MS-PLMEDIUM SIGNALFINANCIAL10-Q

Morgan Stanley reported improved profitability with ROE rising to 18.0% from 13.9% and operating cash flow substantially improving from negative $24.0B to negative $7.1B.

The firm's enhanced profitability metrics and meaningfully improved operating cash flow position suggest stronger operational performance in the third quarter. The expense efficiency ratio improvement from 71% to 67% indicates better cost management, while net income growth of 20.8% reflects solid execution across business lines.

Comparing 2025-11-03 vs 2025-08-04View on EDGAR →
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Morgan Stanley's financial position strengthened notably with net income growing 20.8% to $5.6B and operating cash flow improving substantially from -$24.0B to -$7.1B. The balance sheet expanded with total assets growing 11.3% to $1.6T and cash & equivalents increasing 19.5% to $133.5B. Share buybacks grew 67.2% to $306M, reflecting management's confidence in the firm's capital position and earnings trajectory.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT CHANGES
Operating Cash Flow
Cash Flow
+70.4%
-$24.0B→-$7.1B

Operating cash flow surged 70.4% — exceptional cash generation, highest quality earnings signal.

Share Buybacks
Cash Flow
+67.2%
$183.0M→$306.0M

Share repurchases increased 67.2% — management returning capital, signals confidence in intrinsic value.

Net Income
P&L
+20.8%
$4.6B→$5.6B

Net income grew 20.8% — bottom-line growth signals improving overall business health.

Cash & Equivalents
Balance Sheet
+19.5%
$111.7B→$133.5B

Cash grew 19.5% — improving liquidity position supports investment and shareholder returns.

Total Liabilities
Balance Sheet
+12.1%
$1.3T→$1.5T

Liabilities increased 12.1% — monitor debt-to-equity ratio and interest coverage.

Total Assets
Balance Sheet
+11.3%
$1.4T→$1.6T

Asset base grew 11.3% — expansion through organic growth, acquisitions, or capital deployment.

LANGUAGE CHANGES
NEW — 2025-11-03
PRIOR — 2025-08-04
ADDED
The Firm delivered ROE of 18.0% and ROTCE of 23.5% (see Selected Non-GAAP Financial Information herein).
The Firm s expense efficiency ratio was 67% for the third quarter and 69% for the year-to-date.
At September 30, 2025, the Firm s Standardized Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.1%, and its Supplementary Leverage Ratio was 5.5%.
Institutional Securities reported net revenues of $8.5 billion reflecting strong performance in Equity on higher client activity and a rebound in Investment Banking .
Net revenues of $8.2 billion reflect higher Asset management and Transactional revenues and higher Net interest income.
The business added net new assets of $81 billion and f ee- based asset flows were $42 billion.
Investment Management results reflect net revenues of $1.7 billion, primarily driven by asset management fees on higher average AUM.
Net Revenues ($ in millions) Net Income Applicable to Morgan Stanley ($ in millions) Earnings per Diluted Common Share We reported net revenues of $18.2 billion in the quarter ended September 30, 2025 ( current quarter, or 3Q 2025 ), which increased by 18% compared with $15.4 billion in the quarter ended September 30, 2024 ( prior year quarter, or 3Q 2024 ).
Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley was $4.6 billion in the current quarter, which increased by 45% compared with $3.2 billion in the prior year quarter.
Diluted earnings per common share was $2.80 in the current quarter, which increased by 49% compared with $1.88 in the prior year quarter.
REMOVED
The Firm delivered ROE of 13.9% and ROTCE of 18.2% (see Selected Non-GAAP Financial Information herein).
The Firm s expense efficiency ratio was 71% for the second quarter and 70% for the year-to-date reflecting continued discipline in controllable spend, benefits from prior occupancy exits, and productivity gains through technology, partially offset by higher execution-related expenses.
At June 30, 2025, the Firm s Standardized Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.0%.
Institutional Securities reported net revenues of $7.6 billion reflecting strong performance in our Markets business on higher client activity primarily in Equity.
Net revenues of $7.8 billion reflect higher Asset management revenues and higher Transactional revenues driven by increased client activity and the positive impact of investments associated with certain employee deferred cash-based compensation plans linked to investment performance ( DCP investments ) of $294 million.
The business added net new assets of $59 billion and f ee- based asset flows were $43 billion.
Investment Management results reflect net revenues of $1.6 billion, primarily driven by asset management fees on higher average AUM and the cumulative impact of positive long-term net flows.
Net Revenues ($ in millions) Net Income Applicable to Morgan Stanley ($ in millions) Earnings per Diluted Common Share We reported net revenues of $16.8 billion in the quarter ended June 30, 2025 ( current quarter, or 2Q 2025 ), which increased by 12% compared with $15.0 billion in the quarter ended June 30, 2024 ( prior year quarter, or 2Q 2024 ).
Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley was $3.5 billion in the current quarter, which increased by 15% compared with $3.1 billion in the prior year quarter.
Diluted earnings per common share was $2.13 in the current quarter, which increased by 17% compared with $1.82 in the prior year quarter.
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