Spun-out of JP Morgan in September of 1998, RiskMetrics Group says its has been growing at a compound annual rate of 65% over the last three years and is profitable.

The transaction provides liquidity to selling shareholders while enabling the firm to develop its range of middle-office services - such as risk management, data management and risk reporting.

Ethan Berman, RiskMetrics Group CEO, says: "The last several years have taught investors that risk is the most important component in every allocation decision...As a company, we've devoted ourselves to making those decisions better informed."