JPMorgan Chase vs Morgan Stanley

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley are examined side by side on this page, comparing their business models, financial performance, and market context. It explains how each firm creates value, manages risk, and positions itself within the global financial landscape in clear, accessible terms. Educational content, not financial advice.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley are examined side by side on this page, comparing their business models, financial performance, and market context. It explains how each firm creates value, man...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

JPM

Metric

MS

$818.66B

Market Cap

$283.36B

3.52%

Potential Profit

-5.84%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

JPMorgan's Earnings Kick Off 2026 with Trading Boom Offset by M&A Delays and Rising Costs

Markets division revenue soared 17% to $8.2 billion, powered by 40% equities trading surge amid AI-driven market swings.
Investment banking fees dropped 5% to $2.35 billion as multi-year high M&A pipeline deals slipped into early 2026.
Dimon flagged elevated expense guidance tied to tech investments, betting on outsized capture of rebounding deal volume.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

Morgan Stanley Earns Zacks 'Strong Buy' Upgrade on Surging Earnings Optimism

Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 jumped 8.3% over the past three months, placing MS in the top 5% of stocks for earnings revision trends.
The upgrade signals improving fundamentals, with expectations of steady $9.92 per share for fiscal 2025, positioning MS for potential outperformance.
Wall Street peers note record $4.3B in equities activity, highlighting MS's strong positioning in a high-valuation environment.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

JPMorgan's Earnings Kick Off 2026 with Trading Boom Offset by M&A Delays and Rising Costs

Markets division revenue soared 17% to $8.2 billion, powered by 40% equities trading surge amid AI-driven market swings.
Investment banking fees dropped 5% to $2.35 billion as multi-year high M&A pipeline deals slipped into early 2026.
Dimon flagged elevated expense guidance tied to tech investments, betting on outsized capture of rebounding deal volume.

Sentiment:

⚖️Neutral

Morgan Stanley Earns Zacks 'Strong Buy' Upgrade on Surging Earnings Optimism

Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 jumped 8.3% over the past three months, placing MS in the top 5% of stocks for earnings revision trends.
The upgrade signals improving fundamentals, with expectations of steady $9.92 per share for fiscal 2025, positioning MS for potential outperformance.
Wall Street peers note record $4.3B in equities activity, highlighting MS's strong positioning in a high-valuation environment.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

JPMorgan Chase

JPM

Pros

JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank by market capitalization globally with $735 billion, indicating strong market leadership and scale.
The bank benefits from diversified operations, including significant retail banking under the Chase brand alongside institutional banking.
JPMorgan Chase has shown solid profitability with a high EPS of 19.75 and a comparatively lower P/E ratio, suggesting efficiency and value.

Considerations

Its large size and retail exposure make JPMorgan Chase more susceptible to regulatory changes and consumer credit risks.
The major bank operates in a highly competitive and cyclical industry, which can lead to earnings volatility tied to economic cycles.
Despite strong recent returns, JPMorgan Chase faces moderate valuation growth ratings compared to peers, indicating some limits on near-term price appreciation.

Morgan Stanley

MS

Pros

Morgan Stanley has a clearer focus on institutional banking without retail operations, allowing it to specialise and potentially optimise capital deployment.
The company has been growing faster in stock price terms over the last 12 months relative to JPMorgan Chase, reflecting investor appetite for its business model.
Morgan Stanley is highly rated for company culture and leadership, factors supportive of long-term execution and employee retention.

Considerations

Morgan Stanley is much smaller in scale, with a market cap of around $220 billion, which may limit competitive advantage against much bigger banks.
Lack of retail banking limits diversification, making it more reliant on market-sensitive investment banking revenues.
Employee reviews highlight job security concerns, introducing potential operational risks in retaining top talent in a competitive industry.

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