Sao Paulo - MSCI Inc. the provider of investment decision support tools, and BM&FBOVESPA the Latin American equity and futures exchange have reached a preliminary agreement on key terms regarding the provision of real time stock market data.

With this preliminary agreement, the calculation of MSCI real time indices will continue as normal to support a range of financial products. The parties will now work on the completion of binding documentation.

In addition, MSCI and BVMF have agreed to engage in a series of discussions to pursue a broad range of mutually beneficial opportunities, including the potential licensing of each other's products and participation in educational and marketing activities involving Brazilian and global investors. MSCI and BVMF both recognize the importance of serving investors with world class products and services in supporting the further integration of the Brazilian equity market into the global investment community.

"We are very pleased by the progress made in addressing the immediate issue of the provision of real time data. We are also very excited at the prospect of further collaboration with BVMF, with the aim of delivering even more value to our respective clients worldwide and in Brazil," said Henry Fernandez, Chairman and CEO of MSCI Inc.

"This preliminary agreement enhances our relationship and motivates us even more to expand our partnership with MSCI," said Edemir Pinto, CEO of BVMF. "We hope that our strengthened relationship will enable us to bring innovative products and services to our broad client base and reinforce the strength and global footprint of our exchange."