Citigroup Inc. (C) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)

A side-by-side comparison of Citigroup Inc. 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 returnC vs MS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
C +151.7%MS +3534.4%MS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$252$3,634
C MS

C vs MS: by the numbers

  • MS is the larger company ($333.74B vs $227.21B market cap).
  • C trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.37 vs 17.47 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • MS converts more revenue to profit (15.99% vs 11.59% net margin).
  • MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.41% vs 13.75% CAGR).
  • MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.86% vs 1.80%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCMS
P/E ratio14.3717.47
Forward P/E11.9216.68
P/S ratio1.502.70
P/B ratio1.092.99
PEG ratio0.810.60

Profitability

MetricCMS
Gross margin44.55%59.72%
Operating margin16.09%20.70%
Net margin11.59%15.99%
ROE8.40%17.70%
ROIC0.95%1.69%

Dividends

MetricCMS
Dividend yield1.80%1.86%
Payout ratio33.20%38.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)13.75%18.41%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.77%9.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)18.16%20.87%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, C or MS?
C has the lower trailing P/E: C trades at 14.37 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, C or MS?
Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — C at a 13.75% CAGR versus MS at 18.41%.
Does C or MS pay a bigger dividend?
C yields 1.80% and MS yields 1.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is C or MS more profitable?
MS runs the higher net margin — C at 11.59% versus MS at 15.99%.
How have C and MS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, C delivered 14.95% 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.