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

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

Company Profile

SymbolMSMSCI
Company NameMorgan StanleyMSCI Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorFinancialsFinancials
GICS IndustryCapital MarketsCapital Markets
Market Capitalization230.06 billion USD44.43 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateFebruary 23, 1993November 15, 2007
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MS and MSCI 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolMSMSCI
5-Day Price Return-2.96%1.51%
13-Week Price Return10.15%0.28%
26-Week Price Return5.32%0.34%
52-Week Price Return41.64%2.45%
Month-to-Date Return1.17%2.30%
Year-to-Date Return14.64%-4.29%
10-Day Avg. Volume4.60M0.55M
3-Month Avg. Volume5.68M0.62M
3-Month Volatility18.37%26.84%
Beta1.341.35

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

MSCI

108.67%

Capital Markets Industry

Max
38.97%
Q3
21.61%
Median
13.77%
Q1
8.31%
Min
-4.25%

MSCI’s Return on Equity of 108.67% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Capital Markets industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

MSCI

39.46%

Capital Markets Industry

Max
66.67%
Q3
35.11%
Median
23.49%
Q1
13.63%
Min
-15.18%

A Net Profit Margin of 39.46% places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

MSCI

53.86%

Capital Markets Industry

Max
86.40%
Q3
46.46%
Median
32.80%
Q1
18.32%
Min
-21.87%

An Operating Profit Margin of 53.86% places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMSMSCI
Return on Equity (TTM)13.95%108.67%
Return on Assets (TTM)1.15%21.86%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.06%39.46%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)17.07%53.86%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)54.42%82.18%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MSCI

0.86

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.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MSCI

6.80

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.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

MSCI

9.26

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.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMSMSCI
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.290.86
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.290.77
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)7.686.80
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)1.259.26

Growth

Revenue Growth

MS vs. MSCI: 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

MS vs. MSCI: 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)

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.

MSCI

1.21%

Capital Markets Industry

Max
10.26%
Q3
4.86%
Median
2.78%
Q1
1.22%
Min
0.00%

MSCI’s Dividend Yield of 1.21% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

MSCI

45.34%

Capital Markets Industry

Max
200.72%
Q3
101.92%
Median
57.97%
Q1
32.36%
Min
0.00%

MSCI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.34% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolMSMSCI
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.78%1.21%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)43.20%45.34%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

MSCI

37.60

Capital Markets Industry

Max
58.89
Q3
31.00
Median
18.54
Q1
12.09
Min
5.24

A P/E Ratio of 37.60 places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

MSCI

14.84

Capital Markets Industry

Max
14.49
Q3
7.41
Median
4.68
Q1
2.25
Min
0.04

With a P/S Ratio of 14.84, MSCI trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Capital Markets industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

MSCI

42.21

Capital Markets Industry

Max
9.48
Q3
4.94
Median
2.42
Q1
1.21
Min
0.38

At 42.21, MSCI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Capital Markets industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

MS vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMSMSCI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)15.5637.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)2.0314.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)2.0842.21
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)10.4432.60