Morgan Stanley (MS) vs Nasdaq (NDAQ)
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 Nasdaq (NDAQ) over the past year, gaining 21.6% versus a gain of 3.9%. Over five years, MS leads with a +85.7% price change compared with +35.8% for NDAQ. Morgan Stanley is the larger company by market cap ($297.95 billion vs $51.39 billion), about 5.8 times the size.
On valuation, Morgan Stanley trades at a lower forward P/E (14.0x vs 19.6x for Nasdaq). Morgan Stanley offers the higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 1.22%). Morgan Stanley converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 23.9% versus 21.6%.
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 | MS | NDAQ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $189.71 | $91.93 |
| Market cap | $297.95B | $51.39B |
| 1-day change | -0.69% | -0.37% |
| YTD return | +6.86% | -5.35% |
| 1-year return | +21.63% | +3.95% |
| 5-year return | +85.74% | +35.84% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.32 | 26.80 |
| Forward P/E | 13.96 | 19.64 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.38 | $3.43 |
| Dividend yield | 2.19% | 1.22% |
| Annual dividend | $4.15 | $1.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $70.64B | $8.26B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +14.38% | +11.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $16.86B | $1.79B |
| Gross margin | — | 63.53% |
| Operating margin | — | 28.21% |
| Net margin | 23.87% | 21.64% |
| 52-week high | $232.25 | $101.79 |
| 52-week low | $151.84 | $76.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.32% | -9.69% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.33% | +18.63% |
| Average volume | 5.15M | 3.30M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.57B | 558.98M |
| Employees | 83,000 | 9,630 |
| 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 5.8 times larger than Nasdaq by market value ($297.95B vs $51.39B).
- MS has outperformed NDAQ by 17.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Nasdaq trades at a higher earnings multiple (26.8x vs 15.3x trailing P/E).
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
About Nasdaq
NDAQ stock →Nasdaq, Inc. operates as a technology company that serves capital markets and other industries in the United States and internationally.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 9,630 employees
MS vs NDAQ FAQ
Which is bigger, Morgan Stanley or Nasdaq?
Morgan Stanley (MS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $297.95B compared with $51.39B for Nasdaq (NDAQ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MS or NDAQ?
MS returned +21.63% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.95% for NDAQ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MS or NDAQ?
MS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.3, versus 26.8 for NDAQ. 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, Morgan Stanley or Nasdaq?
Morgan Stanley has the higher yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.22% for Nasdaq.
Are Morgan Stanley and Nasdaq in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.