META vs. MS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at META and MS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Morgan Stanley |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Financials |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Capital Markets |
| Market Capitalization | 1,892.39 billion USD | 235.70 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | February 23, 1993 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.24% | 2.48% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.34% | 16.94% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.04% | 4.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 41.62% | 46.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.60% | 3.64% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 28.66% | 17.44% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.19M | 4.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.16M | 5.55M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.96% | 17.61% |
| Beta | 1.22 | 1.34 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 29.69%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -26.19%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.41%
- Q3
- 29.38%
- Median
- 17.14%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -30.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.95%
- Median
- 18.60%
- Q1
- 5.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.33% | 13.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 25.83% | 1.15% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.99% | 13.06% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.02% | 17.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.95% | 54.42% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.45
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.90
- Q3
- 0.47
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 67.60
- Q3
- 29.41
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -37.02
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.97 | 0.29 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 0.29 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 7.68 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | 1.25 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.27%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.87%
- Q3
- 1.08%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.27% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.35%
- Q3
- 38.67%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.27% | 2.78% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.26% | 43.20% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
26.40
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.79
- Q3
- 54.33
- Median
- 25.46
- Q1
- 18.76
- Min
- 6.96
META’s P/E Ratio of 26.40 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
META
10.56
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.01
- Q3
- 12.39
- Median
- 6.49
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.22
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.56 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.66
- Q3
- 7.17
- Median
- 4.17
- Q1
- 2.80
- Min
- 0.12
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | META | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.40 | 15.56 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.56 | 2.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.51 | 2.08 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.65 | 10.44 |