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 30y
C +33.6%MS +1582.7%MS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$134$1,683
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 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueC(lower P/E)
GrowthMS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMS(higher dividend yield)
QualityMS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCMS
P/E ratio17.3319.46
Forward P/E11.1918.00
P/S ratio1.452.84
P/B ratio1.182.98
PEG ratio0.750.58
EV / EBITDA40.3822.11

Profitability

MetricCMS
Gross margin45.48%57.99%
Operating margin12.79%19.48%
Net margin9.34%15.13%
ROE7.58%15.91%
ROIC0.95%1.69%

Dividends

MetricCMS
Dividend yield1.72%1.87%
Payout ratio33.20%38.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCMS
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.

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.