Bank of America Corporation (BAC) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
A side-by-side comparison of Bank of America Corporation and Morgan Stanley across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BAC
Bank of America Corporation
$62.69Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MS
Morgan Stanley
$214.38Financial ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — BAC vs MS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yBAC +398.1% (+17.4%/yr)MS +790.6% (+24.4%/yr)MS compounded faster over this window
BAC MS
BAC vs MS: by the numbers
- •BAC is the larger company ($444.89B vs $338.14B market cap).
- •BAC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.44 vs 17.46 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BAC converts more revenue to profit (17.24% vs 15.99% net margin).
- •MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.41% vs 16.84% CAGR).
- •MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.95% vs 1.85%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BAC | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.44 | 17.46 |
| Forward P/E | 13.52 | 16.62 |
| P/S ratio | 2.28 | 2.67 |
| P/B ratio | 1.48 | 3.06 |
Profitability
| Metric | BAC | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 59.32% | 59.72% |
| Operating margin | 22.47% | 20.70% |
| Net margin | 17.24% | 15.99% |
| ROE | 11.18% | 18.32% |
Dividends
| Metric | BAC | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.85% | 1.95% |
| Payout ratio | 26.73% | 33.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BAC | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.84% | 18.41% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.60% | 9.56% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.92% | 19.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BAC or MS?
- BAC has the lower trailing P/E: BAC trades at 14.44 and MS at 17.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BAC or MS?
- Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — BAC at a 16.84% CAGR versus MS at 18.41%.
- Does BAC or MS pay a bigger dividend?
- BAC yields 1.85% and MS yields 1.95% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BAC or MS more profitable?
- BAC runs the higher net margin — BAC at 17.24% versus MS at 15.99%.
- How have BAC and MS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, BAC delivered 17.38% and MS delivered 24.44% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Bank of America P/E ratioMorgan Stanley P/E ratioBank of America dividend yieldMorgan Stanley dividend yieldBank of America ROEMorgan Stanley ROEBank of America operating marginMorgan Stanley operating marginBank of America revenue growthMorgan Stanley revenue growth
Bank of America & Morgan Stanley appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 10, 2026.