Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
(“Agreement”) is entered to be effective as of February 11, 2016 by and among THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY,
a Delaware corporation (“McClatchy”), ___________________, a wholly-owned subsidiary of McClatchy (the
“Transferor”), THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN (the “Plan”), and ___________________
and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Plan (the “Transferee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Transferor
is the owner of that certain real property and improvements located thereon commonly known as ___________________ (collectively,
the “Contributed Property”). The Contributed Property is more particularly described in Exhibit “A”
attached hereto and made a part hereof;

 

WHEREAS, the benefits
under the Plan are funded through a trust, under which The Northern Trust Company is the current trustee, and for purposes of this
Agreement such trust shall be treated as indistinguishable from the Plan and a constituent part of the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, McClatchy
is obligated to contribute funds to the Plan, and in partial satisfaction of such obligation desires to cause Transferor (together
with certain other subsidiaries of McClatchy) to contribute the Contributed Property (together with certain other real property)
to the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, Transferee
is intended to serve as a special purpose entity to a facilitate the transfer of the Contributed Property from Transferor to the
Plan;

 

WHEREAS, upon the contribution
of the Contributed Property to Transferee, Transferor will lease the Contributed Property from Transferee pursuant a mutually agreeable
lease (the “Lease”); and

 

WHEREAS, in furtherance
of the purposes for which Transferee was established, Transferor desires to contribute its entire interest in the Contributed Property
to Transferee, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending legally to be bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

    	 	1	 

     

    

 

ARTICLE
1 

 

Contributions

 

1.1             
Covenants. On the Closing Date (as defined below), Transferor agrees to contribute its entire interest in the Contributed
Property to Transferee and Transferee agrees to accept such contribution from Transferor and to assume all obligations of Transferor
relating to such contribution.

 

1.2 
“AS IS”. Transferee agrees to accept the Contributed Property without representation or warranty
from Transferor or any other person or entity, except as may be expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE
2 

 

Consideration

 

McClatchy and the Plan
acknowledge and agree that in consideration for the contribution of the Contributed Property to the Transferee, McClatchy shall
receive a credit in the amount of __________________________ and No/100 Dollars ($__________.00) (the “Contributed Amount”)
against payments due and/or payable by McClatchy to the Plan.

 

 

ARTICLE
3 

 

Closing

 

3.1             
Closing Procedure. The contribution provided herein shall be consummated (the “Closing”) at a
location mutually agreeable to the parties.

 

3.2             
Closing Date. The Closing shall occur on February 11, 2016, or such other date as the parties may agree (the “Closing
Date”), provided that the Closing shall not occur later than March 31, 2016 (the “Outside Closing Date”).

 

3.3             
Title Policy. As a condition precedent to the Closing, Old Republic Title Company (“Title Company”)
or such other title insurer mutually agreeable to the parties, shall have irrevocably committed to issue to Transferee, its American
Land Title Association standard Owner’s Policy of Title Insurance showing fee title to the Contributed Property vested in
Transferee subject only to those exceptions to title expressly approved by Transferee in its sole and absolute discretion (“Title
Policy”). The Title Policy shall be issued at Transferor’s expense, with liability in an amount equal to the Contribution
Amount.

 

3.4             
Transferor Deposits. As a condition precedent to the Closing, McClatchy and Transferor shall cause to be delivered
to Title Company, in a timely manner to permit the closing of the transaction contemplated hereby by the Closing Date, the following:

 

(a)               
Duly executed and acknowledged Grant Deed, or such similar document as is typically used by Title Company in the state and
county in which the Contributed Property is located, conveying Transferor’s entire interest in the Contributed Property to
Transferee, reciting that title is subject to real property taxes and assessments not yet due and payable, matters ascertainable
by a reasonable inspection and survey of the Contributed Property, matters of public record and any additional off-record matters
approved by Transferee; and

 

    	 	2	 

     

    

 

(b)              
Any other documents or instruments reasonably required by the Title Company to consummate this transaction.

 

3.5             
Transferee Deposits. As a condition precedent to the Closing, Transferee and the Plan shall cause to be delivered
to Title Company, in a timely manner to permit the closing of the transaction contemplated hereby by the Closing Date, such documents
or instruments reasonably required by the Title Company to consummate this transaction.

 

3.6             
Lease. As a condition precedent to the Closing, each of Transferor and Transferee shall have executed and delivered
to the other party a counterpart of the Lease, provided that such Lease shall not be deemed effective unless and until the Closing
occurs.

 

3.7             
Further Assurances. Each of Transferor, Transferee, McClatchy and the Plan, at any time and from time to time after
the Closing, shall execute, acknowledge where appropriate and deliver such further instruments and documents and to take such other
action as the other of them may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement. The provisions
of this Section 3.7 shall survive the Closing.

 

ARTICLE
4 

 

Closing Costs

 

McClatchy shall pay (a) all escrow fees
and costs, (b) any document recording charges, (c) documentary taxes charged as a result of the transaction described herein, (d)
all transfer taxes and fees, and (e) all other costs and expense of escrow and title. Each of McClatchy (on behalf of itself and
the Transferor) and the Plan (on behalf of itself and Transferee) shall be responsible for their respective legal fees incurred
with regard to entering into this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE
5 

 

Representations and Warranties

 

5.1             
Transferee Representations and Warranties. Transferee represents and warrants to Transferor as follows:

 

(a)               
Transferee is a limited liability company, duly organized under the laws of the State of ___________________ with
full right, power and authority to fulfill all of its obligations hereunder or as herein contemplated.

 

(b)              
The execution and delivery by Transferee of this Agreement and the consummation by Transferee of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite action of Transferee and no other action or approval is required to
enable Transferee to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

    	 	3	 

     

    

 

5.2             
Transferor Representations and Warranties. Transferor represents and warrants to Transferee as follows:

 

(a)               
Transferor is a corporation, duly organized under the laws of the State of ___________________ with full right, power
and authority to fulfill all of its obligations hereunder or as herein contemplated.

 

(b)              
The execution and delivery by Transferor of this Agreement and the consummation by Transferor of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all requisite action of Transferor and no other action or approval is required to
enable Transferor to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE
6 

 

Leases/Contracts

 

6.1             
Assignment of Leases. Transferor hereby absolutely and presently conveys, transfers, assigns and sets over unto Transferee
all leases and licenses, if any, upon the Contributed Property or any portion thereof, together with any modifications, renewals,
extensions, substitutions, replacements and/or rearrangements thereof and together with all rents, issues, income and profits due
or to become due therefrom and the cash proceeds therefrom; provided, however, that so long as Transferor shall not have committed
any default under the Lease beyond any applicable notice and cure period, Transferor will have a license to collect all rents from
the leases and licenses and to retain, use and enjoy the same.

 

6.2Contracts.
Transferor hereby acknowledges and agrees that, unless expressly set forth in this Agreement, Transferor is not assigning, and
Transferee is not assuming, any service, maintenance or other contracts relating to the use, maintenance and operation of the Contributed
Property or any portion thereof (collectively, the “Contracts”). As such, Transferor shall solely remain bound
by Transferor’s obligations under the Contracts.

 

ARTICLE
7 

 

Miscellaneous

 

7.1Notices. All notices,
consents, approvals and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
or made (a) upon delivery if hand delivered; (b) one (1) business day after delivery to any nationally recognized overnight courier
service for next business day delivery, fee prepaid; (c) one (1) business day after facsimile transmission, with transmission verified
and a hard copy of the transmission promptly sent by U. S. Mail; or (d) three (3) days after deposit with the United States Postal
Service as registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and in each case addressed to the addresses set forth below, or to such
other addresses as the parties may from time to time designate by notice pursuant to this paragraph.

 

    	 	4	 

     

    

 

 

 

Transferor or McClatchy:

 

___________________

c/o The McClatchy Company

2100 Q Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

Attention: R. Elaine Lintecum

Telephone: 916-321-1834

Facsimile: 916-321-1869

 

With a copy to:

 

The McClatchy Company

2100 Q Street

Sacramento, CA 95816

Attention: Chad O’Neal Muilenburg,
Esq.

Telephone: 916-321-1908

Facsimile: 916-326-5586

 

Transferee or the Plan:

 

___________________

c/o WhiteStar Advisors LLC

902 Clint Moore Road, Suite 104

Boca Raton, Florida 33487

Attention: James E. Bishop

Telephone: (561) 999-9949

Facsimile: (561) 999-9948

 

7.2Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall constitute a single
instrument.

 

7.3Amendments. Except as
otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may not be changed, modified, supplemented or terminated, except by an instrument executed
by the party hereto which is or will be affected by the terms of such change, modification, supplement or termination.

 

7.4Waiver. No waiver by
any party hereto of any failure or refusal by any other party hereto to comply with its obligations hereunder shall not be deemed
a waiver of any other or subsequent failure or refusal to so comply. Any party hereto may waive compliance by any other party,
the other with respect to any of the other’s agreements or obligations set forth herein.

 

7.5Brokers. Each of Transferor
and McClatchy represents and warrants to Transferee and the Plan that neither Transferor nor McClatchy has dealt with any real
estate broker, firm, salesperson or other similar person or entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Each of Transferee and the Plan represents and warrants to Transferor and McClatchy that neither Transferee nor the Plan has dealt
with any real estate broker, firm, salesperson or other similar person or entity in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.

 

    	 	5	 

     

    

 

7.6Successors and Assigns.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
No party may assign its interest under this Agreement without the prior written consent of all other parties. Any purported assignment
in violation of this Section 7.6 shall be null and void.

 

7.7Partial Invalidity. If
any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, to any extent, be invalid
or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other
than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby and each term and provision of this Agreement
shall be valid and enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

7.8Governing Law. This Agreement
has been made pursuant to and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

7.9Consent to
Jurisdiction. THE PARTIES IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO
THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE LITIGATED IN COURTS HAVING SITUS IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA. EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS AND SUBMITS TO THE
JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT LOCATED WITHIN SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH PARTY, AND
AGREES THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED MAIL DIRECTED TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS
AGREEMENT AND SERVICE SO MADE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON ACTUAL RECEIPT.

 

7.10Conduct of Business.
From the date hereof through the Closing Date, Transferor shall cause the Contributed Property to be maintained in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section shall be construed
as requiring Transferor to undertake or cause to be undertaken major repair or improvement in respect of the Contributed Property.

 

    	 	6	 

     

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has
been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.

 

	 	Transferor:
	 	 	 
	 	___________________, a ___________________
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	 
	 	 	R. Elaine Lintecum, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer
	 	 	 
	 	Date: February 11, 2016
	 	 	 
	 	McClatchy:
	 	 	 
	 	THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
	 	 	 
	 	By:	 
	 	 	R. Elaine Lintecum, Vice President – Finance and CFO
	 	Date: February 11, 2016

  

    	 	7	 

     

    

 

	 	Plan:
	 	 	 
	 	THE MCCLATCHY COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN
	 	 	 
	 	By: WhiteStar Advisors, LLC, its investment
	 	manager
	 	 	 
	 	By: 	 
	 	Name: James E. Bishop
	 	Title: Managing Director
	 	Date: February 11, 2016
	 	 	 
	 	Transferee:
	 	 	 
	 	___________________,
	 	a ___________________
	 	 	 
	 	By: WhiteStar Advisors, LLC, as its Non-Member
	 	Manager
	 	 	 
	 	By:   	 
	 	Name: Joseph Arndt
	 	Title: Senior Vice President
	 	Date: February 11, 2016

  

    	 	8	 

     

    

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Contributed Property

 

    	 	9EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

2016 MULTI-YEAR PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT 

FOR PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS 

FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 

UNDER THE MSCI INC. 2007 AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE 

COMPENSATION PLAN 
 MSCI Inc.
(“MSCI,” and together with its Subsidiaries, the “Company”) hereby grants to you Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) as described below. The awards are being granted under the MSCI Inc. 2007 Amended
and Restated Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”). 
  

			
	Participant:	  	[Name]
		
	Number of PSUs Granted:	  	[#] PSUs (the “Target PSUs”)
		
	Grant Date:	  	[Date] (the “Grant Date”)
		
	Vesting Schedule:	  	[●]
		
	Performance Period:	  	[●]

 Your PSUs may be subject to forfeiture or recoupment if you terminate employment with the Company or do not comply with the
notice requirements, as set forth in the Plan and this Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (including Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C attached hereto, this “Award Agreement”). [As of the Grant Date, you
are Full Career Retirement eligible (as defined in Exhibit A attached hereto), subject to the terms of this Award Agreement.] 
 You agree that this
Award Agreement is granted under the Plan and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and Exhibit A, Exhibit B and Exhibit C attached hereto. You also agree that PSUs granted to you pursuant to this Award Agreement
and any Shares issued in settlement or satisfaction thereof are subject to the MSCI Clawback Policy and any stock ownership guidelines of MSCI, as may be in effect from time to time. You will be able to access a prospectus and tax supplement that
contains important information about this award via the MSCI website or your brokerage account. Unless defined in this Award Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSCI has duly executed and delivered this Award Agreement as of the Grant Date. 

 

	
	MSCI Inc.
	
	  

	Name:
	Title:

 EXHIBIT A 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

OF THE 2016 PERFORMANCE AWARD AGREEMENT 

Section 1. PSUs Generally. MSCI has awarded you PSUs as an incentive for you to continue to provide services to the Company and to
align your interests with those of the Company. As such, you will earn your Adjusted PSUs (as defined below) only if you remain in continuous employment with the Company through the Vesting Date, or as otherwise set forth below. Each PSU corresponds
to one share of MSCI common stock, par value $0.01 per share (each, a “Share”). Each PSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by MSCI to deliver one Share on the conversion date for such PSU. 

Section 2. Performance Adjustment, Vesting and Conversion Schedule and HSR Act. 

(a) Performance Adjustment. The number of Target PSUs awarded under this Award Agreement shall be adjusted, within a range of [●]%
to [●]% of the number of Target PSUs, after the end of the Performance Period based on the achievement of the [●] and, if applicable, [●] performance metrics (collectively, the “Performance Metrics”) set forth in
Appendix 1 hereto. Following the end of the Initial Performance Period and, if applicable, the Extended Performance Period, management of MSCI shall provide its calculation of the Performance Metrics to the Committee. The Committee will
review the extent of the achievement of the Performance Metrics and shall certify in writing such achievement. 
 The number of PSUs that
will be converted into Shares pursuant to Section 2(b), Section 4 or Section 5 (the “Adjusted PSUs”) will be determined based on the following formula on a date no later than [●] (such date, the “Adjustment
Date”): 
  

									
	Target PSUs	  	×	 	 Adjustment Percentage

(as defined in Appendix 1)
	  	=	  	Number of
Adjusted PSUs

 (b) Vesting and Conversion. The Target PSUs will vest (as to service) [●] (the “Vesting
Date”), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(a); provided that, subject to Section 4 and Section 5, you continue to be employed by the Company on the Vesting Date; provided, further, that you have complied with
all applicable provisions of the HSR Act. Vested Adjusted PSUs shall convert into Shares no earlier than [●], and no later than the Adjustment Date. 

(c) HSR Act. If Adjusted PSUs would have vested pursuant to this Section 2 or Section 4, but did not vest solely because you were not
in compliance with all applicable provisions of the HSR Act, subject to Section 409A, the vesting date for such Adjusted PSUs shall occur on the first date following the date on which you have complied with all applicable provisions of the HSR
Act. 

  
 A-1 

 Section 3. Dividend Equivalent Payments. 

Until your PSUs convert to Shares, if MSCI pays a dividend on Shares, you will be credited with a dividend equivalent payment in the same
amount as the dividend you would have received if you held Shares for your vested and unvested PSUs immediately prior to the record date (taking into account any adjustments pursuant to Section 2(a) and adjustments provided under the Plan). Assuming
you hold PSUs on the record date, MSCI will credit the dividend equivalent payments when it pays the corresponding dividend on its Shares. Your dividend equivalents will vest and be paid at the same time as, and subject to the same vesting and
cancellation provisions set forth in this Award Agreement with respect to, your PSUs (provided that, subject to Section 21, the dividend equivalents may be paid following the scheduled conversion date on the next regularly scheduled payroll
date). No dividend equivalents will be paid to you with respect to any canceled or forfeited PSUs. MSCI will decide on the form of payment and may pay dividend equivalents in Shares, in cash or in a combination thereof, unless otherwise provided in
Exhibit C. 
 Section 4. Termination of Employment. Upon termination of employment with the Company prior to the Vesting
Date pursuant to this Section 4, the following special vesting and payment terms will apply to your unvested PSUs: 
 (a) Termination of
Employment Due to Death or Disability. If your employment with the Company terminates due to death or Disability, in each case, prior to the Vesting Date, the Target PSUs will be pro-rated by multiplying (i) the number of Target PSUs by
(ii) a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is the sum of (x) the number of months elapsed from the Grant Date until the date of such termination (rounded up to the next whole month) plus (y) 12 months (provided,
that in no event shall the numerator exceed 36 months), and (B) the denominator of which is 36 months. The pro-rated Target PSUs will then be converted into Adjusted PSUs pursuant to Section 2(a), which Adjusted PSUs will vest and convert into
Shares on the Adjustment Date (even though you are not employed by the Company on the Vesting Date). Upon a termination of employment due to death, the Adjusted PSUs shall be delivered in accordance with Section 10. 

(b) Involuntary Termination of Employment by the Company. In the event of an involuntary termination of your employment by the Company
without Cause: (i) on or prior to [●], one-third of your Target PSUs will vest and will convert into Shares on the Adjustment Date; (ii) after [●] but on or prior to [●], two-thirds of your Target PSUs will vest and will
convert into Shares on the Adjustment Date; or (iii) after [●], all of your Target PSUs will vest and will convert into Shares on the Adjustment Date, in each case, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(a) (even though you
are not employed by the Company on the Vesting Date); provided that such vesting and conversion is subject to your execution and non-revocation of an agreement and release of claims satisfactory to the Company within 60 days following
termination of your employment. 
 (c) Full Career Retirement. If your employment with the Company terminates due to Full Career
Retirement: (i) prior to or on the Vesting Date, [●]% of your 

  
 A-2 

 
Target PSUs will convert into Shares on the Adjustment Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(a); provided, that, if on the Adjustment Date you are subject to a
non-compete restriction (other than those set forth in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement) which has not yet expired, your PSUs will convert into Shares at any time, in the discretion of the Committee, during the period (x) commencing on
the Adjustment Date and (y) ending on [●], or (ii) after the Vesting Date, but prior to the Adjustment Date, your Adjusted PSUs will convert into Shares on [●]. 

(d) Governmental Service Termination. If your employment with the Company terminates prior to the Adjustment Date in a Governmental
Service Termination, to the extent permitted under Section 409A, your PSUs will be adjusted (within a range of [●]% to [●]%) based on the expected (or actual, as the case may be if such termination occurs after the expiration of the
Performance Period) achievement of the Performance Metrics for the Performance Period, which will be determined by extrapolating from the Performance Metrics that have been achieved as of the end of the most recent completed fiscal quarter prior to
the date your employment with the Company terminates, and such Adjusted PSUs will vest and convert into Shares within 60 days following the date of such termination. If your employment with the Company terminates after the Adjustment Date in a
Governmental Service Termination under circumstances not involving a Cancellation Event, your Adjusted PSUs will vest and convert into Shares within 60 days following the date of such termination. 

(e) Other Resignations from Employment. All other resignations from employment must comply with the Notice Requirements. 

(i) If you resign from your employment with the Company under circumstances which are not in accordance with the provisions
above in this Section 4, you will forfeit any PSUs that have not vested as of your last day of employment with the Company; and 

(ii) If, prior to the Vesting Date, you give MSCI notice of your intention to resign from your employment with the Company as
of a date following the Vesting Date, your PSUs will vest and settle in accordance with Section 2; provided, however, that if you do not subsequently comply with the Notice Requirements, the Committee may, in its discretion, require
that the gross cash value of the PSUs delivered to you in accordance with this Section 4(e)(ii) be subject to recoupment or payback. 
 For the avoidance of
doubt, (A) revocation of a notice of intention to resign may, in the Company’s sole discretion or if required to comply with Section 409A, be deemed to be noncompliant with the Notice Requirements and, in connection with such
revocation, your PSUs may be forfeited and (B) if, after you have given notice of your intention to resign or retire, as applicable, from your employment with the Company, the Company involuntarily terminates your employment without Cause prior
to the expiration of your notice period, your outstanding PSUs will be treated in accordance with Section 4(b) or 4(c), as applicable. 

  
 A-3 

 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Adjusted PSUs shall only vest pursuant to this
Section 4 provided that you have complied with all applicable provisions of the HSR Act. 
 Section 5. Change in Control. 

(a) General. In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for (i) the continuation or
assumption of your outstanding PSUs under the Plan by the Company (if it is the surviving corporation) or by the surviving corporation or its parent, in which case your PSUs will continue to be subject to the terms of this Award Agreement, or
(ii) the lapse of restrictions relating to and the settlement of your outstanding PSUs immediately prior to such Change in Control in the event a buyer will not continue or assume the PSUs; provided, however, in each case, the
Performance Metric targets relating to any outstanding Target PSUs (that are not Adjusted PSUs) will be deemed to have been achieved at [●]. Following a Change in Control in which your outstanding PSUs are continued or assumed pursuant to
clause (i) above, such PSUs may be settled in cash, stock or a combination thereof. 
 (b) Qualifying Termination. In the event of a
Qualifying Termination (as defined below), a number of your PSUs will vest and convert into Shares within 60 days following such Qualifying Termination, determined by multiplying your PSUs by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the sum of
(A) the number of months elapsed from the Grant Date until the date of such Qualifying Termination (rounded up to the next whole month) plus (B) 12 months (provided, that in no event shall the numerator exceed 36 months), and
(ii) the denominator of which is 36 months. If such 60-day period begins in one taxable year and ends in a subsequent taxable year, such vesting and conversion shall occur in the second taxable year. “Qualifying Termination”
means a termination of employment by the Company without Cause or by you for Good Reason (which shall be deemed an involuntary termination of employment by the Company without Cause), in each case within 24 months following the effective date of the
Change in Control in which the PSUs are continued or assumed. 
 Section 6. Restrictive Covenants. In consideration of the grant
of PSUs under this Award Agreement, and in consideration for all other awards granted by the Company to you under the Plan, you agree to be bound by, and to comply with, the restrictive covenants set forth in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement
(collectively, the “Restrictive Covenants”). In the event you violate any of the Restrictive Covenants (a) prior to or on the Adjustment Date, you will forfeit the PSUs (whether or not they are Adjusted PSUs) outstanding as of
the date of such violation or (b) after the Adjustment Date, but prior to or on the expiry date of the Restrictive Covenants (as set forth in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement), you will promptly deliver to the Company all Shares
acquired upon conversion of the Adjusted PSUs (or, to the extent you no longer hold such Shares, you will pay to the Company an amount on a gross basis equal to the Fair Market Value of any such Shares on the date the Shares were delivered to you).
You may be required to provide MSCI with a written certification or other evidence that it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to confirm that you have not violated any of the Restrictive Covenants. 

  
 A-4 

 Section 7. Cancellation of Awards. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Award
Agreement, your PSUs will be canceled prior to conversion in the event of any Cancellation Event. You may be required to provide MSCI with a written certification or other evidence that it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to confirm that
no Cancellation Event has occurred. If you fail to submit a timely certification or evidence, MSCI will cancel your award. Except as explicitly provided in Section 4, upon a termination of your employment by you or by the Company for any reason, any
of your PSUs that have not vested pursuant to Section 2 as of the date of your termination of employment with the Company will be canceled and forfeited in full as of such date. 

Section 8. Tax and Other Withholding Obligations. Pursuant to rules and procedures that MSCI establishes (including those set
forth in Section 16 of the Plan), tax or other withholding obligations arising upon vesting and conversion (as applicable) of your PSUs may be satisfied, in MSCI’s sole discretion, by having MSCI withhold Shares, tendering Shares or by
having MSCI withhold cash if MSCI provides for a cash withholding option, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax or other withholding obligations. Shares withheld or tendered will be valued using the Fair Market Value of the Shares
on the date your PSUs convert. In order to comply with applicable accounting standards or the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, MSCI may limit the amount of Shares that you may have withheld or that you may tender. You acknowledge
that, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items (as defined below) in more than one jurisdiction, the Company (including any former employer) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction. 

Section 9. Nontransferability. You may not sell, pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise transfer your PSUs, other than as
provided in Section 10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise as provided for by the Committee. 
 Section 10.
Designation of a Beneficiary. If you reside in the United States, you may make a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive all or part of the Shares to be paid under this Award Agreement in the event of your death. To
make a beneficiary designation, you must complete and file the form attached hereto as Appendix 2 with your personal tax or estate planning representative. Any Shares that become payable upon your death, and as to which a designation of
beneficiary is not in effect, will be distributed to your estate. You may replace or revoke your beneficiary designation at any time. If there is any question as to the legal right of any beneficiary(ies) to receive Shares under this award, MSCI may
determine in its sole discretion to deliver the Shares in question to your estate. MSCI’s determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons, and it will have no further liability to anyone with respect to such Shares. 

Section 11. Ownership and Possession. Except as set forth herein, you will not have any rights as a stockholder in the Shares
corresponding to your PSUs prior to conversion of your PSUs. 
 Section 12. Securities Law Compliance Matters. MSCI may, if it
determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the stock certificates representing Shares issued upon 

  
 A-5 

 
conversion of your PSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates. MSCI may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against
such Shares if it determines that such an order is necessary or advisable. 
 Section 13. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.
Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of Shares issued upon conversion of your PSUs (whether directly or indirectly, whether or not for value, and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with
any applicable constitution, rule, regulation, or policy of any of the exchanges, associations or other institutions with which MSCI has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental
agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory body. 
 Section 14. No Entitlements. 

(a) No Right to Continued Employment. This PSU award is not an employment agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan
shall alter your status as an “at-will” employee of the Company. 
 (b) No Right to Future Awards. This award, and all
other awards of PSUs and other equity-based awards, are discretionary. This award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive another award of PSUs or any other equity-based award at any time in the future or in respect of any future
period. You agree that any release required under Section 4 of this Award Agreement is in exchange for the grant of PSUs hereunder, for which you have no current entitlement. 

(c) No Effect on Future Employment Compensation. MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion. This award does not confer on
you any right or entitlement to receive compensation in any specific amount. In addition, this award is not part of your base salary or wages and will not be taken into account in determining any other employment-related rights you may have, such as
rights to pension or severance pay. 
 Section 15. No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or
financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, legal and financial
advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan. 
 Section 16. Consents under Local
Law. Your award is conditioned upon the making of all filings and the receipt of all consents or authorizations required to comply with, or to be obtained under, applicable local law. 

Section 17. Award Modification and Section 409A. 

(a) Modification. MSCI reserves the right to modify or amend unilaterally the terms and conditions of your PSUs, without first asking
your consent, or to waive any 

  
 A-6 

 
terms and conditions that operate in favor of MSCI. MSCI may not modify your PSUs in a manner that would materially impair your rights in your PSUs without your consent; provided, however,
that MSCI may, without your consent, amend or modify your PSUs in any manner that MSCI considers necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law, stock market or exchange rules and regulations or accounting or tax rules and regulations or to
ensure that your PSUs are not subject to tax prior to payment. MSCI will notify you of any amendment of your PSUs that affects your rights. Any amendment or waiver of a provision of this Award Agreement (other than any amendment or waiver applicable
to all recipients generally), which amendment or waiver operates in your favor or confers a benefit on you, must be in writing and signed by the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the
General Counsel (or if such positions no longer exist, by the holders of equivalent positions) to be effective. 
 (b) Section 409A.

 (i) You understand and agree that all payments made pursuant to this Award Agreement are intended to be exempt and/or
comply with Section 409A, and shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company makes no representations that the payments provided under this Award Agreement comply with Section 409A, and
in no event will the Company be liable for any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by you on account of non-compliance with Section 409A. 

(ii) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Award Agreement, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, no
conversion specified hereunder shall occur unless permissible under Section 409A. If MSCI considers you to be one of its “specified employees” and you are a U.S. taxpayer, in each case, at the time of your “separation from
service” (as such terms are defined in the Code) from the Company, no conversion specified hereunder shall occur prior to the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of your separation from service from the Company (such
period, the “Specified Employee Period”). Any conversion of Adjusted PSUs into Shares that would have occurred during the Specified Employee Period but for the fact that you are deemed to be a specified employee shall be satisfied
either by (A) conversion of such Adjusted PSUs into Shares on the first business day following the Specified Employee Period or (B) a cash payment on the first business day following the Specified Employee Period equal to the value of such
Adjusted PSUs on the scheduled conversion date (based on the value of the Shares on such date) plus accrued interest as determined by MSCI; provided, that to the extent this Section 17(b)(ii) is applicable, in the event that after the date of
your separation from service from the Company you (X) die or (Y) accept employment at a Governmental Employer and provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that as a result of such new employment the divestiture of your
continued interest in MSCI equity awards or continued ownership of the Shares is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local, foreign ethics or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental

  
 A-7 

 
Employer, any conversion or payment delayed pursuant to this Section 17(b)(ii) shall occur or be made immediately. For the avoidance of doubt, any determination as to form of payment provided in
this Section 17(b)(ii) will be in the sole discretion of MSCI. 
 (iii) For purposes of any provision of this Award Agreement
providing for the payment of any amounts of nonqualified deferred compensation upon or following a termination of employment from the Company, references to your “termination of employment” (and corollary terms) shall be construed to refer
to your “separation from service” from the Company. 
 (iv) MSCI reserves the right to modify the terms of this
Award Agreement, including, without limitation, the payment provisions applicable to your PSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A and reserves the right to make any changes to your PSU award so that it does not
become subject to Section 409A or become subject to a Specified Employee Period. 
 Section 18. Severability. In the event
MSCI determines that any provision of this Award Agreement would cause you to be in constructive receipt for United States federal or state income tax purposes of any portion of your award, then such provision will be considered null and void, and
this Award Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the provision had not been included in this Award Agreement as of the date such provision was determined to cause you to be in constructive receipt of any portion of your award. 

Section 19. Successors. This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the
Company and any person or persons who shall, upon your death, acquire any rights hereunder in accordance with this Award Agreement or the Plan. 

Section 20. Governing Law; Venue. This Award Agreement and the related legal relations between you and the Company will be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts or choice of law, rule or principle that might otherwise refer the interpretation of the award to the substantive law of another
jurisdiction. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or the Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the
courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the United States for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed. 

Section 21. Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion. With respect to each provision of this Award Agreement that provides
for your PSUs to convert to Shares, or your dividend equivalents to be paid, on a specified event or date, such conversion or payment will be considered to have been timely made, and neither you nor any of your beneficiaries or your estate shall
have any claim against the Company for damages based on a delay in conversion or payment, and the Company shall have no 

  
 A-8 

 
liability to you (or to any of your beneficiaries or your estate) in respect of any such delay, as long as payment is made by December 31 of the year in which the applicable vesting date or
such other specified event or date occurs, or if later, by March 15th of the year following such specified event or date. 

Section 22. Non-U.S. Participants. The following provisions will apply to you if you reside or work outside of the United States.
For the avoidance of doubt, if you reside or work in the United States and subsequently relocate to another country after the Grant Date, or if you reside in another country and subsequently relocate to the United States after the Grant Date, the
following provisions may apply to you to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for tax, legal or administrative reasons. 

(a) Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise provided in Section 4, your employment relationship will be considered terminated as of
the date you are no longer actively providing services to the Company (whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or the terms of your employment agreement, if any), and such
date will not be extended by any notice period (i.e., your period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where
you are employed or the terms of your employment agreement, if any). 
 (b) Tax and Other Withholding Obligations. You acknowledge
that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally
applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company. You further acknowledge that the Company (i) makes no representations or undertaking
regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the PSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the
receipt of any dividend equivalents and/or dividends; and (ii) does not commit to and is under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the PSUs to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve
any particular tax result. 
 If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, you are
deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested PSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. 

In the event that withholding in and/or tendering Shares is problematic under applicable tax or securities law or has materially adverse
accounting consequences, by your acceptance of the PSUs, you authorize and direct MSCI and any brokerage firm determined acceptable to MSCI to sell on your behalf a whole number of Shares from those Shares issued to you as MSCI determines to be
appropriate to generate cash proceeds sufficient to satisfy the obligation for Tax-Related Items. Depending on the 

  
 A-9 

 
withholding method, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering maximum applicable rates, in which case you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash
and will have no entitlement to the stock equivalent. 
 Finally, you agree to pay to the Company, including through withholding from your
wages or other cash compensation paid to you by MSCI and/or your employer, any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company may be required to withhold or account for as a result of your participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the
means previously described. MSCI may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items. 

(c) Nature of Grant. In accepting the PSUs, you acknowledge, understand and agree that: 

(i) the Plan is established voluntarily by MSCI, it is discretionary in nature and it may be modified, amended, suspended or
terminated by MSCI at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan; 
 (ii) this PSU award is not an employment or service
agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or your participation in the Plan shall create a right to continued employment with the Company or interfere with the ability of the Company to terminate your employment or service relationship (if
any); 
 (iii) this award, and all other awards of PSUs and other equity-based awards, are exceptional, discretionary,
voluntary and occasional. This award does not confer on you any contractual or other right or entitlement to receive another award of PSUs, any other equity-based award or benefits in lieu of PSUs at any time in the future or in respect of any
future period. You agree that any release required under Section 4 of this Award Agreement is in exchange for the grant of PSUs hereunder, for which you have no current entitlement. 

(iv) MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion. All decisions with respect to future PSU or other grants, if any,
will be at the sole discretion of MSCI; 
 (v) you are voluntarily participating in the Plan; 

(vi) the grant of PSUs and the Shares subject to the PSUs are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation; 

(vii) this award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive compensation in any specific amount. In addition,
the PSUs and the Shares subject to the PSUs, and the income and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments,
bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments, and in no event should be considered as compensation for, or relating in any way to, past services for the Company, the employer, or any
Subsidiary; 

  
 A-10 

 (viii) unless otherwise agreed with MSCI, the PSUs and the Shares subject to the
PSUs, and the income and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service you may provide as a director of a Subsidiary; 

(ix) the future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted with certainty; 

(x) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the PSUs resulting from the termination
of your employment relationship (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or the terms of your employment agreement, if any); and 

(xi) you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall not be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your
local currency and the U.S. Dollar that may affect the value of the PSU or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the settlement of the PSU or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement. 

(d) Data Privacy. You hereby explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and
transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other PSU grant materials by and among, as applicable, MSCI and any Subsidiary for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and
managing your participation in the Plan. 
 You understand that the Company may hold certain personal
information about you, including, but not limited to, your name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in MSCI,
details of all PSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan. 

You understand that Data will be transferred to E*Trade Financial Corporate Services, Inc., or such other stock plan service provider as
may be selected by MSCI in the future, which is assisting MSCI with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. You understand that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the
recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country. You understand that if you reside outside the United States, you may request a list with the names and addresses
of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting your local Human Resources representative. You authorize MSCI, E*Trade Financial Corporate Services, Inc., and any other possible recipients which

  
 A-11 

 
may assist MSCI (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the
sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan. You understand if you
reside outside the United States, you may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost,
by contacting in writing your local Human Resources representative. Further, you understand that you are providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis. If you do not consent, or if you later seek to revoke your consent, your service and
career with the Company will not be adversely affected; the only consequence of refusing or withdrawing your consent is that MSCI would not be able to grant you PSUs or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards. Therefore, you
understand that refusing or withdrawing your consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of your refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, you understand that you may contact your local
Human Resources representative. 
 (e) Language. If you have received this Award Agreement or any other document related to
the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control. 

(f) Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. MSCI may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future
participation in the Plan by electronic means. You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an online or electronic system established and maintained by MSCI or a third party
designated by MSCI. 
 (g) Exhibit C. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Award Agreement, the PSUs shall be subject to any
special terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit C to this Award Agreement for your country. Moreover, if you relocate to one of the countries included in Exhibit C, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to you,
to the extent MSCI determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. Exhibit C constitutes part of this Award Agreement. 

(h) Insider Trading Restrictions/Market Abuse Laws. You acknowledge that, depending on your country of residence, you may be subject to
insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., PSUs) under the Plan during such times as you are considered to have “inside information”
regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in your country). Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. You
acknowledge that you are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions, and you should consult your personal legal advisor on this matter. 

  
 A-12 

 Section 23. Defined Terms. For purposes of this Award Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below: 
 A “Cancellation Event” will be deemed to have occurred under any one of the
following circumstances: 
 (a) misuse of Confidential Information (as defined in Exhibit B to this Award Agreement) or failure to
comply with your obligations under MSCI’s Code of Conduct or otherwise with respect to Confidential Information; 
 (b) termination
from the Company for Cause (or a later determination that you could have been terminated for Cause; provided that such determination is made within six months of termination); or 

(c) your commission of a fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which leads to a material restatement of the Company’s financial
statements. 
 “Cause” means: 

(a) any act or omission which constitutes a material willful breach of your obligations to the Company or your continued and willful refusal
to substantially perform satisfactorily any duties reasonably required of you, which results in material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which breach, failure or refusal (if susceptible to cure) is not corrected
(other than failure to correct by reason of your incapacity due to physical or mental illness) within 30 days after written notification thereof to you by the Company; provided that no act or failure to act on your part shall be deemed
willful unless done or omitted to be done by you not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was in the best interest of the Company; 

(b) your commission of any dishonest or fraudulent act, or any other act or omission with respect to the Company, which has caused or may
reasonably be expected to cause a material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which act or omission is not successfully refuted by you within 30 days after written notification thereof to you by the Company; 

(c) your plea of guilty or nolo contendere to or conviction of a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any
other plea or confession of a similar crime in a jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business; or 
 (d) your commission of a
fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which leads to a material restatement of the Company’s financial statements. 
 A
“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the following conditions shall have been satisfied: 
 (a)
any one person or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under Section 409A), other than (i) any employee plan established by the Company, (ii) the Company or any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated
under the 

  
 A-13 

 
Exchange Act), (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of
MSCI in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of MSCI, is or becomes, during any 12-month period, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such
person(s) any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its affiliates of a business) representing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of MSCI;
provided that the provisions of this subsection (a) are not intended to apply to or include as a Change in Control any transaction that is specifically excepted from the definition of Change in Control under subsection (c) below;

 (b) a change in the composition of the Board such that, during any 12-month period, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such
period, constitute the Board (the “Existing Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such
period whose election, or nomination for election by MSCI’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors immediately prior to the date of such appointment or election shall be considered as though such individual
were a member of the Existing Board; and provided, further, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms
are used in Rule 14a-11 or Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act or successor statutes or rules containing analogous concepts) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual,
corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or “person” other than the Board, shall in any event be considered to be a member of the Existing Board; 

(c) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, or the issuance of voting
securities in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Company pursuant to applicable stock exchange requirements; provided that immediately following such merger or consolidation the voting securities of MSCI outstanding immediately
prior thereto do not continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation or parent entity thereof) 50% or more of the total voting power of
MSCI’s stock (or if the Company is not the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such surviving entity or parent entity thereof); and provided, further, that a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (as determined under Section 409A) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not
including in the securities beneficially owned by such person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by the Company or its affiliates of a business) representing 50% or more
of either the then outstanding Shares or the combined voting power of MSCI’s then-outstanding voting securities shall not be considered a Change in Control; or 

  
 A-14 

 (d) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s
assets in which any one person or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under Section 409A) acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets
from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or
series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of MSCI common stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which
owns substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions and (2) no event or circumstances described in any of clauses (a) through (d) above shall constitute a Change in
Control unless such event or circumstances also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as defined in Section 409A. In addition, no
Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon the acquisition of additional control of the Company by any one person or more than one person acting as a group that is considered to effectively control the Company. In no event will a Change
in Control be deemed to have occurred if you are part of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act that effects a Change in Control. 

Terms used in the definition of a Change in Control shall be as defined or interpreted pursuant to Section 409A. 

“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, any successor committee thereto or any other committee of the
Board appointed by the Board with the powers of the Committee under the Plan, or any subcommittee appointed by such Committee; provided, however, that, for purposes of administering Section 4 with respect to awards granted to
participants who are not officers or directors of the Company subject to Section 17(b) of the Exchange Act, the Committee may delegate its authority to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer or Head of Compensation
and Benefits. 
 “Disability” means (a) you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or (b) you, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, are receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan
covering employees of the Company. 

  
 A-15 

 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

[“Full Career Retirement” means a termination of employment with the Company (other than (x) under circumstances
involving any Cancellation Event (other than the required notice periods) or (y) due to (A) your death or Disability or (B) an involuntary termination of your employment by the Company without Cause)]. 

[“Full Career Retirement” means a termination of employment with the Company (other than (x) under circumstances
involving any Cancellation Event (other than the required notice periods) or (y) due to (A) your death or Disability or (B) an involuntary termination of your employment by the Company without Cause) on or after the date that you
attain the age of 55 and ten years of service with the Company (giving effect to credit for prior service with MSCI’s Subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable). For the avoidance of doubt, you will only receive credit for employment with
entities which are MSCI’s Subsidiaries and affiliates to the extent that you were an employee of such entity on the closing date of the applicable corporate transaction pursuant to which such entity became a Subsidiary or affiliate of MSCI and,
in each case, you became an employee of MSCI (or one of its Subsidiaries) as of the closing date of such transaction.] 
 “Good
Reason” means: 
 (a) any material diminution in your title, status, position, the scope of your assigned duties, responsibilities
or authority, including the assignment to you of any duties, responsibilities or authority inconsistent with the duties, responsibilities and authority assigned to you prior to a Change in Control (including any such diminution resulting from a
transaction in which the Company is no longer a public company); 
 (b) any reduction in your Total Reward that was in existence prior to a
Change in Control (for purposes of this clause (b), Total Reward is comprised of your annual base salary, your annual bonus and the grant date fair value of your equity-based incentive compensation awards for the year prior to the year in which your
termination of employment occurs); 
 (c) a relocation of more than 25 miles from the location of your principal job location or office
prior to a Change in Control; or 
 (d) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of any agreement
pursuant to which you provide services to the Company; 
 provided, that you provide the Company with written notice of your intent
to terminate your employment for Good Reason within 90 days of your becoming aware of any circumstances set forth above (with such notice indicating the specific termination provision above on which you are relying and describing in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of your employment under the indicated provision) and that you provide the Company with at least 30 days following receipt of such notice to remedy such circumstances.

  
 A-16 

 “Governmental Employer” means a federal governmental or executive branch
department or agency. 
 “Governmental Service Termination” means the termination of your employment with the Company as a
result of your accepting employment at a Governmental Employer and you provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that, as a result of such new employment, the divestiture of your continued interest in MSCI equity awards or continued
ownership in MSCI common stock is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local, foreign ethics or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental Employer. 

“HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. 

“Notice Requirements” means prior written notice to MSCI of at least: 

(a) 180 days if you are a member of the MSCI Executive Committee (or a successor or equivalent committee) at the time of notice of
resignation; or 
 (b) 90 days if you are a Managing Director of the Company (or equivalent title) at the time of notice of resignation.

 For the avoidance of doubt, employees working or residing outside of the United States may be subject to notice periods mandated under local labor or
regulatory requirements which may differ from the Notice Requirements set forth above. 
 “Section 409A” means
Section 409A of the Code. 

  
 A-17 

 APPENDIX 1 

[PERFORMANCE METRICS] 

  
 APPENDIX 1-1 

 APPENDIX 2 

Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Under 

MSCI Inc. 2007 Amended and Restated 

Equity Incentive Compensation Plan 
 This
Designation of Beneficiary(ies) shall remain in effect with respect to all awards issued to me under any MSCI equity compensation plan, including any awards that may be issued to me after the date hereof, unless and until I modify or revoke it by
submitting a later dated beneficiary designation. This Designation of Beneficiary(ies) supersedes all my prior beneficiary designations with respect to all my equity awards. 

I hereby designate the following beneficiary(ies) to receive any survivor benefits with respect to all my equity awards: 

 

							
	 	  	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	Percentage
	(1)	  		  		  	
	(2)	  		  		  	

 Address(es) of Beneficiary(ies): 
  

	(1)	

	(2)	

 Contingent Beneficiary(ies) 

Please also indicate any contingent beneficiary(ies) and to which beneficiary(ies) above such interest relates. 

 

							
	 	  	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	Nature of Contingency
	(1)	  		  		  	
	(2)	  		  		  	

 Address(es) of Contingent Beneficiary(ies): 
  

	(1)	

	(2)	

  

			
	 Name: (please print)
	  	Date:                     

 Signature 
 Please complete and
file this form with your personal tax or estate planning representative. 

  
 APPENDIX 2-1 

 EXHIBIT B 

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS 

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Award Agreement. 

Section 1. Confidential Information; Assignment of Inventions. (a) During your employment or service with the Company and at
all times thereafter, you agree to keep secret and retain in strictest confidence and trust for the sole benefit of the Company, and shall not disclose, directly or indirectly, or use for your benefit or the benefit of others, without the prior
written consent of the Company, any Confidential Information. For purposes of this Exhibit B and the Award Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean all proprietary or confidential matters or trade secrets of, and
confidential and competitively valuable information concerning, the Company (whether or not such information is in written form). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Confidential Information shall include: information concerning
organization and operations, business and affairs; formulae, processes, technical data; “know-how”; flow charts; computer programs and computer software; access codes or other systems of information; algorithms; technology and business
processes; business, product or marketing plans or strategies; sales and other forecasts; financial information or financing/financial projections; lists of clients or customers or potential clients or customers; details of client or consultant
contracts; supplier or vendor lists or arrangements; business acquisition or disposition plans; employee information, new personnel acquisition plans and information relating to compensation and benefits; budget information and procedures; research
products; research and development; all data, concepts, ideas, findings, discoveries, developments, programs, designs, inventions, improvements, methods, practices and techniques, whether or not patentable, relating to present or planned future
activities or products or services; and public information that becomes proprietary as a result of the Company’s compilation of that information for use in its business; provided, however, that the Confidential Information shall
in no event include (x) any Confidential Information which was generally available to the public at the time of disclosure by you or (y) any Confidential Information which becomes publicly available other than as a consequence of the
breach by you of your confidentiality obligations hereunder or under any other confidentiality agreement you have entered into with the Company, if any. In the event of a termination of your employment or service with the Company for any reason, you
shall deliver to MSCI all documents and data pertaining to the Confidential Information and shall not take with you any documents or data of any kind or any reproductions (in whole or in part) or extracts of any items relating to the Confidential
Information. Nothing contained in this Section 1 of this Exhibit B shall prohibit you from disclosing Confidential Information if such disclosure is required by law, governmental process or valid legal process. Unless you are reporting a
possible violation of law to a governmental entity or law enforcement, making a disclosure that is protected under the whistleblower protections of applicable law and/or participating in a governmental investigation, in the event that you are
legally compelled to disclose any of the Confidential Information, you shall provide MSCI with prompt written notice so that MSCI, at its sole cost and expense, may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the
provisions of this 

  
 B-1 

 
Section 1 of this Exhibit B. If such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or if the Company waives compliance with the provisions of this Section 1, you shall
furnish only that portion of the Confidential Information that you in good faith believe is legally required to be disclosed. In addition to the foregoing, and subject to the second preceding sentence, you hereby agree to comply with the
requirements of any and all agreements that you have entered into, or may in the future enter into, with the Company with respect to the use or disclosure of confidential or proprietary information of the Company. 

(b) All rights to discoveries, inventions, improvements and innovations, copyright and copyrightable materials (including all data and records
pertaining thereto) related to the business of the Company, whether or not patentable, copyrightable, registrable as a trademark or reduced to writing, that you may discover, invent or originate during your employment or service with the Company or
any predecessor entity, either alone or with others and whether or not during working hours or by the use of the facilities of the Company (collectively, “Inventions”), shall be the exclusive property of the Company, and you hereby
irrevocably assign all right, title and interest in and to all Inventions to the Company. You shall promptly disclose all Inventions to the Company, shall execute at the request of the Company any assignments or other documents that the Company may
deem necessary to protect or perfect the rights of the Company therein, and shall assist the Company, at the Company’s expense, in obtaining, defending and enforcing the Company’s rights therein. You hereby appoint the Company as your
attorney-in-fact to execute on your behalf any assignments or other documents deemed necessary by the Company to protect or perfect its rights to any Inventions. 

Section 2. Non-Compete. During your employment or service with the Company and for a period of one year following the termination
of your employment or service with the Company for any reason (the “Non-Compete Restricted Period”), you shall not, without the consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, provide services to, accept employment with, be a
consultant or advisor to, form, lend financial support to, own any interest in (other than shares of a publicly traded company that represent less than 1% of the outstanding shares) or otherwise enter into any arrangement with, or engage in any
activity for or on behalf of, any person, entity or business in competition with the MSCI Business (the “Competing Business”); provided, however, that the foregoing will not prohibit you from accepting or beginning
employment with any company that, as part of its overall business model, engages in one or more of the Competing Businesses, provided that you (x) do not directly provide assistance to any of the Competing Businesses in the form of
day-to-day responsibility for any aspect of the operation, supervision, compliance or regulation of any of the Competing Businesses or (y) provide only administrative, non-operational assistance to any such Competing Business and it is an
immaterial part of such company’s overall business. For purposes of this Exhibit B and the Award Agreement, “MSCI Business” means any business engaged in, contemplated or actively planned by the Company as of the date of
your termination of employment that you were actively providing services to such line of business during your employment with MSCI. 

Section 3. Non-Solicit and No-Hire. During your employment or service with the Company and for a period of two years following the
termination of your 

  
 B-2 

 
employment or service with the Company for any reason (the “Non-Solicit Restricted Period”), you shall not, directly or indirectly, (a) solicit or encourage any employee of
the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company, (b) hire any employee of the Company prior to the date on which such person has not been employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for a period of at least one year or
(c) induce or attempt to induce any customer, client, supplier, vendor, licensee or other business relationship of the Company to cease doing or reduce their business with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the
Company and any customer, client, supplier, licensee or other business relationship of the Company. 
 Section 4.
Non-Disparagement. At all times during your employment or service with the Company and after termination of your employment or service with the Company for any reason, you will not knowingly make any statement, written or oral, that would
disparage the business or reputation of the Company or its officers, managers, directors or employees. It will not be a violation of this Section 4 for you to make truthful statements, under oath, as required by law, to a governmental entity or
law enforcement agency or as part of a litigation or administrative agency proceeding. 
 Section 5. Certain Remedies. You
acknowledges that the terms of this Exhibit B are reasonable and necessary in light of your unique position, responsibility and knowledge of the operations of the Company and the unfair advantage that your knowledge and expertise concerning
the business of the Company would afford a competitor of the Company and are not more restrictive than necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, or any final
non-appealable decision of an arbitrator in connection with a mandatory arbitration, declares that any term or provision of this Exhibit B or the Award Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree that the court or arbitrator
making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or geographic area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or
provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Exhibit B and the Award Agreement shall be enforceable as so
modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment or decision may be appealed. You acknowledge that the Company and its shareholders would be irreparably harmed by any breach of this Exhibit B and that there would be no
adequate remedy at law or in damages to compensate the Company and its shareholders for any such breach. You agree that MSCI shall be entitled to injunctive relief, without having to post bond or other security, requiring specific performance by you
of your obligations in this Exhibit B in addition to any other remedy to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity, and you consent to the entry thereof. You agree that the Non-Compete Restricted Period and the Non-Solicit Restricted
Period, as applicable, shall be extended by any and all periods during which you are in breach of this Exhibit B. 

  
 B-3 

 EXHIBIT C 

[COUNTRY-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS] 

  
 C-1

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