Market classification

MSCI announces the results of the 2022 annual market classification review

On June 23, 2022, MSCI announced that it will consult on the potential reclassification of the MSCI Nigeria Index.

Results of the MSCI 2022 global market accessibility review

On June 9, 2022, MSCI announced the results of the 2022 Global Market Accessibility Review, including the detailed report covering market accessibility assessments for 84 markets.

The results of the MSCI Global Market Accessibility Review are announced prior to the communication of the MSCI Annual Market Classification Review in June of each year.

The table below reflects the currently effective classification of markets. Please refer to the latest Annual Market Classification Review and press release for details.

1 The MSCI Standalone Market Indexes are not included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index or MSCI Frontier Markets Index. However, these indexes use either the Emerging Markets or the Frontier Markets methodological criteria concerning size and liquidity.

2 The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) consists of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. Currently the MSCI WAEMU Indexes include securities classified in Benin, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.

 

Why a country’s market classification may matter to investors

Every June, MSCI announces the results of its evaluation of the equity markets for countries around the world, to determine each country’s classification as a developed, emerging, frontier or standalone market. An important component of MSCI’s decisions is investors’ experience of market accessibility, rather than merely an abstract analysis of regulatory language. MSCI is careful not to force a decision that may take market participants by surprise.

The Annual Market Classification Review is designed to ensure that MSCI indexes remain relevant and precise investment decision support tools for clients, and continue to accurately represent the equity markets they are measuring.

For example: market accessibility can be overlooked, such that a country with an advanced economy and several world class companies may not necessarily equate to a sufficiently advanced market, when objectively compared to other markets (a frequent misconception).

 

The MSCI market classification framework

The Annual Market Classification Review is based on the MSCI Market Classification Framework , which aims to reflect the views and practices of the international investment community by striking a balance between a country’s economic development and the accessibility of its market while preserving index stability. The framework consists of the following criteria:

  • Economic development: Considers the sustainability of economic development and is only used in determining the classification of developed markets, given the wide range of development levels within emerging and frontier markets
  • Size and liquidity requirements: Determines those securities that meet the minimum investability requirements of the MSCI Global Standard Indexes
  • Market accessibility criteria: Aims to reflect international institutional investors’ experiences of investing in a given market and includes five criteria: openness to foreign ownership, ease of capital inflows / outflows, efficiency of operational framework, availability of investment instruments and stability of the institutional framework

June 2022 MSCI Global Market Accessibility Review Report

June 2022 MSCI Market Accessibility Country Comparison Report

As part of the annual market classification announcement, MSCI communicates the list of countries currently under review and the new list of countries, if any, under review for potential market reclassification in the upcoming cycle.

Past market reclassifications:

Access the Index Country Membership tool

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Country Indexes
Market Reclassification
Date*

MSCI Russia Index
From Emerging Markets to Standalone
March 2022

MSCI Argentina Index
From Emerging Markets to Standalone
November 2021

MSCI Pakistan Index
From Emerging Markets to Frontier Markets
November 2021

MSCI Iceland Index
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
May 2021

MSCI Lebanon Index
From Frontier Markets to Standalone
February 2021

MSCI Kuwait Index
From Frontier Markets to Emerging Markets
November 2020

MSCI Saudi Arabia Index
From Standalone to Emerging Markets
May 2019

MSCI Argentina Index
From Frontier Markets to Emerging Markets
May 2019

MSCI China Index
China-A Shares included in the Emerging Markets
May 2018

MSCI Pakistan Index
From Frontier Markets to Emerging Markets
May 2017

MSCI WAEMU Index
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
November 2016

MSCI Bulgaria Index                     
From Frontier Markets to Standalone                                  

August 2016

MSCI Ukraine Index
From Frontier Markets to Standalone
August 2015

MSCI Qatar Index
From Frontier to Emerging Markets
May 2014

MSCI UAE Index
From Frontier to Emerging Markets
May 2014

MSCI Greece Index
From Developed to Emerging Markets
November 2013

MSCI Morocco Index
From Emerging to Frontier Markets
November 2013

MSCI Trinidad & Tobago Index**
From Frontier Markets to Standalone
May 2011

MSCI Israel Index
From Emerging to Developed Markets
May 2010

MSCI Bangladesh Index
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
May 2010

MSCI Argentina Index
From Emerging to Frontier Markets
May 2009

MSCI Pakistan Index***
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
May 2009

MSCI Jordan Index
From Emerging to Frontier Markets
November 2008

MSCI Lithuania Index
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
November 2008

MSCI Serbia Index
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
November 2008

MSCI Sri Lanka****
From Standalone to Frontier Markets
November 2007

MSCI Venezuela Index*****
From Emerging to Standalone
May 2006

MSCI Greece Index
From Emerging to Developed Markets
May 2001

MSCI Portugal Index
From Emerging to Developed Markets
November 1997

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*As of the close of the last business day of the month except for MSCI Saudi Arabia and MSCI Argentina Index.

**Trinidad and Tobago was added to the MSCI Frontier Markets Index in May 2009

***Pakistan was removed from the MSCI Emerging Market Index in December 2008 and maintained as a standalone country index

****Sri Lanka was removed from the MSCI Emerging Market Index in June 2001 and maintained as a standalone country index

*****Index was discontinued on January 2, 2008

 

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