MARA vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MARA	MS
Company Name	MARA Holdings, Inc.	Morgan Stanley
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Financials
GICS Industry	Software	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	5.71 billion USD	235.70 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqCM	NYSE
Listing Date	May 4, 2012	February 23, 1993
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MARA 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MARA	MS
5-Day Price Return	1.52%	2.48%
13-Week Price Return	-1.60%	16.94%
26-Week Price Return	-2.41%	4.95%
52-Week Price Return	-8.66%	46.83%
Month-to-Date Return	-4.23%	3.64%
Year-to-Date Return	-8.17%	17.44%
10-Day Avg. Volume	48.96M	4.69M
3-Month Avg. Volume	45.86M	5.55M
3-Month Volatility	67.66%	17.61%
Beta	6.42	1.34

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MARA

17.52%

Software Industry

Max: 59.01%
Q3: 21.98%
Median: 7.15%
Q1: -11.12%
Min: -51.24%

MARA’s Return on Equity of 17.52% is on par with the norm for the Software 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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MARA

85.02%

Software Industry

Max: 48.14%
Q3: 18.23%
Median: 5.60%
Q1: -9.22%
Min: -49.36%

MARA’s Net Profit Margin of 85.02% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MARA

40.16%

Software Industry

Max: 57.34%
Q3: 20.60%
Median: 7.84%
Q1: -8.72%
Min: -51.37%

An Operating Profit Margin of 40.16% places MARA in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MARA	MS
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.52%	13.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	11.06%	1.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	85.02%	13.06%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	40.16%	17.07%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	-26.24%	54.42%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MARA

0.54

Software Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.31
Median: 1.45
Q1: 1.03
Min: 0.24

MARA’s Current Ratio of 0.54 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MARA

0.54

Software Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 0.90
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

MARA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MARA

10.78

Software Industry

Max: 67.02
Q3: 19.86
Median: 0.70
Q1: -12.50
Min: -53.00

MARA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.78 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Software industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MARA	MS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	0.29
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.44	0.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.54	7.68
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	10.78	1.25

Growth

Revenue Growth

MARA 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

MARA 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)

MARA

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 0.08%
Q3: 0.03%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MARA 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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MARA

0.00%

Software Industry

Max: 1.32%
Q3: 0.53%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

MARA 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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MARA	MS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.78%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	43.20%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MARA

8.39

Software Industry

Max: 149.35
Q3: 100.21
Median: 47.97
Q1: 26.77
Min: 11.68

MARA’s P/E Ratio of 8.39 is below the typical range for the Software industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MARA

7.13

Software Industry

Max: 25.24
Q3: 13.52
Median: 8.15
Q1: 4.87
Min: 0.98

MARA’s P/S Ratio of 7.13 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MARA

1.15

Software Industry

Max: 30.95
Q3: 14.91
Median: 7.75
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.38

MARA’s P/B Ratio of 1.15 is in the lower quartile for the Software 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.

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.

MARA vs. MS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Software and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MARA	MS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	8.39	15.56
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	7.13	2.03
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.15	2.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	1,423.48	10.44