MSCI benefits from a strong network effect and high brand recognition that creates a significant barrier to entry for competitors.

“It seems like much of MSI's value actually lies in its brand reputation. When people hear MSEI, they just expect a certain level of quality.”

Economic moats are structural competitive advantages that make it difficult for other companies to compete and generally provide firms with pricing power.

“a moat is just a a structural competitive advantage, something that's an attribute of a business that makes it difficult to compete with them and generally lends them some pricing power.”