Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) vs. Morgan Stanley (MS)
This page compares Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) with Morgan Stanley (MS) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) and Morgan Stanley (MS) both fall under the Financial Services industry group, but BRK.B is classified in Financial Services while MS is classified in Capital Markets.
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B | Morgan Stanley |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| GICS Industry | Financial Services | Capital Markets |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Multi-Sector Holdings | Investment Banking & Brokerage |
| Market Capitalization | 1,052.05 billion USD | 331.62 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 9, 1996 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 14.49 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 19.24 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
14.49
- Max
- 43.80
- Q3
- 25.29
- Median
- 14.39
- Q1
- 8.82
- Min
- 0.57
MS
Financial Services industry group
19.24
- Max
- 43.80
- Q3
- 25.29
- Median
- 14.39
- Q1
- 8.82
- Min
- 0.57
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 2.80 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 4.53 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
2.80
- Max
- 9.18
- Q3
- 4.75
- Median
- 2.81
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- -1.07
MS
Financial Services industry group
4.53
- Max
- 9.18
- Q3
- 4.75
- Median
- 2.81
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- -1.07
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 0.00 sits in the lower Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) quartile against book while Morgan Stanley (MS) at 3.18 is valued near its industry’s middle — BRK.B is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
0.00
- Max
- 7.05
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.00
MS
Financial Services industry group
3.18
- Max
- 7.05
- Q3
- 3.45
- Median
- 1.59
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.00
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 14.49 | 19.24 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.80 | 4.53 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.00 | 3.18 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 5.82% | -- |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 10.50% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 16.39% post Return on Equity (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on this measure.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
10.50%
- Max
- 42.17%
- Q3
- 21.38%
- Median
- 12.17%
- Q1
- 4.99%
- Min
- -18.74%
MS
Financial Services industry group
16.39%
- Max
- 42.17%
- Q3
- 21.38%
- Median
- 12.17%
- Q1
- 4.99%
- Min
- -18.74%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 19.31% 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.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
19.31%
- Max
- 66.55%
- Q3
- 30.38%
- Median
- 16.50%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -26.88%
MS
Financial Services industry group
24.75%
- Max
- 66.55%
- Q3
- 30.38%
- Median
- 16.50%
- Q1
- 4.42%
- Min
- -26.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) at 14.35% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 40.62% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
14.35%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 49.68%
- Median
- 27.03%
- Q1
- 12.12%
- Min
- -36.26%
MS
Financial Services industry group
40.62%
- Max
- 95.95%
- Q3
- 49.68%
- Median
- 27.03%
- Q1
- 12.12%
- Min
- -36.26%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 10.50% | 16.39% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.39% | 1.27% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.31% | 24.75% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.35% | 40.62% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.78% | 87.39% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | -3.23% | 14.48% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 20.59% | 9.52% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -24.78% | 28.43% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -- | 18.41% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Current Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) in Financial Services or Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services under our convention.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
2.88
- Max
- 8.56
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 1.79
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.05
MS
Financial Services industry group
1.96
- Max
- 8.56
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 1.79
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) isn’t a meaningful figure for either Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) in Financial Services or Morgan Stanley (MS) in Financial Services under our convention.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
0.18
- Max
- 6.26
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.34
- Min
- 0.00
MS
Financial Services industry group
5.02
- Max
- 6.26
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.19
- Q1
- 0.34
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.88 | 1.96 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.18 | 5.02 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -2.28 | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — often a deliberate choice to reinvest earnings rather than return cash. Meanwhile Morgan Stanley (MS) reports a yield of 1.90%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 18.54%
- Q3
- 7.66%
- Median
- 1.92%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
1.90%
- Max
- 18.54%
- Q3
- 7.66%
- Median
- 1.92%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Morgan Stanley (MS) reports a payout of 35.55%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BRK.B
Financial Services industry group
0.00%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.64%
- Median
- 25.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
35.55%
- Max
- 228.57%
- Q3
- 95.64%
- Median
- 25.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.90% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 35.55% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | BRK.B | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | -1.32% | 64.89% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 14.41% | 25.67% |
| Beta | 0.61 | 1.22 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.82M | 6.18M |