BEN vs. MORN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BEN	MORN
Company Name	Franklin Resources, Inc.	Morningstar, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	13.51 billion USD	11.01 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	September 23, 1983	May 3, 2005
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BEN and MORN 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BEN	MORN
5-Day Price Return	4.71%	0.38%
13-Week Price Return	20.01%	-15.62%
26-Week Price Return	26.42%	-20.19%
52-Week Price Return	21.01%	-14.54%
Month-to-Date Return	8.46%	-5.57%
Year-to-Date Return	28.29%	-22.48%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.91M	0.39M
3-Month Avg. Volume	4.80M	0.26M
3-Month Volatility	23.28%	18.77%
Beta	1.57	1.04

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BEN

2.61%

Capital Markets Industry

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

BEN’s Return on Equity of 2.61% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

MORN

25.22%

Capital Markets Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MORN’s Return on Equity of 25.22% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BEN

3.73%

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, BEN’s Net Profit Margin of 3.73% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

MORN

17.21%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s Net Profit Margin of 17.21% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BEN

4.26%

Capital Markets Industry

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

BEN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.26% 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.

MORN

24.21%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.21% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BEN	MORN
Return on Equity (TTM)	2.61%	25.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.00%	11.28%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	3.73%	17.21%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	4.26%	24.21%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	36.69%	60.94%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BEN

1.21

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.

MORN

1.13

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.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BEN

1.00

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.

MORN

0.52

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.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BEN

32.05

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.

MORN

15.49

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.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BEN	MORN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	1.13
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	1.08
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.00	0.52
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.05	15.49

Growth

Revenue Growth

BEN vs. MORN: 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

BEN vs. MORN: 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)

BEN

5.08%

Capital Markets Industry

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

With a Dividend Yield of 5.08%, BEN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Capital Markets industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MORN

0.67%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s Dividend Yield of 0.67% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BEN

125.85%

Capital Markets Industry

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

BEN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 125.85% is in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

MORN

18.19%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.19% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BEN	MORN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	5.08%	0.67%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	125.85%	18.19%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BEN

41.47

Capital Markets Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 41.47 places BEN in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MORN

26.97

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s P/E Ratio of 26.97 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.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BEN

1.55

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, BEN’s P/S Ratio of 1.55 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.

MORN

4.64

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s P/S Ratio of 4.64 aligns with the market consensus for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BEN

1.03

Capital Markets Industry

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

BEN’s P/B Ratio of 1.03 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

MORN

8.22

Capital Markets Industry

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

MORN’s P/B Ratio of 8.22 is in the upper tier for the Capital Markets 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.

BEN vs. MORN: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BEN	MORN
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	41.47	26.97
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.55	4.64
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.03	8.22
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	7.62	27.96