BRK.B vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 25, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
Company Name	Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Financial Services	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	1,053.85 billion USD	230.06 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	May 9, 1996	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BRK.B 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
5-Day Price Return	1.97%	-2.96%
13-Week Price Return	-4.48%	10.15%
26-Week Price Return	1.57%	5.32%
52-Week Price Return	8.90%	41.64%
Month-to-Date Return	1.80%	1.17%
Year-to-Date Return	7.62%	14.64%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.00M	4.60M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.00M	5.68M
3-Month Volatility	12.78%	18.37%
Beta	0.48	1.34

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BRK.B

9.68%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 40.58%
Q3: 20.06%
Median: 10.67%
Q1: 4.19%
Min: -10.31%

BRK.B’s Return on Equity of 9.68% is on par with the norm for the Financial Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BRK.B

17.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 52.86%
Q3: 25.58%
Median: 12.23%
Q1: 6.64%
Min: -9.92%

BRK.B’s Net Profit Margin of 17.00% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Financial Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BRK.B

13.29%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 77.28%
Q3: 37.68%
Median: 18.17%
Q1: 9.27%
Min: -8.19%

BRK.B’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.29% is around the midpoint for the Financial Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.68%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.44%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	17.00%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	13.29%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	16.97%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BRK.B

1.95

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.58
Q3: 2.59
Median: 1.33
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.01

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

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BRK.B

0.19

Financial Services Industry

Max: 4.96
Q3: 2.10
Median: 0.57
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

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

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BRK.B

0.57

Financial Services Industry

Max: 136.23
Q3: 56.08
Median: 6.55
Q1: 2.01
Min: -33.27

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

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.95	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.68	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.19	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	0.57	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

BRK.B 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

BRK.B 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)

BRK.B

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 8.18%
Q3: 3.60%
Median: 1.56%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BRK.B currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BRK.B

0.00%

Financial Services Industry

Max: 155.56%
Q3: 63.71%
Median: 18.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BRK.B has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.78%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BRK.B

16.79

Financial Services Industry

Max: 63.23
Q3: 32.10
Median: 14.41
Q1: 10.81
Min: 0.37

BRK.B’s P/E Ratio of 16.79 is within the middle range for the Financial Services 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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BRK.B

2.85

Financial Services Industry

Max: 11.16
Q3: 5.45
Median: 2.61
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.04

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Financial Services industry.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BRK.B

1.57

Financial Services Industry

Max: 7.09
Q3: 3.79
Median: 1.46
Q1: 0.83
Min: 0.04

BRK.B’s P/B Ratio of 1.57 is within the conventional range for the Financial Services 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.

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.

BRK.B vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Financial Services and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BRK.B	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.79	15.56
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.85	2.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.57	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	89.18	10.44