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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnBAC vs MS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
BAC +541.5%MS +3534.4%MS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$641$3,634
BAC MS

BAC vs MS: by the numbers

  • BAC is the larger company ($444.39B vs $333.74B market cap).
  • BAC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.32 vs 17.47 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • BAC converts more revenue to profit (18.95% vs 15.99% net margin).
  • MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.41% vs 14.65% CAGR).
  • MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.86% vs 1.80%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBACMS
P/E ratio14.3217.47
Forward P/E13.4416.68
P/S ratio2.552.70
P/B ratio1.512.99
PEG ratio0.730.60

Profitability

MetricBACMS
Gross margin56.08%59.72%
Operating margin24.70%20.70%
Net margin18.95%15.99%
ROE11.18%17.70%
ROIC3.39%1.69%

Dividends

MetricBACMS
Dividend yield1.80%1.86%
Payout ratio28.87%38.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBACMS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.65%18.41%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.60%9.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)13.03%20.87%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BAC or MS?
BAC has the lower trailing P/E: BAC trades at 14.32 and MS at 17.47. 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 14.65% CAGR versus MS at 18.41%.
Does BAC or MS pay a bigger dividend?
BAC yields 1.80% and MS yields 1.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BAC or MS more profitable?
BAC runs the higher net margin — BAC at 18.95% versus MS at 15.99%.
How have BAC and MS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, BAC delivered 18.14% and MS delivered 25.41% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 July 28, 2026.