FDS vs. MS: FactSet Research Systems vs. Morgan Stanley Stock Comparison
How do FactSet Research Systems (FDS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
FactSet Research Systems (FDS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) both belong to the Capital Markets industry, though FDS is classified under Financial Exchanges & Data while MS falls under Investment Banking & Brokerage.
| Profile Item | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | FactSet Research Systems Inc. | Morgan Stanley Common Stock |
| 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 | Financial Exchanges & Data | Investment Banking & Brokerage |
| Market Capitalization | 11.56 billion USD | 283.60 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 28, 1996 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 27.49% | 19.44% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -8.71% | 40.69% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -4.88% | 17.38% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 48.03% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.69 | 1.21 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -61.13% | -32.38% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 803.71K | 5.37M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.48 | 0.51 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.71 | 0.73 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 25.48% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Morgan Stanley (MS) at 18.04% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for FDS.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
25.48%
- Max
- 44.78%
- FDS
- 25.48%
- Q3
- 21.85%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 4.48%
- Min
- -18.71%
MS
Financial Services industry group
18.04%
- Max
- 44.78%
- Q3
- 21.85%
- MS
- 18.04%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 4.48%
- Min
- -18.71%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 21.54% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 25.63% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
21.54%
- Max
- 62.84%
- Q3
- 28.05%
- FDS
- 21.54%
- Median
- 15.36%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -28.52%
MS
Financial Services industry group
25.63%
- Max
- 62.84%
- Q3
- 28.05%
- MS
- 25.63%
- Median
- 15.36%
- Q1
- 4.82%
- Min
- -28.52%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 22.22% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 39.00% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
22.22%
- Max
- 107.33%
- Q3
- 55.90%
- Median
- 30.09%
- FDS
- 22.22%
- Q1
- 14.60%
- Min
- -44.34%
MS
Financial Services industry group
39.00%
- Max
- 107.33%
- Q3
- 55.90%
- MS
- 39.00%
- Median
- 30.09%
- Q1
- 14.60%
- Min
- -44.34%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 25.48% | 18.04% |
| ROA (TTM) | 10.65% | 1.35% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 21.54% | 25.63% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 22.22% | 39.00% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 6.65% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 14.48% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at -6.30% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 28.43% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.65% | 14.48% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.89% | 9.52% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -6.30% | 28.43% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 6.59% | 18.41% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) 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 / Equity (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: FactSet Research Systems (FDS) 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 Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 1.33% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 2.40% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
1.33%
- Max
- 9.77%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- FDS
- 1.33%
- Median
- 1.09%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
2.40%
- Max
- 9.77%
- Q3
- 3.92%
- MS
- 2.40%
- Median
- 1.09%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 31.02% and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 32.91% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
31.02%
- Max
- 241.07%
- Q3
- 97.36%
- FDS
- 31.02%
- Median
- 25.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MS
Financial Services industry group
32.91%
- Max
- 241.07%
- Q3
- 97.36%
- MS
- 32.91%
- Median
- 25.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.33% | 2.40% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 31.02% | 32.91% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 22.50 and Morgan Stanley (MS) at 14.39 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
22.50
- Max
- 45.85
- Q3
- 24.64
- FDS
- 22.50
- Median
- 15.37
- Q1
- 9.68
- Min
- 0.16
MS
Financial Services industry group
14.39
- Max
- 45.85
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 15.37
- MS
- 14.39
- Q1
- 9.68
- Min
- 0.16
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Morgan Stanley (MS) at 3.55 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 4.67 sits in the pricier quartile — FDS costs more per dollar of sales.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
4.67
- Max
- 9.23
- FDS
- 4.67
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- -0.55
MS
Financial Services industry group
3.55
- Max
- 9.23
- Q3
- 4.57
- MS
- 3.55
- Median
- 2.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- -0.55
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Morgan Stanley (MS) at 2.65 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while FactSet Research Systems (FDS) at 5.77 carries an above-peer premium to book — FDS is pricier on assets.
FDS
Financial Services industry group
5.77
- Max
- 7.79
- FDS
- 5.77
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- -0.39
MS
Financial Services industry group
2.65
- Max
- 7.79
- Q3
- 3.63
- MS
- 2.65
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- -0.39
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | FDS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 22.50 | 14.39 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.67 | 3.55 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.77 | 2.65 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |