MSCI Inc. (MSCI) has reported 20.85 percent rise in profit for the quarter ended Mar. 31, 2017. The company has earned $72.95 million, or $0.80 a share in the quarter, compared with $60.37 million, or $0.60 a share for the same period last year. On the other hand, adjusted net income for the quarter stood at $80.51 million, or $0.88 a share compared with $68.24 million or $0.68 a share, a year ago.

Revenue during the quarter grew 8.03 percent to $301.21 million from $278.83 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 24 basis points over the previous year period to 77.58 percent. Total expenses were 56.64 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 59.42 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 278 basis points in operating margin to 43.36 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $130.60 million, compared with $113.14 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $150.69 million compared with $133.15 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA margin improved 228 basis points in the quarter to 50.03 percent from 47.75 percent in the last year period.

"In the first quarter, we continued to make great strides in further integrating the powerful franchise that we have created and remained focused on providing our clients with mission critical investment decision support tools," commented Henry A. Fernandez, chairman and chief executive officer of MSCI.

The company has spent $9.63 million cash to meet investing activities during the quarter as against cash outgo of $5.52 million in the last year period.

The company has spent $125.23 million cash to carry out financing activities during the quarter as against cash outgo of $366.17 million in the last year period.