ASML vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ASML and MS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ASML trades as New York Registered Shares, providing U.S. investors with access to a foreign company, while MS is a standard domestic stock.

Symbol	ASML	MS
Company Name	ASML Holding N.V.	Morgan Stanley
Country	Netherlands	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	296.65 billion USD	235.70 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	March 15, 1995	February 23, 1993
Security Type	NY Reg Shrs	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ASML and MS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ASML vs. MS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ASML	MS
5-Day Price Return	1.17%	2.48%
13-Week Price Return	-1.19%	16.94%
26-Week Price Return	-9.94%	4.95%
52-Week Price Return	-19.16%	46.83%
Month-to-Date Return	5.40%	3.64%
Year-to-Date Return	-4.79%	17.44%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.41M	4.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.66M	5.55M
3-Month Volatility	34.94%	17.61%
Beta	1.69	1.34

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ASML

47.13%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, ASML’s Return on Equity of 47.13% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ASML

29.31%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

A Net Profit Margin of 29.31% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ASML

34.90%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

An Operating Profit Margin of 34.90% places ASML in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ASML	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	47.13%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	19.27%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	29.31%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	34.90%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	52.58%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ASML

1.41

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

ASML’s Current Ratio of 1.41 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ASML

0.22

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

ASML’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.22 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ASML

164.15

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

ASML’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 164.15 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ASML	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.41	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.79	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.22	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	164.15	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

ASML vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ASML vs. MS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ASML

1.01%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ASML’s Dividend Yield of 1.01% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MS

2.78%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.78% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ASML

26.57%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ASML’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.57% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ASML	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.01%	2.78%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	26.57%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ASML

26.41

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

ASML’s P/E Ratio of 26.41 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

MS

15.56

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

MS’s P/E Ratio of 15.56 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ASML

7.74

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

ASML’s P/S Ratio of 7.74 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MS

2.03

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.03 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ASML

12.39

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

ASML’s P/B Ratio of 12.39 is in the upper tier for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ASML vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ASML	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	26.41	15.56
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	7.74	2.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	12.39	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	26.67	10.44