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

Updated on October 5, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MS	TSLA
Company Name	Morgan Stanley	Tesla, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Automobiles
Market Capitalization	251.57 billion USD	1,429.25 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	February 23, 1993	June 29, 2010
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MS	TSLA
5-Day Price Return	-2.22%	-3.02%
13-Week Price Return	9.33%	36.30%
26-Week Price Return	35.07%	65.86%
52-Week Price Return	50.78%	72.61%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.86%	-3.35%
Year-to-Date Return	25.35%	6.44%
10-Day Avg. Volume	5.11M	99.42M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.28M	98.22M
3-Month Volatility	17.88%	45.81%
Beta	1.23	1.87

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.

TSLA

8.22%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 28.52%
Q3: 12.70%
Median: 5.15%
Q1: -1.62%
Min: -18.19%

TSLA’s Return on Equity of 8.22% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

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.

TSLA

6.54%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 8.82%
Q3: 5.80%
Median: 2.77%
Q1: -1.08%
Min: -10.15%

A Net Profit Margin of 6.54% places TSLA in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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

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.

TSLA

6.06%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 6.94%
Median: 4.50%
Q1: -2.17%
Min: -13.85%

TSLA’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.06% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MS	TSLA
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.95%	8.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.15%	4.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.06%	6.54%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.07%	6.06%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	54.42%	17.48%

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.

TSLA

2.04

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.13
Q3: 1.52
Median: 1.29
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.47

TSLA’s Current Ratio of 2.04 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

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

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.

TSLA

0.09

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.07
Q3: 1.17
Median: 0.60
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.05

Falling into the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry, TSLA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.09 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

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

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.

TSLA

71.48

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 37.26
Median: 13.42
Q1: 1.43
Min: -49.07

TSLA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 71.48 is in the upper quartile for the Automobiles industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MS	TSLA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	2.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	1.35
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	7.68	0.09
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.25	71.48

Growth

Revenue Growth

MS vs. TSLA: 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. TSLA: 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

2.54%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.54% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

TSLA

0.00%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.85%
Q3: 4.84%
Median: 2.53%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

TSLA 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 vs. TSLA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Automobiles industry benchmarks.

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.

TSLA

0.00%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 131.16%
Q3: 60.59%
Median: 36.73%
Q1: 5.97%
Min: 0.00%

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MS	TSLA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.54%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	43.20%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MS

16.98

Capital Markets Industry

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

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.98 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.

TSLA

235.77

Automobiles Industry

Max: 31.95
Q3: 22.20
Median: 11.17
Q1: 7.39
Min: 4.54

At 235.77, TSLA’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Automobiles industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MS

2.22

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 2.22 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.

TSLA

15.41

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.92
Median: 0.47
Q1: 0.24
Min: 0.09

With a P/S Ratio of 15.41, TSLA trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Automobiles industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

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

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.

TSLA

13.23

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.87
Q3: 1.83
Median: 0.79
Q1: 0.47
Min: 0.18

At 13.23, TSLA’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Automobiles 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. TSLA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Automobiles industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MS	TSLA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.98	235.77
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.22	15.41
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.08	13.23
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.40	255.86