Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, Leidos, and Others Featured in CNBC's 'Final Trades'
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 30 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Morgan Stanley and Analyst Ratings: Joe Terranova from Virtus Investment Partners selected Morgan Stanley as his final trade, while Citigroup's Keith Horowitz maintained a Neutral rating and raised the price target from $130 to $155.
Exxon Mobil's Deal with Rosneft: Exxon Mobil has entered an agreement with Russia's Rosneft to explore recovering losses from its 2022 withdrawal, potentially reclaiming a $4.6 billion write-down.
Performance of Selected Stocks: Leidos Holdings, chosen by Stephen Weiss, saw a price target increase from $185 to $210, while shares of Charles Schwab and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF also experienced gains.
Market Trends: Charles Schwab reported a 15% growth in total client assets year-over-year, benefiting from high share prices and Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy MS?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on MS
Wall Street analysts forecast MS stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 210.140
Low
132.00
Averages
185.00
High
219.00
Current: 210.140
Low
132.00
Averages
185.00
High
219.00
About MS
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services company. The Company is engaged in providing a range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. Its segments include Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management. Its Institutional Securities segment provides a variety of products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions and ultra-high net worth clients. Its Wealth Management segment provides an array of financial services and solutions to individual investors and small to medium-sized businesses and institutions. Its Investment Management segment provides a range of investment strategies and products that span geographies, asset classes, and public and private markets to a diverse group of clients across institutional and intermediary channels. Its investment banking services consist of capital raising and financial advisory services, including the underwriting of debt and other products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
US Stocks Close Mixed: Dow Hits All-Time High
- Dow Hits Record High: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.73% to reach an all-time high, reflecting strong rebounds in bank and managed healthcare stocks, despite a 0.53% decline in the Nasdaq 100 due to weakness in technology stocks.
- Crude Oil Prices Decline: WTI crude oil prices fell over 3%, lowering inflation expectations and pushing the 10-year T-note yield down 2 basis points to 4.47%, providing support for both stock and bond markets, indicating a complex market reaction to economic outlooks.
- Jobless Claims Rise: Initial jobless claims in the US increased by 13,000 to 225,000, marking a 3.75-month high, suggesting a weaker labor market, although unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised down to 1.8%, easing concerns over wage pressures.
- Earnings Season Summary: As of Thursday, 83% of the 494 S&P 500 companies reported earnings that beat estimates, with Q1 earnings projected to rise 12% year-over-year, but excluding the tech sector, growth is only about 3%, the lowest in two years, reflecting divergence across industries.
See More
Advance Auto Parts Surprises with Growth Amid Analyst Caution
- Stock Performance Surprises: Advance Auto Parts stock has risen 44% year-to-date, currently priced around $57, making it one of the best performers in the consumer goods sector, indicating its potential for growth against analyst skepticism.
- Financial Improvement: The company's first-quarter report revealed a 6% year-over-year increase in gross profit to $1.18 billion and operating income surged to $69 million, a significant turnaround from a $131 million net loss last year, demonstrating the effectiveness of its turnaround plan.
- Cost Control Measures: By closing approximately 700 underperforming stores, Advance Auto Parts achieved an 8% reduction in expenses to $1.1 billion; while sales remained flat year-over-year, a 3.5% increase in same-store sales boosted overall performance.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates adjusted EPS between $2.40 and $3.10 for the fiscal year, representing a 22% increase at the midpoint compared to last year's $2.26, and expects free cash flow to reach $100 million, a significant improvement from a $298 million outflow in 2025.
See More
Advance Auto Parts Stock Surges 44% Year-to-Date Amid Analyst Caution
- Stock Performance: Advance Auto Parts has seen its stock price jump 44% year-to-date to approximately $57 per share, despite analysts' cautious outlook, with most ratings being hold or sell, indicating a divergence in market sentiment regarding its future performance.
- Financial Health: The company reported flat net sales of $1.1 billion year-over-year in Q1, despite closing 700 underperforming stores, while same-store sales increased by 3.5%, leading to a 6% rise in gross profit to $1.18 billion and operating income rebounding to $69 million from a $131 million net loss last year, showcasing the initial success of its turnaround plan.
- Future Outlook: Advance Auto Parts anticipates adjusted EPS between $2.40 and $3.10 for the fiscal year, representing a 22% increase at the midpoint compared to last year's $2.26, while also expecting free cash flow of $100 million, a significant improvement from the $298 million outflow in 2025, indicating a gradual recovery in its financial position.
- Market Reaction: Currently, only 7% of analysts rate the stock as a buy and 11% as a sell, with a high P/E ratio of 56 times earnings; however, its more reasonable 22 times forward P/E and low price-to-sales ratio suggest that Advance Auto Parts stock may still have room for further gains, prompting investors to evaluate cautiously.
See More
U.S. Lifts Day Trader Capital Requirements
- Rule Change for Day Traders: The U.S. has eliminated the $25,000 capital requirement for day traders, allowing retail investors to rapidly buy and sell zero-commission options, significantly lowering market entry barriers and expected to boost trading volumes.
- New Risk Monitoring Mechanism: Under the new regulations, brokers will assess the actual risk of open trades through monitoring infrastructure, enabling them to block overleveraged trades or issue margin calls by the end of the trading day, thereby enhancing market stability.
- Brokerage Responses: Firms like Robinhood and Webull are quick to adapt to the new rules, likely benefiting directly from increased trading volumes, while Charles Schwab plans to implement changes by June 8, indicating varying speeds of market participant adaptation.
- Optimistic Profit Outlook: The removal of capital requirements for day traders is set to positively impact brokerages' bottom lines by driving increased trading volumes, which will enhance revenues from payment for order flow, margin fees, or premium subscriptions, strengthening overall profitability.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Launch with Nearly $2 Trillion Valuation
- Massive IPO Scale: SpaceX's upcoming IPO is targeting a valuation close to $2 trillion, which, if successful, would mark the largest IPO in history, drawing significant investor interest particularly due to its involvement in high-growth sectors like space launches, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence.
- Retail Investor Opportunities: While traditionally 90% to 95% of IPO shares are allocated to institutional investors, Musk aims to reserve about 30% for retail investors, providing a unique opportunity for non-professional investors to participate at the offer price, thereby enhancing market engagement and activity.
- Diverse Participation Methods: SpaceX plans to offer shares to retail investors through various brokerages, including Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Robinhood, and SoFi, necessitating that investors check these brokerages' IPO calendars in advance to ensure they can participate in this significant investment event.
- Financial Situation Analysis: SpaceX has shown nearly 80% revenue growth over the past two years, but heavy spending in AI is expected to lead to losses in 2025, suggesting cautious investors might consider safer investment routes like ETFs, while aggressive investors may opt to enter early to capitalize on potential high growth.
See More
SpaceX Aims for Record-Breaking IPO Launch
- Record-Breaking IPO: SpaceX is targeting a valuation of nearly $2 trillion for its upcoming IPO, potentially making it the largest in history, which has garnered significant investor interest and reflects strong market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Retail Investor Opportunities: Unlike traditional IPOs, SpaceX plans to allocate about 30% of shares to retail investors, a move that not only enhances participation for non-professional investors but could also reshape the IPO landscape and strengthen ties between the company and its investors.
- Diverse Business Ventures: SpaceX's involvement in three high-growth sectors—space launches, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence—positions it strongly for future market competition, especially against the backdrop of increasing technological innovation and demand.
- Financial Health Assessment: While SpaceX's revenue has surged nearly 80% over two years, heavy investments in AI have led to projected losses in 2025, indicating that investors should carefully evaluate its financial health before deciding to participate in the IPO.
See More
US Stocks Close Mixed: Dow Hits All-Time High
- Dow Hits Record High: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.73% to reach an all-time high, reflecting strong rebounds in bank and managed healthcare stocks, despite a 0.53% decline in the Nasdaq 100 due to weakness in technology stocks.
- Crude Oil Prices Decline: WTI crude oil prices fell over 3%, lowering inflation expectations and pushing the 10-year T-note yield down 2 basis points to 4.47%, providing support for both stock and bond markets, indicating a complex market reaction to economic outlooks.
- Jobless Claims Rise: Initial jobless claims in the US increased by 13,000 to 225,000, marking a 3.75-month high, suggesting a weaker labor market, although unit labor costs were unexpectedly revised down to 1.8%, easing concerns over wage pressures.
- Earnings Season Summary: As of Thursday, 83% of the 494 S&P 500 companies reported earnings that beat estimates, with Q1 earnings projected to rise 12% year-over-year, but excluding the tech sector, growth is only about 3%, the lowest in two years, reflecting divergence across industries.
See More
Advance Auto Parts Surprises with Growth Amid Analyst Caution
- Stock Performance Surprises: Advance Auto Parts stock has risen 44% year-to-date, currently priced around $57, making it one of the best performers in the consumer goods sector, indicating its potential for growth against analyst skepticism.
- Financial Improvement: The company's first-quarter report revealed a 6% year-over-year increase in gross profit to $1.18 billion and operating income surged to $69 million, a significant turnaround from a $131 million net loss last year, demonstrating the effectiveness of its turnaround plan.
- Cost Control Measures: By closing approximately 700 underperforming stores, Advance Auto Parts achieved an 8% reduction in expenses to $1.1 billion; while sales remained flat year-over-year, a 3.5% increase in same-store sales boosted overall performance.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates adjusted EPS between $2.40 and $3.10 for the fiscal year, representing a 22% increase at the midpoint compared to last year's $2.26, and expects free cash flow to reach $100 million, a significant improvement from a $298 million outflow in 2025.
See More
Advance Auto Parts Stock Surges 44% Year-to-Date Amid Analyst Caution
- Stock Performance: Advance Auto Parts has seen its stock price jump 44% year-to-date to approximately $57 per share, despite analysts' cautious outlook, with most ratings being hold or sell, indicating a divergence in market sentiment regarding its future performance.
- Financial Health: The company reported flat net sales of $1.1 billion year-over-year in Q1, despite closing 700 underperforming stores, while same-store sales increased by 3.5%, leading to a 6% rise in gross profit to $1.18 billion and operating income rebounding to $69 million from a $131 million net loss last year, showcasing the initial success of its turnaround plan.
- Future Outlook: Advance Auto Parts anticipates adjusted EPS between $2.40 and $3.10 for the fiscal year, representing a 22% increase at the midpoint compared to last year's $2.26, while also expecting free cash flow of $100 million, a significant improvement from the $298 million outflow in 2025, indicating a gradual recovery in its financial position.
- Market Reaction: Currently, only 7% of analysts rate the stock as a buy and 11% as a sell, with a high P/E ratio of 56 times earnings; however, its more reasonable 22 times forward P/E and low price-to-sales ratio suggest that Advance Auto Parts stock may still have room for further gains, prompting investors to evaluate cautiously.
See More
U.S. Lifts Day Trader Capital Requirements
- Rule Change for Day Traders: The U.S. has eliminated the $25,000 capital requirement for day traders, allowing retail investors to rapidly buy and sell zero-commission options, significantly lowering market entry barriers and expected to boost trading volumes.
- New Risk Monitoring Mechanism: Under the new regulations, brokers will assess the actual risk of open trades through monitoring infrastructure, enabling them to block overleveraged trades or issue margin calls by the end of the trading day, thereby enhancing market stability.
- Brokerage Responses: Firms like Robinhood and Webull are quick to adapt to the new rules, likely benefiting directly from increased trading volumes, while Charles Schwab plans to implement changes by June 8, indicating varying speeds of market participant adaptation.
- Optimistic Profit Outlook: The removal of capital requirements for day traders is set to positively impact brokerages' bottom lines by driving increased trading volumes, which will enhance revenues from payment for order flow, margin fees, or premium subscriptions, strengthening overall profitability.
See More
SpaceX IPO Set to Launch with Nearly $2 Trillion Valuation
- Massive IPO Scale: SpaceX's upcoming IPO is targeting a valuation close to $2 trillion, which, if successful, would mark the largest IPO in history, drawing significant investor interest particularly due to its involvement in high-growth sectors like space launches, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence.
- Retail Investor Opportunities: While traditionally 90% to 95% of IPO shares are allocated to institutional investors, Musk aims to reserve about 30% for retail investors, providing a unique opportunity for non-professional investors to participate at the offer price, thereby enhancing market engagement and activity.
- Diverse Participation Methods: SpaceX plans to offer shares to retail investors through various brokerages, including Charles Schwab, Fidelity, Robinhood, and SoFi, necessitating that investors check these brokerages' IPO calendars in advance to ensure they can participate in this significant investment event.
- Financial Situation Analysis: SpaceX has shown nearly 80% revenue growth over the past two years, but heavy spending in AI is expected to lead to losses in 2025, suggesting cautious investors might consider safer investment routes like ETFs, while aggressive investors may opt to enter early to capitalize on potential high growth.
See More
SpaceX Aims for Record-Breaking IPO Launch
- Record-Breaking IPO: SpaceX is targeting a valuation of nearly $2 trillion for its upcoming IPO, potentially making it the largest in history, which has garnered significant investor interest and reflects strong market confidence in its growth prospects.
- Retail Investor Opportunities: Unlike traditional IPOs, SpaceX plans to allocate about 30% of shares to retail investors, a move that not only enhances participation for non-professional investors but could also reshape the IPO landscape and strengthen ties between the company and its investors.
- Diverse Business Ventures: SpaceX's involvement in three high-growth sectors—space launches, satellite internet, and artificial intelligence—positions it strongly for future market competition, especially against the backdrop of increasing technological innovation and demand.
- Financial Health Assessment: While SpaceX's revenue has surged nearly 80% over two years, heavy investments in AI have led to projected losses in 2025, indicating that investors should carefully evaluate its financial health before deciding to participate in the IPO.
See More
