Morgan StanleyMSCOMMENTOct 13, 2023Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Oct 23, 2026. Market Open.
After reporting, shares fell 1.8% and down 2.8% today. They just reported: revenues beat, investment and trading were up 18%, also beating, equities were strong, though fixed income missed. Wealth management grew 10% and beat, and investment beat though fell 12%. Problem is, investors are worried about inflation.
Mergers are increasing, and banks like MS makes advisory fees from them. Also, the banks have been rallying since oil slumped, and will benefit further from rising interest rates, which appears will happen later this year. Plus, hyperscalers may need to keep borrowing money to keep competing with each other.
He had sold the banks (MS, BAC, but is long JPM) to buy QQQs, and he stands by that rotation. If any banks decline, it would be the regional ones, which he's avoided since the spring crisis. His outlook on the banks is limited upside, given regulations restricting hoarding capital on the balance sheet, which will impede loan growth. Plus, the economy will start of contract. MS and BAC are good companies, but he'd rather buy the debt of these stocks, because their balance sheets will be fortified.