Morgan StanleyMS
NYSE•Financial Services•Capital Markets
Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The company offers capital raising and financial advisory services, including services related to the underwriting of debt, equity securities, and other products, as well as advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and project finance. It also provides equity and fixed income products comprising sales, financing, prime brokerage, and market-making services; Asia wealth management; business-related investments services; originating corporate and commercial real estate loans, secured lending facilities, and extending securities-based and other financing; and research activities. In addition, the company offers financial advisor-led brokerage, investment advisory, custody, cash management, and administrative services; self-directed brokerage services; financial and wealth planning services; stock plan administration; securities-based lending, residential real estate loans, and other lending products; banking; and retirement plan services. Further, it provides equity, fixed income, alternatives and solutions, and liquidity and overlay services to benefit/defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, government entities, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, third-party fund sponsors, corporations, and individuals. Morgan Stanley was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
as of March 2026
Are revenues and earnings expanding?
$73.49B in TTM revenue grew 14.2% YoY, reaching $20.58B last quarter. TTM EBITDA of $23.42B on operating income of $7.01B shows growth is flowing through. Net income of $18.11B TTM confirms the company is converting revenue into profit. Revenue is growing at a healthy pace — a signal to hold.
Is revenue turning into profit effectively?
Op. margin of 34.1% is up 2.8% YoY — cost efficiency is improving. Net margin at 27.1%. ROE of 15.8% shows the company generates solid returns on shareholder equity.
Is the stock cheap or expensive?
At 19.2x P/E, the stock trades in line with market averages — fairly valued. P/S of 4.7x and P/B of 3.0x provide additional context. Assess whether the current multiple is justified by the company's growth and profitability trajectory.
Is the company financially stable?
With $1.58T in assets and $363.01B in long-term debt, the D/E of 3.2 indicates elevated leverage — the company has significant financial risk and may struggle in a downturn.
Is the business self-funding?
FCF of $-7.10B on $-7.10B in operating cash flow. The FCF / Net Income ratio of -0.4x shows cash consumption — the business is not yet self-funding. Cash reserves of $133.53B provide financial flexibility.
Competitive analysis based on 68 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are expanding at ~30.4%, suggesting durable pricing power and cost discipline.
ROE is positive at ~13.3% on average, adequate but below the threshold typically associated with wide moats.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 68 quarters
Margins are stable or improving at ~31.7% — no sign of cost or pricing stress.
Free cash flow has been negative in 5 of the last 8 quarters — earnings are not translating to cash.
D/E ratio is 3.2 — dangerously high. The company is heavily leveraged and vulnerable to rising rates or cash flow dips.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
5 of the last 8 quarters had negative FCF — inconsistent cash generation raises sustainability concerns.
Shares decreased 2.1% — net buybacks are reducing shares outstanding and boosting per-share value.
Only 3 of the last 8 quarters had positive FCF — the business may require external capital to sustain operations.
TTM revenue has grown consistently (7 of 7 quarters up), with ~30.5% growth over the period. Strong demand durability.