Morgan Stanley (MS) vs Charles Schwab (SCHW)
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 Charles Schwab (SCHW) over the past year, gaining 21.6% versus a gain of 1.7%. Over five years, MS leads with a +85.7% price change compared with +18.1% for SCHW. Morgan Stanley is the larger company by market cap ($297.95 billion vs $165.29 billion), about 1.8 times the size, while Charles Schwab is growing revenue faster (+22.0% vs +14.4%).
On valuation, Charles Schwab trades at a lower forward P/E (12.1x vs 14.0x for Morgan Stanley). Morgan Stanley offers the higher dividend yield (2.19% vs 1.23%). Charles Schwab converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.0% versus 23.9%.
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 | SCHW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $189.71 | $95.58 |
| Market cap | $297.95B | $165.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.69% | -1.26% |
| YTD return | +6.86% | -4.33% |
| 1-year return | +21.63% | +1.67% |
| 5-year return | +85.74% | +18.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.42 | 17.63 |
| Forward P/E | 13.98 | 12.11 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.30 | $5.42 |
| Dividend yield | 2.19% | 1.23% |
| Annual dividend | $4.15 | $1.18 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $70.64B | $23.92B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +14.38% | +22.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $16.86B | $8.85B |
| Net margin | 23.87% | 37.01% |
| 52-week high | $232.25 | $114.53 |
| 52-week low | $151.84 | $83.96 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.32% | -16.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.33% | +28.14% |
| Average volume | 5.14M | 7.97M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.57B | 1.73B |
| Employees | 83,000 | 33,700 |
| 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
- MS has outperformed SCHW by 20.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Charles Schwab is more profitable, keeping 37.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 23.9 cents for Morgan Stanley.
- Charles Schwab grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.01% vs +14.38%).
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 Charles Schwab
SCHW stock →The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services.
Finance · Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service · 33,700 employees
MS vs SCHW FAQ
Which is bigger, Morgan Stanley or Charles Schwab?
Morgan Stanley (MS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $297.95B compared with $165.29B for Charles Schwab (SCHW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MS or SCHW?
MS returned +21.63% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.67% for SCHW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MS or SCHW?
MS has the lower trailing P/E at 15.4, versus 17.6 for SCHW. 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 Charles Schwab?
Morgan Stanley has the higher yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.23% for Charles Schwab.
Are Morgan Stanley and Charles Schwab in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Investment Bankers/Brokers/Service industry within the Finance sector.