NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI), a leading provider of financial market indices, and MSCI Inc. (MSCI), a leading provider of research-based indexes and analytics have decided to consult with members of the investment community on potential changes to the GICS structure in 2022.

The review is intended to ensure that the GICS structure is reflective of today's markets and continues to be an accurate and complete industry framework. 

The consultation begins on October 18, 2021 and ends on December 20, 2021. Any changes to the GICS structure will be announced by February 2022. This consultation may or may not result in any changes to the GICS structure.

Key highlights of this consultation are potential changes to the classification of renewable energy companies and retailers within the GICS framework. In addition, the consultation covers potential changes for Data Processing & Outsourced Services, Banks and Thrifts & Mortgage Finance, REITs, Transportation, and an update in the GICS definition for cannabis.

Full details of these proposals can be found in the Consultation on Potential Changes to the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) Structure in 2022 document accessible on the S&P DJI and MSCI websites at www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/governance/consultations/ and www.msci.com/index-consultations, respectively.

For a detailed description of GICS, please refer S&P DJI's website at www.spdji.com or MSCI's website at www.msci.com/gics. 

MODE OF CONSULTATION

There are two options for participating in this year's consultation:

1. Click on the below links to participate in the online survey
   • S&P DJI: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/governance/consultations/mr47787/
   • MSCI: https://www.msci.com/consultation-gics
2. Contact one of the following email addresses with your feedback
   MSCI: clientservice@msci.com
   • S&P Dow Jones Indices: index_services@spglobal.com
   • Contact MSCI or S&P Dow Jones Indices' Account Manager or Representative 

About S&P Dow Jones Indices
S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500^® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com.

For more information: 
S&P Dow Jones Indices Index Services
index_services@spglobal.com 

About MSCI 

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com.

Media Inquiries:  PR@msci.com 

Sam Wang         +1 212 804 5244 
Melanie Blanco   +1 212 981 1049 
Laura Hudson     +44 20 7336 9653

MSCI Global Client Service

EMEA Client Service          + 44 20 7618.2222
Americas Client Service      +1 888 588 4567 (toll free) 
Asia Pacific Client Service  + 852 2844 9333

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This document has been prepared by MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC solely for informational purposes. All of the information contained herein, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, charts (collectively, the "Information") is the property of MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices, or their respective affiliates. The Information may not be reproduced or redisseminated in whole or in part without prior written permission from MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices.

None of the proposals or alternatives set forth herein has been adopted by MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices or Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P"), an affiliate of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and there is no assurance that they may be considered or adopted, in whole or in part, by any such party.

The Information may not be used to create derivative works or to verify or correct other data or information. For example (but without limitation), the Information may not be used to create indices, databases, risk models, analytics, software, or in connection with the issuing, offering, sponsoring, managing or marketing of any securities, portfolios, financial products or other investment vehicles utilizing or based on, linked to, tracking or otherwise derived from the Information. 

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information. NEITHER MSCI, S&P DOW JONES INDICES, S&P, NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION (OR THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE USE THEREOF). TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MSCI, S&P DOW JONES INDICES, S&P AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices, S&P or any of their respective affiliates have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits) or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages. 

Information containing any historical information, data or analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance, analysis, forecast or prediction. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), any security, financial product or other investment vehicle.   

The Information does not, and is not intended to, recommend, endorse, approve or otherwise expresses any opinion regarding any issuer, security, financial product or trading strategy and none of the Information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property of MSCI and S&P.  "Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)" is a service mark of MSCI and S&P.

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SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices