30 Jul 2026
11 min read

Our Q3 MSCI rebalancing predictions

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Ahead of each quarter’s MSCI World rebalancing, we assess the accuracy of our predictions for the prior quarter’s rebalancing and release our predictions for upcoming changes to the index. With the third-quarter 2026 rebalancing announcement set for August 12, we evaluate our performance for the second quarter of 2026 and look ahead at the approaching announcement. 

For the second quarter, our prediction score showed strong directional accuracy amid higher overall turnover. During the second quarter, MSCI announced 18 adds and 46 deletes in the MSCI World Index, for a total of 64 constituent changes. We correctly predicted 57 of the 64 changes and notably had only 2 incorrect predictions this quarter. Consequently, our Rebalance Accuracy Score came in at 86, modestly above our longer-term average. This quarter’s activity was notably higher than that of the first quarter, when there were 45 changes. 

We always like to emphasize that every rebalance is different. This is why we tend to put more weight on our cumulative average score as an indication of the efficiency of our approach, rather than focusing on the score from a single quarter. Figure 1 highlights the durability of our approach over time, reflecting a process designed to remain robust and consistent across varied market and index environments. 

Figure 1: MSCI rebalance prediction history

Q3 MSCI rebalancing Figure 1

Source: L&G – Asset Management, America. Data as of June 30, 2026.

Our latest predictions

Figure 2 highlights our predictions for the third quarter of 2026 MSCI rebalance. The key dates for this cycle are the following:

  • 10 business day window: July 20 - July 31.
  • Announcement: August 12.
  • Implementation point: Close of Monday, August 31, but may be different for some markets (e.g., market holiday, exchange closures).

Figure 2: Our MSCI predictions for Q3 2026

Benchmark Country Name Prediction
World ex USA Australia CAR GROUP LTD DELETE
World ex USA Australia COCHLEAR LTD DELETE
World ex USA Australia SONIC HEALTHCARE LTD DELETE
World ex USA Australia STOCKLAND DELETE
World ex USA Denmark ROCKWOOL A/S-B SHS DELETE
World ex USA France BOLLORE SE DELETE
World ex USA Germany SCOUT24 SE DELETE
World ex USA Japan KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORP ADD
World ex USA Singapore SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES LTD DELETE
World ex USA Sweden FASTIGHETS AB BALDER-B SHRS DELETE
World ex USA Sweden OCTAVE INTELLIGENCE PLC-SDR DELETE
World ex USA United Kingdom DIPLOMA PLC ADD
USA United States ATI INC ADD
USA United States CARPENTER TECHNOLOGY ADD
USA United States NVENT ELECTRIC PLC ADD
USA United States ROIVANT SCIENCES LTD ADD
USA United States SANDISK CORP ADD
USA United States ALLEGION PLC DELETE
USA United States APTIV PLC DELETE
USA United States AVERY DENNISON CORP DELETE
USA United States CLOROX COMPANY DELETE
USA United States COSTAR GROUP INC DELETE
USA United States DOMINO'S PIZZA INC DELETE
USA United States ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY-CL A DELETE
USA United States GAMING AND LEISURE PROPERTIES DELETE
USA United States GRACO INC DELETE
USA United States INSULET CORP DELETE
USA United States PENTAIR PLC DELETE
USA United States TRIMBLE INC DELETE

Source: L&G – Asset Management, America. Data as of July 28, 2026. For illustrative purposes only.

Prediction process 

We have designed and implemented a low active risk approach to capture potential outperformance created by index micro inefficiencies. In our investment approach, we target a variety of opportunities, one being rebalance predictions, where we model widely followed approaches to predict index additions and deletions. This predictive capability provides an opportunity for us to optimize portfolio adjustments before official index announcements, potentially enhancing returns. Here’s how it works for an MSCI rebalance: 

  • On a quarterly basis, MSCI will re-establish its market cap weighted index series using a publicly available methodology, which means it can be independently modeled with reasonable certainty. 
  • We identify which companies we believe will be reclassified between the Standard (Large + Mid Cap) indices and Small Cap indices. 
  • MSCI selects one of ten days at the end of the month prior to the actual rebalance to crystalize sizing classifications. 
  • A public notification of the changes happens approximately two weeks before the rebalance, with the rebalance happening at the end of the month (February, May, August, November cycle). 

After the rebalance period ends, we evaluate our predictions based on the following method: 

  • Correct prediction (i.e., True positive; 1 point)—We assign ourselves one point for every accurate add or delete prediction. 
  • Incorrect prediction (i.e., False positive; -1 point)—One point is deducted for every prediction that is not ultimately added or deleted by MSCI. 
  • No prediction (i.e., False negative; 0 points)—No points are assigned or deducted for an add or delete that was not originally predicted. 
  • We add up the total number of points and divide it by the total number of adds and deletes implemented by MSCI to determine the Rebalance Accuracy Score. While we do not expect to achieve perfect accuracy, our aim is to maximize correct predictions and minimize mistakes. Accurately predicting this information in advance is knowing what trillions of dollars are likely to do before they do it.

Disclosures


Unless otherwise stated, references herein to "L&G" and “L&G – Asset Management” refer to the global asset management business of Legal & General Group plc. that includes Legal & General Investment Management Ltd. (a U.K. FCA authorized adviser), Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (a U.S. SEC registered investment adviser) Legal & General Investment Management Asia Limited (a Hong Kong SFC registered adviser), Legal & General Investment Management Japan KK (licensed by the FAS in Japan), and LGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd. (licensed by the MAS in Singapore). The LGIM Stewardship Team acts on behalf of all such locally authorized entities.

This material is intended to provide only general educational information and market commentary. Views and opinions expressed herein are as of the date set forth above and may change based on market and other conditions. The material may not be reproduced or distributed. The material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities or other financial instrument or to provide any investment advice or service. L&G – Asset Management, America does not guarantee the timeliness, sequence, accuracy or completeness of information included. Past performance should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of future performance and no representation, express or implied, is made regarding future performance.

Certain of the information contained herein represents or is based on forward-looking statements or information, including descriptions of anticipated market changes and expectations of future activity. Forward-looking statements and information are inherently uncertain and actual events or results may differ from those projected. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements and information. There is no guarantee that L&G – Asset Management, America’s investment or risk management processes will be successful.

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Legal & General Investment Management America, Inc. (d/b/a L&G – Asset Management, America) is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). L&G – Asset Management, America provides investment advisory services to U.S. clients. L&G’s asset management business more broadly—and the non-L&G – Asset Management, America affiliates that comprise it —are not registered as investment advisers with the SEC and do not independently provide investment advice to U.S. clients. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. L&G – Asset Management refers to the global asset management business of L&G Group PLC.