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

Updated on October 4, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	MS	WMT
Company Name	Morgan Stanley	Walmart Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Consumer Staples
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Market Capitalization	255.59 billion USD	822.48 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 23, 1993	August 25, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MS	WMT
5-Day Price Return	-1.30%	-1.06%
13-Week Price Return	11.21%	3.79%
26-Week Price Return	31.84%	19.07%
52-Week Price Return	50.51%	26.27%
Month-to-Date Return	-1.30%	-1.07%
Year-to-Date Return	24.79%	12.85%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.01M	15.78M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.26M	16.23M
3-Month Volatility	17.67%	18.93%
Beta	1.24	0.66

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.

WMT

24.18%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 36.53%
Q3: 21.48%
Median: 13.14%
Q1: 8.11%
Min: -9.87%

In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, WMT’s Return on Equity of 24.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

3.08%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 7.25%
Q3: 3.98%
Median: 2.77%
Q1: 1.73%
Min: -0.70%

WMT’s Net Profit Margin of 3.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

4.18%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 9.42%
Q3: 5.61%
Median: 4.18%
Q1: 2.72%
Min: 0.23%

WMT’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.18% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MS	WMT
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.95%	24.18%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.15%	8.07%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.06%	3.08%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.07%	4.18%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	54.42%	38.66%

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.

WMT

0.79

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.76
Q3: 1.28
Median: 0.98
Q1: 0.82
Min: 0.49

WMT’s Current Ratio of 0.79 falls into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

0.56

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 3.61
Q3: 1.64
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

WMT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.56 is typical for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

12.72

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 24.36
Q3: 13.75
Median: 5.79
Q1: 3.04
Min: -5.51

WMT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MS	WMT
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.79
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.19
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	7.68	0.56
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.25	12.72

Growth

Revenue Growth

MS vs. WMT: 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. WMT: 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

2.53%

Capital Markets Industry

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

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WMT

0.88%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 6.08%
Q3: 3.33%
Median: 1.77%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WMT’s Dividend Yield of 0.88% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

33.30%

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 172.48%
Q3: 103.93%
Median: 54.70%
Q1: 24.82%
Min: 0.00%

WMT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.30% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MS	WMT
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.53%	0.88%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	43.20%	33.30%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MS

17.10

Capital Markets Industry

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

MS’s P/E Ratio of 17.10 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.

WMT

37.92

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 47.99
Q3: 30.23
Median: 22.19
Q1: 16.85
Min: 4.52

A P/E Ratio of 37.92 places WMT in the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MS

2.23

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 2.23 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.

WMT

1.17

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 1.79
Q3: 0.96
Median: 0.53
Q1: 0.37
Min: 0.06

WMT’s P/S Ratio of 1.17 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

MS vs. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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.

WMT

8.68

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry

Max: 8.68
Q3: 4.97
Median: 2.98
Q1: 1.86
Min: 0.46

WMT’s P/B Ratio of 8.68 is in the upper tier for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail 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 vs. WMT: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MS	WMT
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	17.10	37.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.23	1.17
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.08	8.68
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.47	58.84