Who Owns Moody's Company?

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Who Owns Moody's Corporation?

Understanding Moody's ownership is key to grasping its influence in finance. Spun off from Dun & Bradstreet in 2000, it became an independent public company.

Founded by John Moody in 1909, the firm initially focused on financial statistics and bond ratings. Today, it's a global risk assessment leader with 2024 revenues of $7.09 billion and around 15,838 employees worldwide.

The ownership of Moody's Corporation is primarily distributed among institutional investors, with Vanguard Group and BlackRock Inc. holding significant stakes. These large asset managers, acting on behalf of their clients, collectively own a substantial portion of the company's shares. This broad institutional ownership reflects Moody's status as a major publicly traded entity, influencing its strategic decisions and corporate governance. For a deeper dive into its market position, consider Moody's Porter's Five Forces Analysis.

Moody's Corporation's journey began with John Moody, who launched John Moody & Company in 1900. His initial publication, 'Moody's Manual of Industrial and Miscellaneous Securities,' offered extensive data on companies and quickly gained national attention.

Founding Vision

John Moody's entrepreneurial spirit drove the creation of his initial company. His focus was on providing comprehensive financial data and statistics to investors.

Early Challenges and Re-emergence

A financial crisis in 1907 led John Moody to sell his business due to capital shortages. He soon re-established himself in 1909 with a new publication and company.

Formal Incorporation

Moody's Investors Service was officially incorporated in 1914, marking a significant step in its formal establishment.

Early Ownership Structure

The early ownership was primarily centered around John Moody's personal ventures. Specific details on early investors or equity splits beyond his direct involvement are not widely documented.

Acquisition by Dun & Bradstreet

A pivotal moment in Moody's ownership history occurred in 1962 when Dun & Bradstreet Corporation acquired the company. This marked the end of its initial independent ownership phase.

Subsidiary Operations

For many years, Moody's operated as a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet, maintaining a degree of operational independence within the larger corporate structure.

The early ownership of Moody's was intrinsically tied to the vision and efforts of its founder, John Moody. His commitment to providing financial analysis laid the groundwork for the company's future. Understanding the Target Market of Moody's helps contextualize the importance of its early data provision.

Key Milestones in Early Ownership

The initial phase of Moody's ownership was characterized by entrepreneurial drive and adaptation to market conditions. The acquisition by Dun & Bradstreet in 1962 represented a significant transition in its corporate structure.

• John Moody established his first company in 1900.
• 'Moody's Manual of Industrial and Miscellaneous Securities' launched in 1900.
• The company faced capital shortages after the 1907 financial crisis.
• Moody's Investors Service was incorporated in 1914.
• Dun & Bradstreet acquired Moody's in 1962.

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The ownership structure of Moody's Corporation saw a significant shift in 2000 when Dun & Bradstreet divested Moody's as an independent, publicly traded entity on the NYSE under the ticker MCO. This move was largely a response to investor sentiment, recognizing Moody's superior financial performance in the late 1990s compared to its parent company.

As of July 21, 2025, Moody's Corporation's stock was trading at $500.16 per share. The vast majority of Moody's Corporation shareholders, specifically 92.25% as of March 31, 2025, are institutional investors. These major Moody's investors collectively own 179,449,774 shares. Among the largest institutional shareholders are Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which holds a substantial 13.7% stake, followed by BlackRock, Inc., and Vanguard Group Inc. Other significant institutional investors include TCI Fund Management Ltd, State Street Corp, Fmr Llc, Geode Capital Management, Llc, and Bank of New York Mellon Corp. Individual insiders represent a small fraction of ownership, holding approximately 0.14% of the company's stock. Geographically, the majority of shareholders, 64.03%, are based in the United States, with the United Kingdom accounting for 17.26% and Canada for 4.74%.

Understanding Moody's Ownership

The ownership of Moody's Corporation is heavily concentrated among institutional investors, reflecting broad confidence in the company's market position. Understanding who owns Moody's provides insight into its governance and strategic direction.

• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a major stakeholder.
• BlackRock, Inc. and Vanguard Group Inc. are also significant institutional investors.
• The majority of shares are held by institutions, not individuals.
• Geographical distribution shows a strong US investor base.

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The Board of Directors at Moody's Corporation is instrumental in guiding the company's strategic direction and ensuring robust corporate governance. Rob Fauber currently leads Moody's as President and CEO, a role he assumed in January 2021. Raymond W. McDaniel Jr., the former CEO, holds the position of Chairman of the Board. The board is composed of both executive and independent directors, with recent additions like Sumit Dhawan, appointed to the Board and its Governance & Nominating and Compensation & Human Resources Committees effective July 16, 2025.

Moody's Corporation adheres to a one-share-one-vote principle for its common stock, meaning each share of common stock represents one vote. The company's proxy statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on April 15, 2025, detailed the agenda, which included the election of directors and advisory votes on executive compensation. Shareholders of record as of February 20, 2024, were eligible to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting. The company actively encourages shareholders to participate in voting through online or telephone channels. While no recent activist campaigns are prominently noted, shareholder proposals are a regular part of the annual meeting proceedings. For instance, a proposal concerning the right of shareholders to call special meetings with a 15% ownership threshold was on the agenda for the April 16, 2024, meeting. Moody's corporate governance framework, including the board's designation of financial experts for the Audit Committee and its focus on expertise in areas such as cybersecurity and risk management, is thoroughly outlined in their proxy statements, providing insight into the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Moody's.

Understanding Moody's Shareholder Influence

Shareholder voting power at Moody's is directly tied to common stock ownership. The company's governance structure emphasizes shareholder participation in key decisions.

• One-share-one-vote structure for common stock.
• Annual meetings include election of directors and advisory votes.
• Shareholders of record as of February 20, 2024, voted in 2024.
• Shareholder proposals, such as those on special meeting rights, are considered.

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Recent developments at Moody's Corporation show a dynamic ownership landscape, influenced by strong financial performance and strategic acquisitions. The company's market capitalization saw a significant increase, reflecting investor confidence and its expanding market presence.

Moody's Corporation has actively pursued strategic growth over the past few years, enhancing its service offerings through key acquisitions. These moves are designed to bolster its capabilities in data analytics, regulatory compliance, and specialized market insights, aligning with industry trends towards more sophisticated financial intelligence. The company's commitment to returning value to shareholders is evident through its ongoing share repurchase program and consistent dividend payouts, aiming for a payout ratio between 25% and 30%.

Strategic Acquisitions Driving Growth

Moody's acquired Numerated Growth Technologies in November 2024 and CAPE Analytics in January 2025. The full acquisition of ICR Chile in June 2025 further solidified its international presence.

Shareholder Value and Capital Allocation

The company continues its share buyback program, with substantial authorization remaining. Moody's also maintains its dividend policy, targeting a 25%-30% payout ratio.

Shifting Ownership Trends

Institutional investors, including hedge funds, now hold a significant majority of Moody's stock. This trend highlights the increasing influence of large financial entities in the company's ownership structure.

Leadership and Operational Updates

Recent leadership changes, such as the appointment of Jason Phillips as Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, are part of the company's ongoing operational adjustments. Understanding these shifts is key to grasping the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Moody's.

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