Ares Management Corporation (ARES) vs MSCI Inc. (MSCI)

ARES leads on 8 of 13 compared metrics, though MSCI is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Ares Management Corporation and MSCI Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ARES vs MSCI

growth of $100 · last 12y
ARES +627.7%MSCI +1382.0%MSCI compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100201620182020202220242026$728$1,482
ARES MSCI

ARES vs MSCI: by the numbers

  • MSCI is the larger company ($44.49B vs $44.45B market cap).
  • MSCI trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.19 vs 56.87 P/E).
  • MSCI converts more revenue to profit (40.74% vs 9.87% net margin).
  • ARES grew revenue faster over the past five years (27.56% vs 13.02% CAGR).
  • ARES pays the higher dividend yield (3.65% vs 1.26%).

Which is better, ARES or MSCI?

Metric tally: ARES 8 · MSCI 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMSCI(lower P/E)
GrowthARES(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeARES(higher dividend yield)
QualityMSCI(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricARESMSCI
P/E ratio56.8735.19
Forward P/E22.5427.15
P/S ratio4.8113.85
P/B ratio7.53
PEG ratio3.323.48

Profitability

MetricARESMSCI
Gross margin70.73%82.86%
Operating margin22.90%55.36%
Net margin9.87%40.74%
ROE15.47%-45.29%
ROIC5.14%35.34%

Dividends

MetricARESMSCI
Dividend yield3.65%1.26%
Payout ratio252.04%49.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricARESMSCI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)27.56%13.02%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.11%16.73%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.95%5.47%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ARES or MSCI?
It depends on your goal. value: MSCI (lower P/E); growth: ARES (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ARES (higher dividend yield); quality: MSCI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ARES leads 8 to 5.
Is ARES or MSCI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MSCI is cheaper: ARES trades at a 56.87 P/E and MSCI at 35.19.
Which has grown faster, ARES or MSCI?
Over the past five years, ARES grew revenue faster — ARES at a 27.56% CAGR versus MSCI at 13.02%.
Does ARES or MSCI pay a bigger dividend?
ARES yields 3.65% and MSCI yields 1.26% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ARES or MSCI more profitable?
MSCI runs the higher net margin — ARES at 9.87% versus MSCI at 40.74%.
Which has been the better investment, ARES or MSCI?
Over the past 10-year, ARES delivered the higher annualized total return — ARES at 31.04% versus MSCI at 24.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 16, 2026.