MSCI Launches Global Classification Standards for Private Assets

Private assets are growing rapidly, fueled by institutional allocations and increasing flows from private wealth. Yet the industry remains constrained by a lack of transparency, with no common system to effectively classify exposures, measure performance or communicate strategies.

MSCI is addressing this challenge with the launch of MSCI PACS, a proprietary asset classification framework designed to bring order, comparability and consistency to private markets. Covering a wide array of private assets – including private companies, real estate and infrastructure – PACS provides granular classifications that can be used to benchmark, analyze and communicate portfolio strategies and performance effectively across the investment lifecycle.

MSCI PACS is a global taxonomy created specifically for private assets. It builds on MSCI’s decades of leadership in providing standards and tools, including the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®)¹, that are used to categorize and compare public companies around the world. Delivered as an AI-powered managed data service, PACS applies consistent sector tagging at scale, providing the private-markets industry a strong foundation for transparency and comparability.

“Private markets are at an inflection point, with increasing prominence in the global financial ecosystem,” said Luke Flemmer, Head of Private Assets at MSCI. “With PACS, MSCI is introducing the infrastructure that will define how private assets are identified, compared and analyzed globally for years to come.”

The launch of PACS reflects MSCI’s broader commitment to equip private markets practitioners with the tools, research and data required to enhance transparency and support informed decision-making across their portfolios. To learn more, visit MSCI Private Assets.

About MSCI

MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI) strengthens global markets by connecting participants across the financial ecosystem with a common language. Our research-based data, analytics and indexes, supported by advanced technology, set standards for global investors and help our clients understand risks and opportunities so they can make better decisions and unlock innovation. We serve asset managers and owners, private-market sponsors and investors, hedge funds, wealth managers, banks, insurers and corporates. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com.

¹ GICS, the global industry classification standard, developed jointly by MSCI Inc. and S&P Dow Jones Indices.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or performance and involve risks that may cause actual results or performance differ materially and you should not place undue reliance on them. Risks that could affect results or performance are in MSCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year ended on December 31 that is filed with the SEC. MSCI does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements. No information herein constitutes investment advice or should be relied on as such. MSCI grants no right or license to use its products or services without an appropriate license. MSCI MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. MSCI PACS™ is a trademark of MSCI Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251007896315/en/