Here’s a detailed breakdown of Morgan Stanley, one of the most prominent financial services firms in the U.S. and globally:
🔷 Morgan Stanley
📌 Overview
Attribute
Details
Founded
1935 (New York City)
Headquarters
New York City, USA
CEO
Ted Pick (since January 2024)
Ticker Symbol
MS (NYSE)
Employees
~80,000 globally (2025)
Assets Under Management (AUM)
~$1.5 trillion (investment management only)
Client Assets
Over $6.5 trillion (including wealth management)
💼 What Does Morgan Stanley Do?
Morgan Stanley is a global investment bank and wealth management giant. Its services fall into three major areas:
1. Wealth Management
Acquired E*TRADE (2020) and Solium (stock plan services).
Offers:
Financial advisors
Portfolio management
Retirement planning
Stock plan administration
Robo-advisory and digital investing
2. Investment Management
Mutual funds, ETFs, hedge funds, and alternative investments.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) includes:
Eaton Vance
Calvert Research (ESG funds)
3. Institutional Securities
Investment banking, M&A advisory
Sales and trading (stocks, bonds, derivatives)
Capital markets, underwriting, research
🧠 Key Subsidiaries & Acquisitions
Subsidiary
Focus Area
E*TRADE
Online brokerage and retail investors
Eaton Vance
Active investment management & mutual funds
Calvert
ESG and sustainable investing
Solium (Shareworks)
Equity compensation platform for corporations
📊 Popular Investment Products
Product/Platform
Description
E*TRADE by Morgan Stanley
Online platform for retail stock and ETF trading
Morgan Stanley Access Investing
Robo-advisor with automated portfolios
Morgan Stanley Funds
Professionally managed mutual funds and ETFs
Calvert ESG Funds
Focused on sustainable and responsible investing
🔍 E*TRADE Highlights (Now part of Morgan Stanley)
Feature
Details
Trading Fees
$0 commissions on U.S. stocks & ETFs
Options Trading
Competitive pricing
Platforms
Power E*TRADE, web and mobile trading
Accounts
Brokerage, IRA, Roth IRA, Custodial
Tools
Screeners, technical analysis, market research
E*TRADE’s integration has strengthened Morgan Stanley’s retail brokerage arm, helping it compete with Schwab, Fidelity, and Vanguard in digital investing.
🏢 Key Financials (2025 Estimates)
Metric
Value
Market Cap
~$155 billion
Revenue
~$65 billion annually
Client Assets (Wealth)
~$4.9 trillion
Total Client Assets
~$6.5 trillion+
AUM (Investment Mgmt)
~$1.5 trillion
🌍 Global Presence
Offices in 41+ countries
Major hubs: New York, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Frankfurt
✅ Deep institutional expertise ✅ Strong advisory network (in-person and online) ✅ E*TRADE platform enhances retail reach ✅ Solid ESG investing via Calvert and Eaton Vance ✅ Diversified business model (banking + investing)
⚠️ Considerations
Fees for managed services may be higher than self-directed platforms (like Vanguard or Schwab)
Less known for low-cost index investing (vs. Vanguard/Fidelity)
🧾 Summary
Morgan Stanley is a global powerhouse in investment banking, wealth management, and online trading (via E*TRADE). It serves both institutions and individuals, with an expanding presence in ESG, digital investing, and retirement planning. Ideal for investors wanting high-touch services or a trusted advisory network.
