BLK vs. MS: BlackRock vs. Morgan Stanley Stock Comparison
This page compares BlackRock (BLK) with Morgan Stanley (MS) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 6.62% | 66.17% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 25.94% | 25.86% |
| Beta | 1.42 | 1.22 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 734.83K | 6.16M |
Company Profile
BlackRock (BLK) and Morgan Stanley (MS) both belong to the Capital Markets industry, though BLK is classified under Asset Management & Custody Banks while MS falls under Investment Banking & Brokerage.
| Profile Item | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | BlackRock, Inc. | Morgan Stanley |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| GICS Industry | Capital Markets | Capital Markets |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Asset Management & Custody Banks | Investment Banking & Brokerage |
| Market Capitalization | 168.06 billion USD | 337.60 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 1, 1999 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Morgan Stanley (MS) at 19.39 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while BlackRock (BLK) at 25.98 sits in the richer quartile — BLK needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
25.98
- Max
- 47.33
- BLK
- 25.98
- Q3
- 25.83
- Median
- 14.56
- Q1
- 9.03
- Min
- 0.60
MS
Financial Services industry group
19.39
- Max
- 47.33
- Q3
- 25.83
- MS
- 19.39
- Median
- 14.56
- Q1
- 9.03
- Min
- 0.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Morgan Stanley (MS) at 4.61 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while BlackRock (BLK) at 6.56 sits in the pricier quartile — BLK costs more per dollar of sales.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
6.56
- Max
- 9.45
- BLK
- 6.56
- Q3
- 4.84
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- -1.12
MS
Financial Services industry group
4.61
- Max
- 9.45
- Q3
- 4.84
- MS
- 4.61
- Median
- 2.86
- Q1
- 1.48
- Min
- -1.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
On P/B ratio, both BlackRock (BLK) at 2.83 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 3.23 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
2.83
- Max
- 7.24
- Q3
- 3.50
- BLK
- 2.83
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.00
MS
Financial Services industry group
3.23
- Max
- 7.24
- Q3
- 3.50
- MS
- 3.23
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.00
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 25.98 | 19.39 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.56 | 4.61 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.83 | 3.23 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | -- | -- |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both BlackRock (BLK) at 11.90% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 16.39% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
11.90%
- Max
- 42.17%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 12.18%
- BLK
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.01%
- Min
- -18.74%
MS
Financial Services industry group
16.39%
- Max
- 42.17%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- MS
- 16.39%
- Median
- 12.18%
- Q1
- 5.01%
- Min
- -18.74%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both BlackRock (BLK) at 24.40% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 24.75% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
24.40%
- Max
- 66.55%
- Q3
- 30.41%
- BLK
- 24.40%
- Median
- 16.58%
- Q1
- 4.49%
- Min
- -26.88%
MS
Financial Services industry group
24.75%
- Max
- 66.55%
- Q3
- 30.41%
- MS
- 24.75%
- Median
- 16.58%
- Q1
- 4.49%
- Min
- -26.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both BlackRock (BLK) at 35.64% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 40.62% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
35.64%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 50.01%
- BLK
- 35.64%
- Median
- 27.45%
- Q1
- 12.28%
- Min
- -36.26%
MS
Financial Services industry group
40.62%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 50.01%
- MS
- 40.62%
- Median
- 27.45%
- Q1
- 12.28%
- Min
- -36.26%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.90% | 16.39% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.62% | 1.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.40% | 24.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.64% | 40.62% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 18.67% | 14.48% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 10.65% | 9.52% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -15.95% | 28.43% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 1.30% | 18.41% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: BlackRock (BLK) in Financial Services and Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: BlackRock (BLK) in Financial Services and Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both BlackRock (BLK) at 2.22% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 1.87% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
2.22%
- Max
- 18.40%
- Q3
- 7.73%
- BLK
- 2.22%
- Median
- 1.93%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
1.87%
- Max
- 18.40%
- Q3
- 7.73%
- Median
- 1.93%
- MS
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both BlackRock (BLK) at 53.76% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 35.55% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
BLK
Financial Services industry group
53.76%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.72%
- BLK
- 53.76%
- Median
- 25.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
35.55%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.72%
- MS
- 35.55%
- Median
- 25.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | BLK | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.22% | 1.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 53.76% | 35.55% |