RiskMetrics Group (NYSE:RMG), a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance services to the global financial community, today announced it has acquired KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. Headquartered in Boston, KLD is a leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and indexes for institutional investors.

Together, RiskMetrics and KLD will offer institutional investors a comprehensive suite of ESG services so they can more easily incorporate ESG analytics into their investment processes. Specifically, the combined firms will deliver increased coverage, more robust data, expert insights, and user-friendly tools. These enhanced capabilities will enable more investors to uncover the ESG risks and opportunities of thousands of companies worldwide.

Led by Peter Kinder, President, and Tim Brennan, Chief Operating Officer, KLD provides ESG research, compliance screening and indices to over 500 investment professionals worldwide. Founded in 1988, KLD published the first research designed to evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with corporate social and environmental performance. Today, 30 of the top 50 institutional money managers use KLD services to integrate ESG factors into investment decisions.

“Our clients have indicated that ESG performance is a critical benchmark of a corporation’s risks and long-term value,” said Knut Kjaer, President of RiskMetrics Group. “KLD’s ESG capabilities, combined with our financial risk and corporate governance experience, will give investors worldwide a more thorough picture of sustainability and risk across geographic and industry boundaries.”

“RiskMetrics’ commitment to sustainability has made a strong impression on KLD,” said Peter D. Kinder, President of KLD Research & Analytics, Inc. “Both firms have long strived to make ESG analysis an integral part of mainstream investment research. By joining with RiskMetrics, we can serve more global investors than ever before.”

RiskMetrics currently provides sustainability data, compliance screening, climate risk management and advisory services to more than 400 global institutions.

About RiskMetrics Group

RiskMetrics Group is a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance products and services to participants in the global financial markets. By bringing transparency, expertise and access to the financial markets, RiskMetrics Group helps investors better understand and manage the risks associated with their financial holdings. Our solutions address a broad spectrum of risk across our clients' financial assets. Headquartered in New York with 20 global offices, RiskMetrics Group services some of the most prestigious institutions and corporations worldwide. For more information, please visit, www.riskmetrics.com.