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Investing.com - Citizens JMP analyst Brian McKenna has reiterated a Market Perform rating on Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) stock in a recent research note. The stock is currently trading near its 52-week high of $145.16, with a strong year-to-date return of 12.8%.
The analyst expressed encouragement about the company’s performance despite challenging market conditions, noting that Morgan Stanley is well positioned to consolidate market share.
Citizens JMP also believes the financial services firm has potential to expand returns over the intermediate term, according to the research note.
Despite these positive factors, the firm maintained its neutral stance, citing valuation concerns as the primary reason for not upgrading the stock.
The analyst specifically noted that Morgan Stanley shares are trading at approximately 14.5 times the firm’s 2026 earnings per share estimate and about 2.9 times tangible book value, which Citizens JMP views as relatively fair.
In other recent news, Morgan Stanley reported impressive financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) of $2.13 and revenue of $16.8 billion, both surpassing analysts’ expectations. Despite the strong earnings, the company’s stock experienced a decline, reflecting broader market concerns. Morgan Stanley also announced the hiring of Ashish Kumbhat from Bank of America to co-lead its bank advisory group, potentially signaling strategic moves in the mergers and acquisitions sector. Meanwhile, Via Transportation Inc. is reviving its plans for an initial public offering after withdrawing in 2021, with the assistance of firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Analysts and investors are closely watching these developments amidst market volatility and regulatory changes. Additionally, Morgan Stanley’s continued investments in ETRADE and technology highlight its strategic focus on growth and integration. The firm’s robust performance in global equities and fixed income markets further underscores its competitive positioning.
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