Too early to go all in on stocks: Morgan Stanley

Published 20/10/2025, 13:22
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Morgan Stanley told investors in a note Monday that it is too early to go all in on stocks, citing unresolved trade tensions, softer earnings momentum, and tight liquidity conditions.

In its latest Weekly Warm-up, the bank reiterated that its “rolling recovery/early cycle thesis remains intact over the next 6-12 months.” 

However, analysts warned that it is “important to see clearer trade de-escalation from both sides, stability in EPS revisions, and more ample liquidity before declaring the all-clear on the risk of a further near-term correction.”

Morgan Stanley noted that “volatility remained with us last week and quality outperformed,” with the VIX touching its highest level since April. 

The firm said its policy strategists “ultimately see a narrow trade deal coming together around the APEC meeting,” but added that “execution risks on this front exist.”

On corporate earnings, the analysts remarked that they continue to see “earnings revisions breadth pull back from its historic rise since April,” though this is “very much in line with seasonal trends.”

The S&P 500, they added, is fairly valued based on where ERB sits today.

Morgan Stanley stated that its rolling recovery thesis coupled with the seasonal pattern suggest this is a “temporary pause in revisions breadth upside ahead of the next leg higher.”

The firm also described the current market as a “historically opportunistic stock-picking environment,” noting that “stock specific risk has seen a significant rise in recent months.”

“We think it’s important to see follow through here from both sides,” Morgan Stanley said, “before declaring the all-clear.”

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers
© 2007-2025 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.