Citigroup Inc. (C) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
MS leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics, though C is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Citigroup Inc. and Morgan Stanley across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — C vs MS
growth of $100 · last 30yC +33.6%MS +1582.7%MS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
C MS
C vs MS: by the numbers
- •MS is the larger company ($337.60B vs $238.49B market cap).
- •C trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.33 vs 19.46 P/E).
- •MS converts more revenue to profit (15.13% vs 9.34% net margin).
- •MS grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.47% vs 15.26% CAGR).
- •MS pays the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 1.72%).
Which is better, C or MS?
Metric tally: C 4 · MS 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueC(lower P/E)
GrowthMS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMS(higher dividend yield)
QualityMS(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | C | MS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.33● | 19.46 |
| Forward P/E | 11.19● | 18.00 |
| P/S ratio | 1.45● | 2.84 |
| P/B ratio | 1.18● | 2.98 |
| PEG ratio | 0.75 | 0.58● |
| EV / EBITDA | 40.38 | 22.11● |
Profitability
| Metric | C | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.48% | 57.99%● |
| Operating margin | 12.79% | 19.48%● |
| Net margin | 9.34% | 15.13%● |
| ROE | 7.58% | 15.91%● |
| ROIC | 0.95% | 1.69%● |
Dividends
| Metric | C | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.72% | 1.87%● |
| Payout ratio | 33.20% | 38.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | C | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.26% | 17.47%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.77% | 9.56%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.16% | 28.69%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 16.79% | 22.22%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, C or MS?
- It depends on your goal. value: C (lower P/E); growth: MS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MS (higher dividend yield); quality: MS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MS leads 12 to 4.
- Is C or MS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, C is cheaper: C trades at a 17.33 P/E and MS at 19.46.
- Which has grown faster, C or MS?
- Over the past five years, MS grew revenue faster — C at a 15.26% CAGR versus MS at 17.47%.
- Does C or MS pay a bigger dividend?
- C yields 1.72% and MS yields 1.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is C or MS more profitable?
- MS runs the higher net margin — C at 9.34% versus MS at 15.13%.
- Which has been the better investment, C or MS?
- Over the past 10-year, MS delivered the higher annualized total return — C at 15.70% versus MS at 27.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Citigroup P/E ratioMorgan Stanley P/E ratioCitigroup dividend yieldMorgan Stanley dividend yieldCitigroup ROEMorgan Stanley ROECitigroup operating marginMorgan Stanley operating marginCitigroup revenue growthMorgan Stanley revenue growthCitigroup free cash flowMorgan Stanley free cash flow
Citigroup & 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 June 13, 2026.