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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 3)
MSCI Inc.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
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(Title of Class of Securities)
00724F101
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(CUSIP Number)
Allison Bennington, Esq.
ValueAct Capital
One Letterman Drive, Building D, Fourth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 362-3700
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(Name, address and telephone number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
Allison Bennington, Esq.
ValueAct Capital
One Letterman Drive, Building D, Fourth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 362-3700
January 5, 2015
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(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the
following box [ ].
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five
copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 240.13d-7 for other
parties to whom copies are to be sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
This information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
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SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 2 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
ValueAct Capital Master Fund, L.P.
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS (See Instructions)*
WC*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
British Virgin Islands
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,341, 288**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
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10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN
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*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 3 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
VA Partners I, LLC
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,308,960**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
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10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
00 (LLC)
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*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 4 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
ValueAct Capital Management, L.P.
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,308,960**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
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10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN
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*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 5 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
ValueAct Capital Management, LLC
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,308,960**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
----------------------------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
00 (LLC)
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*See Item 3
**See Item 2 and 5
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 6 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
ValueAct Holdings, L.P.
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,308,960**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
----------------------------------------------------------
10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
PN
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*See Item 3
**See Items 2 and 5
SCHEDULE 13D
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 7 of 15
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1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON/S.S. OR I.R.S. INDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE
PERSON (entities only)
ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC
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2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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3. SEC USE ONLY
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4. SOURCE OF FUNDS*
00*
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5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
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6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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7. SOLE VOTING POWER
0
NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY 9,308,960**
OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
0
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10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
9,308,960**
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11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
9,308,960**
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12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
8.3%
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14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
00 (LLC)
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*See Item 3
**See Items 2 and 5
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 8 of 15
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THE PURPOSE OF THIS AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO SCHEDULE 13D IS TO AMEND THE OWNERSHIP
REPORTS OF THE REPORTING PERSONS AND TO AMEND ITEM 4(PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION),
AND ITEM 7 (MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS). THE INFORMATION BELOW
SUPPLEMENTS THE INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.
Item 1. Security and Issuer
This Schedule 13D relates to the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per
share (the "Common Stock") of MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is
7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor, New York, New York,
10007.
Item 2. Identity and Background
This statement is filed jointly by (a) ValueAct Capital Master Fund,
L.P. ("ValueAct Master Fund"), (b) VA Partners I, LLC ("VA Partners I"), (c)
ValueAct Capital Management, L.P. ("ValueAct Management L.P."), (d) ValueAct
Capital Management, LLC ("ValueAct Management LLC"), (e) ValueAct Holdings,
L.P. ("ValueAct Holdings") and (f) ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC ("ValueAct
Holdings GP")(collectively, the "Reporting Persons").
ValueAct Master Fund is a limited partnership organized under the laws
of the British Virgin Islands. It has a principal business address of One
Letterman Drive, Building D, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94129.
VA Partners I is a Delaware limited liability company, the principal
business of which is to serve as the General Partner to ValueAct Master Fund.
It has a principal business address of One Letterman Drive, Building D,
Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94129.
ValueAct Management L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership which
renders management services to ValueAct Master Fund. ValueAct Management LLC
is a Delaware limited liability company, the principal business of which is
to serve as the General Partner to ValueAct Management L.P. Each has a
principal business address of One Letterman Drive, Building D, Fourth Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94129.
ValueAct Holdings is a Delaware limited partnership and is the sole
owner of the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Management L.P. and
the membership interests of ValueAct Management LLC and is the majority owner
of the membership interests of VA Partners I. ValueAct Holdings GP is a
Delaware limited liability company, the principal business of which is to
serve as the General Partner to ValueAct Holdings. Each has a principal
business address of One Letterman Drive, Building D, Fourth Floor, San
Francisco, CA 94129.
(d) and (e). None of the entities or persons identified in this Item 2
has during the past five years been convicted of any criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors), nor been a party to a
civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent judgment,
decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding
any violation with respect to such laws.
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 9 of 15
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Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
The following paragraphs supplement the information set forth in
Item 4 of Reporting Person's Schedule 13D dated May 5, 2014.
On January 5, 2015, Jeffrey W. Ubben, Chief Executive Officer of the
Reporting Persons, sent a letter to Rodolphe M. Vallee, Lead Director of MSCI
Inc. (the "Company") expressing great frustration in the way in which the
board of directors handled ValueAct Capital's request for a board seat and
strongly encouraged the board to engage directly, without management or
advisors, with the Company's larger shareholders to gain their perspectives
on management's performance and on whether a ValueAct Capital director, in
addition to one or two other independent directors, would be a beneficial
addition to the Company's board.
A copy of the full text of this letter is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
(a) and (b). Set forth below is the beneficial ownership of shares of
Common Stock of the Issuer for each person named in Item 2. Shares reported
as beneficially owned by ValueAct Master Fund are also reported as
beneficially owned by (i) ValueAct Management L.P. as the manager of each
such investment partnership, (ii) ValueAct Management LLC, as General Partner
of ValueAct Management L.P., (iii) ValueAct Holdings, as the sole owner of
the limited partnership interests of ValueAct Management L.P. and the
membership interests of ValueAct Management LLC and as the majority owner of
the membership interests of VA Partners I and (iv) ValueAct Holdings GP, as
General Partner of ValueAct Holdings. Shares reported as beneficially owned
by ValueAct Master Fund are also reported as beneficially owned by VA
Partners I, as General Partner of ValueAct Master Fund. VA Partners I,
ValueAct Management L.P., ValueAct Management LLC, ValueAct Holdings and
ValueAct Holdings GP also, directly or indirectly, may own interests in one
or more than one of the partnerships from time to time. Unless otherwise
indicated below, by reason of such relationship ValueAct Master Fund is
reported as having shared power to vote or to direct the vote, and shared
power to dispose or direct the disposition of, such shares of Common Stock,
with VA Partners I (only with respect to ValueAct Master Fund), ValueAct
Management L.P., ValueAct Management LLC, ValueAct Holdings and ValueAct
Holdings GP.
As of the date hereof, ValueAct Master Fund is the beneficial owner
of 9,308,960 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 8.3% of the
Issuer's outstanding Common Stock (which shares may also be deemed to be
beneficially owned by VA Partners I).
ValueAct Management L.P., ValueAct Management LLC, ValueAct Holdings
and ValueAct Holdings GP may each be deemed the beneficial owner of an
aggregate of 9,308,960 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately
8.3% of the Issuer's outstanding Common Stock.
All percentages set forth in this Schedule 13D are based upon the
Issuer's reported 112,030,366 outstanding shares of Common Stock as
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 10 of 15
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reported in the Issuer's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September
30, 2014.
(c) The Reporting Persons have not made any transactions in the
Issuer's Common Stock in the sixty days prior to the date of this Report.
(d) and (e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with
Respect to Securities of the Issuer
Other than as described elsewhere in this Report and as previously
reported, the Reporting Persons have no understandings, arrangements,
relationships or contracts relating to the Issuer's Common Stock which are
required to be described hereunder.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
(1) Joint Filing Agreement.
(2) Letter dated January 5, 2015 from the Reporting Persons to the
Board of Directors of the Issuer.
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 11 of 15
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SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and
belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below on this Schedule 13D hereby constitutes and appoints Jeffrey W. Ubben,
Bradley E. Singer, G. Mason Morfit and Allison Bennington, and each of
them, with full power to act without the other, his or its true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or it and in his or its name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any and all amendments
to this Schedule 13D, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of
them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary fully to all intents and purposes as he or it might
or could do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
ValueAct Capital Master Fund L.P., by
VA Partners I, LLC, its General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
VA Partners I, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., by
ValueAct Capital Management, LLC its
General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Capital Management, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 12 of 15
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ValueAct Holdings, L.P., by
ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC, its
General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 13 of 15
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Exhibit 1
JOINT FILING UNDERTAKING
The undersigned parties hereby agree that the Schedule 13D filed herewith
(and any amendments thereto) relating to the Common Stock of MSCI Inc., is
being filed jointly on behalf of each of them with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
ValueAct Capital Master Fund L.P., by
VA Partners I, LLC, its General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
VA Partners I, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Capital Management, L.P., by
ValueAct Capital Management, LLC its
General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Capital Management, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Holdings, L.P., by
ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC, its
General Partner
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
ValueAct Holdings GP, LLC
By: /s/ Bradley E. Singer
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Dated: January 5, 2015 Bradley E. Singer, Chief Operating Officer
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 14 of 15
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Exhibit 2
January 5, 2015
Via Electronic Mail
Board of Directors
c/o Rodolphe M. Vallee, Lead Director
MSCI Inc.
7 World Trade Center
250 Greenwich Street, 49th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Dear Skip,
As you know, ValueAct Capital has been an investor in MSCI Inc. ("MSCI" or
the "Company") since October of 2012 and owns approximately 9.3 million
shares, or 8.3% of the Company.? We have shared with you our investment
philosophy: identify high-quality businesses and develop a deep understanding
of them, invest long-term, and pursue board representation if we feel there
is a role to play as a shareholder-director. We also explained to you our
strong bias against the negativity of public shareholder campaigning. So we
send this letter as a last resort out of great frustration at your response
to our request for a board seat.
We first asked to join the MSCI board this past August due to our significant
and unanswered questions of strategy and organization. We have the utmost
respect for MSCI's leading franchise in performance benchmarking and index
creation, which has been built organically over many years through hard and
consistent work by your team for your clients.? We believe MSCI's acquired
business lines, Risk Management Analytics and Portfolio Management Analytics
software, also have strong competitive positions and great potential. We
have challenged management on its "One MSCI" strategy of centralizing
management and in some cases bundling license contracts across the Index,
Portfolio Analytics and Risk Analytics business lines because we have not
seen market share gains in any of the businesses.? And as the index business
continues to grow at a double digit rate, with its attendant high incremental
margin, we cannot understand where all the money is going.? The answers to
these challenges and others we have raised are not clear from the public
record or our discussions with management. Most importantly, the track
record of value creation in recent years is at the bottom of the Company?s
peers. (See attached Exhibit A to this letter.)
We are disappointed in your decision not to pursue our request for a board
seat and the way in which you handled our request.? We offered to travel to
interview with all members of your Nominating and Governance Committee and
any other director as necessary. Your CEO responded, after considerable
delay, by arranging a single meeting with three directors, only one of whom
was a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Further, this
director, who was not even the Chairwoman of that committee, attended by
phone and barely participated in the discussion.
We have served on 37 public company boards and we offered you an extensive
reference list of board members and CEOs of public companies who know us from
working with us. You told us that you did not follow up on a single
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CUSIP NO. 00724F101 Page 15 of 15
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reference.?Frankly, we expected more effort and a more thorough process on
the part of the Nominating and Governance Committee specifically and the MSCI
board generally to educate itself on the ValueAct Capital governance track
record and the support we have from shareholders, directors, and executives
who have seen our work firsthand over the years.
The way the MSCI board handled our request for a board seat leaves us with
serious concerns about the board's independence from management and alignment
with shareholders. We strongly encourage the board to engage directly,
without management or advisors, with the Company's larger shareholders to
gain their perspectives on management's performance and on their interest in
a major change in the governance of the company, including both ValueAct
Capital representation and a change in the composition of the independent
directors.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey W. Ubben
Chief Executive Officer