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

Updated on October 11, 2025

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

Company Profile

MS is a standard domestic listing, while NMR trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	MS	NMR
Company Name	Morgan Stanley	Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Country	United States	Japan
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	248.47 billion USD	21.08 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 23, 1993	December 17, 2001
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MS and NMR 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. NMR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NMR
5-Day Price Return	0.23%	4.84%
13-Week Price Return	9.96%	17.14%
26-Week Price Return	44.21%	19.58%
52-Week Price Return	44.60%	23.08%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.08%	0.69%
Year-to-Date Return	23.81%	17.36%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.95M	10.88M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.26M	10.61M
3-Month Volatility	17.64%	23.37%
Beta	1.23	1.56

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
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.

NMR

10.90%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

NMR’s Return on Equity of 10.90% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MS vs. NMR: 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: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NMR

8.05%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s Net Profit Margin of 8.05% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

MS vs. NMR: 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: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
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.

NMR

11.32%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

NMR’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.32% 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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NMR
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.95%	10.90%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.15%	0.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.06%	8.05%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.07%	11.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	54.42%	41.95%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

NMR

0.26

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

MS vs. NMR: 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: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

NMR

10.28

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

MS vs. NMR: 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: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

NMR

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NMR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.26
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.26
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	7.68	10.28
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.25	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

MS vs. NMR: 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. NMR: 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

2.55%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.55% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NMR

3.53%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

NMR’s Dividend Yield of 3.53% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
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.

NMR

66.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

NMR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 66.06% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NMR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.55%	3.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	43.20%	66.06%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MS

16.93

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.93 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.

NMR

8.47

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s P/E Ratio of 8.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MS

2.21

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.21 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.

NMR

0.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, NMR’s P/S Ratio of 0.68 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.

MS vs. NMR: 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: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

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.

NMR

0.87

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

NMR’s P/B Ratio of 0.87 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets 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 vs. NMR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NMR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.93	8.47
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.21	0.68
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.08	0.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.36	3.34