Should You Buy Morgan Stanley (MS) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.
Conclusion
Hold
Latest Price
182.340
1 Day change
-0.18%
52 Week Range
192.680
Analysis Updated At
2026/01/26
Morgan Stanley is not an ideal buy at the moment for a beginner investor with a long-term strategy. The technical indicators show a bearish trend, options data suggests mixed sentiment, and recent congressional trading data reveals a cautious stance. While the company's financials are strong and analysts have raised price targets, the lack of immediate positive catalysts and the recent price decline make it prudent to hold off on purchasing the stock now.
Technical Analysis
The MACD histogram is negative and expanding, indicating bearish momentum. RSI is at 35.785, which is neutral but nearing oversold territory. Moving averages are converging, showing no clear trend. The stock is trading below key support levels, with S1 at 179.39 and current price at 178.51, suggesting further downside risk.
Options Data
Bearish
Open Interest Put-Call Ratio
Bullish
Option Volume Put-Call Ratio
Technical Summary
Sell
4
Buy
6
Positive Catalysts
2026/01/26 02:49:15
Strong Q4 financial performance with revenue up 11.32% YoY, net income up 19.25% YoY, and EPS up 20.72% YoY. Analysts have raised price targets, with several maintaining Outperform or Buy ratings. The company's diversified business model and strong Wealth Management division are highlighted as key strengths.
Neutral/Negative Catalysts
2026/01/26 02:49:15
Congressional trading data shows 4 sale transactions and no purchases in the last 90 days, indicating caution. Technical indicators show bearish momentum. The stock has a 60% chance of declining 1.93% in the next day and 3.77% in the next week. Recent price action shows a decline of 2.21% in the regular market and additional losses in pre-market and post-market trading.
Financial Performance
Morgan Stanley's Q4 2025 financials were strong, with revenue of $28.86 billion (up 11.32% YoY), net income of $4.25 billion (up 19.25% YoY), and EPS of $2.68 (up 20.72% YoY). Gross margin increased slightly to 58.08%.
Growth
Profitability
Efficiency
Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends
Analysts have raised price targets, with the highest at $220 (BofA) and the lowest at $132 (HSBC). Most analysts maintain positive ratings, with Outperform and Buy ratings highlighting the company's strong financials and diversified business model. However, there are some neutral ratings, and Wells Fargo downgraded Morgan Stanley Direct Lending to Equal Weight.
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 USD with a low forecast of 132 USD and a high forecast of 219 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
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 USD with a low forecast of 132 USD and a high forecast of 219 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.
7 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 182.660
Low
132
Averages
185
High
219
Current: 182.660
Low
132
Averages
185
High
219
Keefe Bruyette
Outperform
upgrade
$202 -> $210
AI Analysis
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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