Demystifying Morgan Stanley: Insights From 5 Analyst Reviews
Morgan Stanley MS | 165.81 | -0.22% |
In the last three months, 5 analysts have published ratings on Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 30D | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2M Ago | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Morgan Stanley, presenting an average target of $194.4, a high estimate of $219.00, and a low estimate of $162.00. Marking an increase of 8.12%, the current average surpasses the previous average price target of $179.80.

Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis
The perception of Morgan Stanley by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kian Abouhossein | JP Morgan | Raises | Neutral | $179.00 | $173.00 |
| Christopher McGratty | Keefe, Bruyette & Woods | Raises | Outperform | $210.00 | $202.00 |
| Kian Abouhossein | JP Morgan | Raises | Neutral | $162.00 | $157.00 |
| Jason Goldberg | Barclays | Raises | Overweight | $219.00 | $183.00 |
| Christopher McGratty | Keefe, Bruyette & Woods | Raises | Outperform | $202.00 | $184.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Morgan Stanley. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.
- Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Morgan Stanley compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Morgan Stanley's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.
Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Morgan Stanley's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Morgan Stanley analyst ratings.
Unveiling the Story Behind Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a massive global financial services firm, with offices in 42 countries and more than 82,000 employees as of year-end 2025. The firm cut its teeth in investment banking and institutional trading, where it maintains a strong presence today, but generates the lion share of its income from wealth and asset management franchises, where it boasted $9.3 trillion in client assets at the end of its most recent fiscal year. After reincorporation as a bank holding company in the wake of the global financial crisis, Morgan Stanley also boasts a top 10 banking franchise by deposits, with more than $400 billion in customer deposits, predominately attributable to cash sweeps from its wealth management and brokerage businesses.
Morgan Stanley: A Financial Overview
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Revenue Growth: Morgan Stanley's revenue growth over a period of 3M has been noteworthy. As of 31 December, 2025, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 11.43%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Morgan Stanley's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 25.36% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Morgan Stanley's ROE falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently using equity capital. With an ROE of 4.21%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Morgan Stanley's ROA falls below industry averages, indicating challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.31%, the company may face hurdles in generating optimal returns from its assets.
Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 3.64, Morgan Stanley faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain.
Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
