Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Receives $224.75 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

Shares of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) have received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-six ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $224.75.

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Morgan Stanley from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $183.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Morgan Stanley from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. HSBC boosted their target price on Morgan Stanley from $190.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $225.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th.

Morgan Stanley Stock Down 3.1%

MS opened at $207.58 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $217.16 and a 200-day moving average of $193.98. The company has a market capitalization of $327.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.22. Morgan Stanley has a fifty-two week low of $142.90 and a fifty-two week high of $232.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.65, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.46 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.89 by $0.57. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The business had revenue of $21.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.67 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.13 earnings per share. Morgan Stanley’s revenue was up 27.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Morgan Stanley will post 12.79 EPS for the current year.

Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st were paid a $1.15 dividend. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 31st. This is a positive change from Morgan Stanley’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. Morgan Stanley’s payout ratio is currently 37.19%.

Morgan Stanley announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, June 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 5.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Marquette Asset Management LLC raised its position in Morgan Stanley by 143.4% in the second quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 129 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Atlatl Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 55.7% during the second quarter. Hughes Financial Services LLC now owns 137 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Finally, Purpose Unlimited Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. 84.19% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Morgan Stanley News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley selected Dallas for a major expansion outside New York, signaling long-term investment in Texas, potential operating-cost advantages, and broader access to talent. The move could support growth and geographic diversification, although it may also attract political scrutiny. Morgan Stanley picks Dallas for expansion outside NYC
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley’s research highlighted a potential 38-gigawatt power shortfall for AI data centers, identifying industrial and infrastructure companies that could benefit. This reinforces the firm’s advisory and research relevance in the fast-growing AI infrastructure market. Morgan Stanley Says AI Data Centers Face a 38-Gigawatt Power Gap
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley reportedly disclosed a 5.6% stake in IonQ, potentially providing upside if the quantum-computing investment appreciates. The position also demonstrates continued access to emerging-technology opportunities, though it is unlikely to materially affect Morgan Stanley’s earnings near term. Morgan Stanley Discloses 5.6% Stake in IonQ
• Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its gold outlook to above $5,000 per ounce by 2027, which may benefit commodities research, trading, and client activity. However, the forecast itself has limited direct impact on the company’s fundamentals. Morgan Stanley Forecasts Gold to Surpass $5,000 by 2027
• Negative Sentiment: A former advisor has accused Morgan Stanley of gender and disability discrimination, inappropriate pressure, confidentiality breaches, and denial of medical leave. The allegations are not adjudicated, but they create potential legal, compliance, and reputational risks. What Is Morgan Stanley Being Accused Of?
• Negative Sentiment: Scotiabank hired Richard Tory, described as Morgan Stanley’s leading Canadian banker. The departure could raise concerns about talent retention and competitive pressure in Morgan Stanley’s Canadian investment-banking operations. Scotiabank hires Morgan Stanley’s top Canada banker

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1935 by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley, the company provides a broad range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to corporations, governments, institutions and individual investors. Leadership has been guided by a senior executive team and board of directors; James P. Gorman has served as the company’s chief executive and chairman in recent years.

The firm’s primary business activities are organized around three principal businesses: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.