MSCI Barra Signs Agreement With FactSet Research Systems Inc. Barra Models And Analytics To Be Made Available Via FactSet DIRECTIONS

MSCI Barra, a leading provider of benchmark indices and risk management analytics products, announced today that it has signed an agreement with FactSet Research Systems Inc., a leading provider of portfolio analytic services to asset managers, to distribute Barra models and analytics through the FactSet DIRECTIONS platform.

“Clients can access MSCI Barra’s industry-leading risk models and analytics in a way that best fits their processes and systems,” said Rabbe Ekholm, Managing Director at MSCI Barra, “be it through our traditional best-of-breed software, integration with their internal systems, or a leading third-party platform such as FactSet.”

Chris Ellis, Director of Portfolio Analytics at FactSet, commented, “We are delighted to have signed this agreement with MSCI Barra to extend our outstanding relationship from MSCI indices to now also include Barra models and analytics. Barra’s distinctive philosophy on predicted risk is a superb complement to FactSet’s portfolio analysis capabilities.”

The Barra products will become available on FactSet DIRECTIONS in phases throughout 2006.