Morgan Stanley (MS)
NYSEFinancialsFinancial - Capital MarketsSnapshot 2026-09-04
$217.72+0.26%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NYSEFinancialsFinancial - Capital MarketsSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · MS
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within financials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks MS against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Met or beat guidance 100% of the last 1 guided quarters · 0.0% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue the multi-year common equity share repurchase program of up to $20 billion, without a set expiration date, starting Q3 2026.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. The Board reauthorized a multi-year common equity share repurchase program of up to $20 billion starting Q3 2025 and reaffirmed it in Q1 and Q2 2026. The Firm repurchased $1.1B in 2025-Q3, $1.75B in 2026-Q1, and $1.5B in 2026-Q2. The trajectory shows consistent execution and ongoing commitment to the program.
“The Board of Directors reauthorized a multi-year common equity share repurchase program of up to $20 billion, without a set expiration date, beginning in the third quarter of 2026.”
“The Board of Directors reauthorized a multi-year common equity share repurchase program of up to $20 billion, without a set expiration date, beginning in the third quarter of 2026.”
“The Firm’s Board of Directors reauthorized a multi-year common equity share repurchase program of up to $20 billion, without a set expiration date, beginning in the third quarter of 2025.”
Increase the quarterly common stock dividend from $1.00 to $1.15 per share starting in Q3 2026.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. The quarterly dividend was $0.925 in 2025-Q3, increased to $1.00 in 2026-Q1, and was announced to increase to $1.15 starting Q3 2026. The trajectory shows a clear upward trend in dividend payments consistent with management's stated priority.
“The Board of Directors declared a $1.15 quarterly dividend per share, an increase of 15 cents, payable on August 14, 2026.”
“The Board of Directors declared a $1.00 quarterly dividend per share payable on May 15, 2026.”
“The Board of Directors declared a $1.00 quarterly dividend per share payable on November 14, 2025.”
Maintain and grow strong net revenues, net income, and ROTCE across business segments each quarter.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Net revenues increased from $14.95B in 2025-Q4 to $21.3B in 2026-Q2, net income rose from $4.4B to $5.58B, and ROTCE improved from 18.2% to 26.6%. Management consistently emphasized strong execution and record results, and the financials show delivering growth and profitability across segments.
“Record revenues of over $21 billion and EPS of $3.46 driven by strong performance across all segments.”
“Morgan Stanley reported a record quarter with net revenues of $20.6 billion and EPS of $3.43.”
“Reported net income of $4.4 billion and operating income of $5.76 billion with revenue of $14.95 billion.”
“Strong quarter with net revenues of $18.2 billion and EPS of $2.80, driven by integrated firm performance.”
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Financials names rated strong grew net income 67% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=7680).
Over the trailing year it converted -3.00x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Financials names rated fragile grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 61% for the rest of the cohort, n=6844).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
9 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Financials names rated stable grew net income 56% of the time over the next year (vs 57% for the rest of the cohort, n=2725).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.