSCI indices with close to USD 7 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, indices and analytics; MSCI ESG (environmental, social and governance) Research screening, analysis and ratings; ISS governance research and outsourced proxy voting and reporting services; FEA valuation models and risk management software for the energy and commodities markets; and CFRA forensic accounting risk research, legal/regulatory risk assessment, and due‐diligence. MSCI is headquartered in New York, with research and commercial offices around the world.

¹As of September 30, 2012, as published by eVestment, Lipper and Bloomberg on January 31, 2013

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