Index provider MSCI's shares have upside-Barron's

Market index provider MSCI Inc could see shares rise as high as the low $40-range within a year because of its strength in global indices andhigh customer retention rates, Barron's wrote in its Aug. 17 edition.

MSCI, a spin-off of Morgan Stanley provides the indices to which about 90 percent of foreign equities held by U.S. money managers are benchmarked, the weekly business papersaid, adding that the growing popularity of foreign investment and inflows have strengthened MSCI's profits and its shares.

While some customers complain about the price of MSCI's services, client retention rates exceed 90 percent and MSCI has little difficulty selling those clients more services, Barron's said.

Despite a recent surge, MSCI shares could rise even more onits positive long-term prospects, Barron's said, citing several analysts.

MSCI shares closed trading on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange at $28.50, down 0.66 percent, or 19 cents.