Morgan Stanley $MS Stock Sold by Hamlin Capital Management LLC

Hamlin Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) by 0.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,169,699 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 8,601 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanley accounts for about 5.4% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Hamlin Capital Management LLC owned 0.07% of Morgan Stanley worth $219,997,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Crown Wealth Group LLC boosted its position in Morgan Stanley by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Crown Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,532 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $320,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the period. Hughes Financial Services LLC grew its position 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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 35.7% in the second quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 194 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 0.6% in the second quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 8,245 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,724,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank OZK boosted its stake in Morgan Stanley by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bank OZK now owns 1,815 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. 84.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

Shares of MS traded down $2.20 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $187.51. 2,282,669 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,148,085. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $208.40 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $202.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $295.76 billion, a PE ratio of 15.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.22. 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 has a 1-year low of $151.84 and a 1-year high of $232.25.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $3.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.89 by $0.57. The business had revenue of $21.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.67 billion. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 19.31%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 27.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.13 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Morgan Stanley will post 12.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, June 24th that allows the company to repurchase $20.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the financial services provider to repurchase up to 5.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 31st were paid a $1.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 31st. This is an increase from Morgan Stanley’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. This represents a $4.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Morgan Stanley’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.19%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on MS shares. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $240.00 to $223.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Morgan Stanley from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $235.00 to $210.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Morgan Stanley from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Morgan Stanley currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $219.43.

More Morgan Stanley News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley plans to convert eight Eaton Vance municipal-bond mutual funds with nearly $10 billion in assets into ETFs, potentially supporting fee growth, product competitiveness and fund flows. Shareholder approval is required. Morgan Stanley Wants to Convert Nearly $10 Billion in Municipal Mutual Funds Into ETFs
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley was selected as a joint lead manager for the U.K.’s planned digitally native government bond, creating potential underwriting, distribution and advisory revenue opportunities. UK names six banks to lead first digitally native government bond
• Positive Sentiment: Call-option volume reached 26,930 contracts, well above the recent average, indicating some traders are positioning for a rebound. Jim Cramer also recently endorsed MS following its pullback and buyback authorization. Jim Cramer Backs Morgan Stanley After Its Pullback
• Neutral Sentiment: TD Cowen initiated coverage with a Hold rating and a $210 price target, while broader coverage averages imply a Moderate Buy rating and an average target near $220. The target upside is constructive, but the Hold initiation limits the immediate bullish signal. TD Cowen Initiates Morgan Stanley Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group downgraded Morgan Stanley from Buy to Hold. Separately, earnings-preview commentary says the company lacks the usual combination of factors associated with a likely upcoming earnings beat, encouraging investors to reduce risk ahead of results. Morgan Stanley Earnings Expected to Grow

Morgan Stanley Company Profile

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services firm serving corporations, governments, financial institutions, individuals and other investors. The company provides investment banking and advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions advice, equity and debt underwriting, securities sales and trading, and corporate lending.

Through its Wealth Management business, Morgan Stanley offers financial planning, brokerage, investment advisory and banking services to individual investors, businesses and institutions.