Implications of Delayed Jobs and Inflation Data for Financial Markets

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

MS-2.72%

FDS-1.06%

Source: Barron's

Updated: Dec 15 2025

0mins

Source: Barron's

Market Outlook: Investors hoping to wind down early for the holidays are facing challenges this year due to delayed government data releases.
Data Impact: The upcoming data is expected to be less impactful, described as more like "stocking stuffers" rather than significant market movers.

$178.07+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on MS

Wall Street analysts forecast MS stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for MS is 185.00 USD with a low forecast of 132.00 USD and a high forecast of 219.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

14 Analyst Rating

7 Buy

7 Hold

0 Sell

Moderate Buy

Current: 183.050

Low

132.00

Averages

185.00

High

219.00

Current: 183.050

Low

132.00

Averages

185.00

High

219.00

Keefe Bruyette

Outperform

upgrade

$202 -> $210

2026-01-16

Reason

Keefe Bruyette

Price Target

$202 -> $210

AI Analysis

2026-01-16

upgrade

Outperform

Reason

Keefe Bruyette raised the firm's price target on Morgan Stanley to $210 from $202 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm has a constructive outlook looking ahead, the analyst tells investors in a research note.

RBC Capital

Sector Perform

maintain

$185 -> $207

2026-01-16

Reason

RBC Capital

Price Target

$185 -> $207

2026-01-16

maintain

Sector Perform

Reason

RBC Capital raised the firm's price target on Morgan Stanley to $207 from $185 and keeps a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The company's diversified investment services business model, with three primary growth engines - Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management - delivered strong results in the quarter, led by its premier investment banking and trading businesses, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Morgan's Stanley's Wealth Management division also generated a record 31.0% pre-tax margin, and its strong excess capital position should allow the bank to reward shareholders with common share repurchases and increased dividends, the firm added.

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BofA

Buy

maintain

$210 -> $220

2026-01-16

Reason

BofA

Price Target

$210 -> $220

2026-01-16

maintain

Buy

Reason

BofA raised the firm's price target on Morgan Stanley to $220 from $210 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares following Q4 core EPS of $2.73 having "handily beat" the firm's and consensus estimates. Following the report, the firm raised its FY26 EPS estimate 4.5% to $11.45, driven by higher revenues.

HSBC

Saul Martinez

Hold

maintain

$131 -> $132

2026-01-07

Reason

HSBC

Saul Martinez

Price Target

$131 -> $132

2026-01-07

maintain

Hold

Reason

HSBC analyst Saul Martinez raised the firm's price target on Morgan Stanley to $132 from $131 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. Bank stocks have pulled back, offering selective opportunities to add exposure, says the analyst, who raised the firm's 2025-26 adjusted EPS estimates among the group by about 1%-7% to incorporate higher net interest income, investment banking fees, and share repurchase estimates.

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.