Live Report · Updated January 26, 2026

Morgan Stanley vs American Express

This page compares Morgan Stanley and American Express, examining their business models, financial performance, and the market context in which they operate. It aims to be neutral and accessible, presenting information to help readers understand differences without making recommendations. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Morgan Stanley and American Express, examining their business models, financial performance, and the market context in which they operate. It aims to be neutral and accessible, pres...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

MS

Metric

AXP

$287.92B

Market Cap

$250.23B

-6.24%

Potential Profit

-3.62%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Hold

Why It's Moving

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

AXP Dips on Rate Cap Fears Ahead of Pivotal Earnings Test

Shares retreated 7% in the first two weeks of January amid 'policy shock' from interest rate cap proposal, pricing in risks to lending profitability.
Q4 earnings expected at $3.54 per share (up 16.45% YoY) and $18.86B revenue (up 9.79% YoY), but focus is on guidance for operating costs and policy response.
Rising loan loss provisions and double-digit expense growth challenge 9% revenue momentum, prompting potential AI-driven efficiencies to protect affluent customer appeal.

Sentiment:

🌋Volatile

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

AXP Dips on Rate Cap Fears Ahead of Pivotal Earnings Test

Shares retreated 7% in the first two weeks of January amid 'policy shock' from interest rate cap proposal, pricing in risks to lending profitability.
Q4 earnings expected at $3.54 per share (up 16.45% YoY) and $18.86B revenue (up 9.79% YoY), but focus is on guidance for operating costs and policy response.
Rising loan loss provisions and double-digit expense growth challenge 9% revenue momentum, prompting potential AI-driven efficiencies to protect affluent customer appeal.

Sentiment:

🌋Volatile

Investment Analysis

Morgan Stanley

MS

Pros

Morgan Stanley reported record net revenues of $18.2 billion and a 23.5% return on tangible common equity in Q3 2025.
Wealth Management segment achieved a 30% pre-tax margin with $81 billion in net new assets, supporting stable growth.
Diversified revenue streams from strong Equity business and a rebound in Investment Banking underpin earnings resilience.

Considerations

Equity markets face potential volatility risks, including possible 10-20% corrections forecasted by industry leaders.
Stock momentum is neutral with mixed technical indicators, suggesting potential near-term price fluctuations.
Morgan Stanley's high market valuation requires continued strong earnings growth to justify current price levels.

American Express

AXP

Pros

American Express maintains a substantial market capitalization near $252 billion, reflecting its strong brand and market position.
The company benefits from a large share float and active liquidity, with over 688 million shares outstanding.
Recent insider share sales by stock option exercise indicate ongoing management confidence and alignment with shareholder interests.

Considerations

American Express is indirectly exposed to potential market sell-off risks given shares were planned for sale through Morgan Stanley.
The company faces macroeconomic and consumer spending sensitivity that could impact payment volumes and fee revenue.
Competitive pressures in the payment and credit card industry may constrain margin expansion and necessitate continued innovation investment.

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