LPL Financial (LPLA) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Morgan Stanley (MS) has outperformed LPL Financial (LPLA) over the past year, gaining 21.6% versus a gain of 2.4%. Over five years, LPLA leads with a +88.3% price change compared with +85.7% for MS. Morgan Stanley is the larger company by market cap ($297.95 billion vs $25.58 billion), about 11.6 times the size, while LPL Financial is growing revenue faster (+37.2% vs +14.4%).
On valuation, LPL Financial trades at a lower forward P/E (10.8x vs 14.0x for Morgan Stanley). Morgan Stanley offers the higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 0.37%). Morgan Stanley converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.9% versus 5.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | LPLA | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $324.80 | $189.71 |
| Market cap | $25.58B | $297.95B |
| 1-day change | -2.28% | -0.69% |
| YTD return | -9.06% | +6.86% |
| 1-year return | +2.36% | +21.63% |
| 5-year return | +88.29% | +85.74% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.84 | 15.42 |
| Forward P/E | 10.82 | 13.98 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.57 | $12.30 |
| Dividend yield | 0.37% | 2.19% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $4.15 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.99B | $70.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +37.18% | +14.38% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $863.02M | $16.86B |
| Net margin | 5.08% | 23.87% |
| 52-week high | $400.16 | $232.25 |
| 52-week low | $260.15 | $151.84 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.83% | -18.32% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.35% | +18.33% |
| Average volume | 723.39K | 5.14M |
| Shares outstanding | 78.74M | 1.57B |
| Employees | 10,081 | 83,000 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service | Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Morgan Stanley is about 11.6 times larger than LPL Financial by market value ($297.95B vs $25.58B).
- MS has outperformed LPLA by 19.3 percentage points over the past year.
- LPL Financial trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.8x vs 15.4x trailing P/E).
- Morgan Stanley offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 0.37%).
- Morgan Stanley is more profitable, keeping 23.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.1 cents for LPL Financial.
- LPL Financial grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+37.18% vs +14.38%).
About LPL Financial
LPLA stock →LPL Financial Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides an integrated platform of brokerage and investment advisory services to independent financial advisors and financial advisors at institutions in the United States. The company's brokerage offerings include variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds, equities, fixed income, alternative investments, retirement and 529 education savings plans, and insurance; and client cash programs consist of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured bank sweep vehicles, and a client cash and money market account.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 10,081 employees
About Morgan Stanley
MS stock →Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 83,000 employees
LPLA vs MS FAQ
Which is bigger, LPL Financial or Morgan Stanley?
Morgan Stanley (MS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $297.95B compared with $25.58B for LPL Financial (LPLA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LPLA or MS?
MS returned +21.63% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.36% for LPLA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LPLA or MS?
MS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.4, versus 25.8 for LPLA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, LPL Financial or Morgan Stanley?
Morgan Stanley has the higher yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.37% for LPL Financial.
Are LPL Financial and Morgan Stanley in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.