Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Hits New 12-Month High at $95.92

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $95.92 and last traded at $95.80, with a volume of 1943227 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $94.79.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on MS. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 17th. HSBC boosted their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, April 19th. Cfra increased their target price on Morgan Stanley from $97.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 16th. Bank of America upped their price target on Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $115.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 18th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $98.30.

Morgan Stanley Stock Up 1.1 %

The firm has a market cap of $155.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.45, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.41. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $90.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $86.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.75.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 16th. The financial services provider reported $2.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $15.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.42 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 10.87% and a net margin of 9.57%. Morgan Stanley's revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.70 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Morgan Stanley will post 6.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 30th will be issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley's dividend payout ratio is presently 61.93%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Morgan Stanley

In other news, insider Charles Aubrey Smith III sold 11,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.09, for a total value of $1,009,008.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 126,190 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,368,457.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, Chairman James P. Gorman sold 100,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $87.30, for a total transaction of $8,730,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 350,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,555,000. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Charles Aubrey Smith III sold 11,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.09, for a total value of $1,009,008.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 126,190 shares in the company, valued at $11,368,457.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 237,855 shares of company stock worth $21,084,057 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.24% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. raised its stake in Morgan Stanley by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 17,578 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,639,000 after acquiring an additional 618 shares in the last quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC raised its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 3.2% during the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 18,896 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,543,000 after purchasing an additional 580 shares in the last quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 2.9% in the third quarter. Calamos Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,400 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $849,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the period. Hartford Financial Management Inc. grew its position in Morgan Stanley by 17.9% in the 4th quarter. Hartford Financial Management Inc. now owns 917 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $86,000 after buying an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Morgan Stanley by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,600 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $615,000 after buying an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the company's stock.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.