Morgan Stanley Third Quarter 2023 Earnings Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Morgan Stanley reports net revenues of $13.3 billion, EPS of $1.38, and ROTCE of 13.5% for Q3 2023.

Positive

• Morgan Stanley delivered solid results with an ROTCE of 13.5%.
• Equity and Fixed Income businesses navigated markets well.
• Wealth and Investment Management produced higher revenues and profits year-over-year.
• Completed integration of E*TRADE, building revenue synergies and attracting clients.
• Strong capital position and leading client franchises position the company for continued growth and strong shareholder returns.

Negative

• None.

Morgan Stanley Reports Net Revenues of $13.3 Billion, EPS of $1.38 and ROTCE of 13.5%

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today reported net revenues of $13.3 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 compared to $13.0 billion a year ago. Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley was $2.4 billion, or $1.38 per diluted share,¹ compared to net income of $2.6 billion, or $1.47 per diluted share,¹ for the same period a year ago.

James P. Gorman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “While the market environment remained mixed this quarter, the Firm delivered solid results with an ROTCE of 13.5%. Our Equity and Fixed Income businesses navigated markets well, and both Wealth and Investment Management produced higher revenues and profits year-over-year. We completed the integration of E*TRADE in the quarter, further executing on our strategy of building revenue synergies across channels and attracting clients to our best-in-class advice offering. Our ability to gather assets, together with our strong capital position and leading client franchises, position us to deliver continued growth and strong shareholder returns going forward.”

Financial Summary2,3						Highlights
Firm ($ millions, except per share data)		3Q 2023		3Q 2022
						The Firm reported net revenues of $13.3 billion and net income of $2.4 billion. The Firm delivered ROTCE of 13.5%.4 The Firm expense efficiency ratio year-to-date was 75%.5 The quarter included integration-related expenses of $68 million. Standardized Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.5%. 15 Institutional Securities net revenues of $5.7 billion reflect solid results in Equity and Fixed Income and muted completed activity in Investment Banking. Wealth Management delivered a pre-tax margin of 26.7%.6 Net revenues were $6.4 billion, reflecting increased asset management revenues on higher average asset levels compared to a year ago. The quarter included continued strong positive fee-based flows of $22.5 billion. 9 Investment Management net revenues of $1.3 billion increased compared to a year ago on higher asset management revenues and AUM of $1.4 trillion. 11
Net revenues		$13,273		$12,986
Provision for credit losses		$134		$35
Compensation expense		$5,935		$5,614
Non-compensation expenses		$4,059		$3,949
Pre-tax income7		$3,145		$3,388
Net income app. to MS		$2,408		$2,632
Expense efficiency ratio5		75%		74%
Earnings per diluted share1		$1.38		$1.47
Book value per share		$55.08		$54.46
Tangible book value per share		$40.53		$39.93
Return on equity		10.0%		10.7%
Return on tangible equity4		13.5%		14.6%
Institutional Securities
Net revenues		$5,669		$5,817
Investment Banking		$938		$1,277
Equity		$2,507		$2,459
Fixed Income		$1,947		$2,181
Wealth Management
Net revenues		$6,404		$6,120
Fee-based client assets ($ billions)8		$1,857		$1,628
Fee-based asset flows ($ billions)9		$22.5		$16.7
Net new assets ($ billions)10		$35.7		$64.8
U.S. Bank loans ($ billions)		$145.8		$145.7
Investment Management
Net revenues		$1,336		$1,168
AUM ($ billions)11		$1,388		$1,279
Long-term net flows ($ billions)12		$(6.8)		$(1.9)

Institutional Securities

Institutional Securities reported net revenues for the current quarter of $5.7 billion compared to $5.8 billion a year ago. Pre-tax income was $1.2 billion compared to $1.6 billion a year ago.⁷

Investment Banking revenues down 27% compared to a year ago:   Advisory revenues decreased driven by fewer completed M&A transactions. Equity underwriting revenues increased primarily driven by higher block offerings, partially offset by lower revenues from IPOs. Fixed income underwriting revenues decreased primarily driven by lower event-driven non-investment grade activity.   Equity net revenues up 2% compared to a year ago:   Equity net revenues reflected solid results across businesses. Mark-to-market gains on business-related investments compared to losses a year ago were offset by prime brokerage due to changes in the mix of client balances.   Fixed Income net revenues down 11% compared to a year ago:   Fixed Income net revenues decreased as lower client activity and less favorable market conditions drove declines in rates and foreign exchange. These declines were partially offset by constructive trading environments in commodities, as well as agency and non-agency trading.   Other:   Other revenues increased primarily driven by lower mark-to-market losses on corporate loans, net of loan hedges, and higher net interest income and fees from corporate loans.		($ millions)		3Q 2023		3Q 2022
		Net Revenues		$5,669		$5,817
		Investment Banking		$938		$1,277
		Advisory		$449		$693
		Equity underwriting		$237		$218
		Fixed income underwriting		$252		$366
		Equity		$2,507		$2,459
		Fixed Income		$1,947		$2,181
		Other		$277		$(100)
		Provision for credit losses		$93		$24
		Total Expenses		$4,377		$4,167
		Compensation		$2,057		$1,948
		Non-compensation		$2,320		$2,219

Provision for credit losses:

• Provision for credit losses increased primarily driven by deteriorating conditions in the commercial real estate sector, including provisions for certain specific loans.

Total Expenses:

• Compensation expenses increased on higher discretionary compensation, partially offset by lower expenses related to outstanding deferred equity compensation.

• Non-compensation expenses increased primarily driven by higher execution-related, technology and professional services expenses.

Wealth Management

Wealth Management reported net revenues for the current quarter of $6.4 billion compared to $6.1 billion a year ago. Pre-tax income of $1.7 billion⁷ in the current quarter resulted in a reported pre-tax margin of 26.7%.⁶

Net revenues increased 5% compared to a year ago:   Asset management revenues increased 7% compared to a year ago reflecting higher average asset levels and the impact of cumulative positive fee-based asset flows. Transactional revenues13 increased 7% excluding the impact of mark-to-market gains on investments associated with certain employee deferred compensation plans. The increase primarily reflects higher activity associated with alternative products compared to a year ago. Net interest income decreased 3% driven by changes in deposit mix, partially offset by higher interest rates.   Provision for credit losses:   Provision for credit losses increased primarily driven by provisions for certain specific commercial real estate loans.		($ millions)		3Q 2023		3Q 2022
		Net Revenues		$6,404		$6,120
		Asset management		$3,629		$3,389
		Transactional 13		$678		$616
		Net interest income		$1,952		$2,004
		Other		$145		$111
		Provision for credit losses		$41		$11
		Total Expenses		$4,654		$4,460
		Compensation		$3,352		$3,171
		Non-compensation		$1,302		$1,289

Total Expenses:

• Compensation expense increased driven by higher compensable revenues and expenses related to certain deferred compensation plans linked to investment performance.

Investment Management

Investment Management reported net revenues of $1.3 billion, up 14% compared to a year ago. Pre-tax income was $241 million compared to $116 million a year ago.⁷

Net revenues increased 14% compared to a year ago:   Asset management and related fees increased on higher average AUM driven by increased asset values. Performance-based income and other revenues increased due to higher carried interest and mark-to-market gains in certain of our private funds compared to losses a year ago.		($ millions)		3Q 2023		3Q 2022
		Net Revenues		$1,336		$1,168
		Asset management and related fees		$1,312		$1,269
		Performance-based income and other		$24		$(101)
		Total Expenses		$1,095		$1,052
		Compensation		$526		$495
		Non-compensation		$569		$557

Total Expenses:

• Compensation expense increased primarily driven by higher compensation associated with carried interest.

Other Matters

The Firm repurchased $1.5 billion of its outstanding common stock during the quarter as part of its Share Repurchase Program. The Board of Directors declared a $0.85 quarterly dividend per share, payable on November 15, 2023 to common shareholders of record on October 31, 2023. Standardized Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.5%, approximately 260 basis points above the aggregate standardized approach CET1 requirement that took effect as of October 1, 2023.				3Q 2023		3Q 2022
		Capital14
		Standardized Approach
		CET1 capital15		15.5%		14.8%
		Tier 1 capital15		17.5%		16.7%
		Advanced Approach
		CET1 capital15		16.1%		15.2%
		Tier 1 capital15		18.1%		17.1%
		Leverage-based capital
		Tier 1 leverage16		6.7%		6.6%
		SLR17		5.5%		5.4%
		Common Stock Repurchases
		Repurchases ($ millions)		$1,500		$2,555
		Number of Shares (millions)		17		30
		Average Price		$87.59		$85.79
		Period End Shares (millions)		1,642		1,694
		Effective Tax Rate		22.6%		21.4%

Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

A financial summary follows. Financial, statistical and business-related information, as well as information regarding business and segment trends, is included in the financial supplement. Both the earnings release and the financial supplement are available online in the Investor Relations section at www.morganstanley.com.

NOTICE:

The information provided herein and in the financial supplement, including information provided on the Firm’s earnings conference calls, may include certain non-GAAP financial measures. The definition of such measures or reconciliation of such measures to the comparable U.S. GAAP figures are included in this earnings release and the financial supplement, both of which are available on www.morganstanley.com.

This earnings release may contain forward-looking statements, including the attainment of certain financial and other targets, objectives and goals. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made, which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations, assumptions, interpretations or beliefs and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the future results of the Firm, please see “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Part I, Item 1, “Competition” and “Supervision and Regulation” in Part I, Item 1, “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Risk” in Part II, Item 7A in the Firm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and other items throughout the Form 10-K, the Firm’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Firm’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, including any amendments thereto.

¹ Includes preferred dividends related to the calculation of earnings per share of $146 million and $138 million for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

² The Firm prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). From time to time, Morgan Stanley may disclose certain “non-GAAP financial measures” in the course of its earnings releases, earnings conference calls, financial presentations and otherwise. The Securities and Exchange Commission defines a “non-GAAP financial measure” as a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that is subject to adjustments that effectively exclude, or include amounts from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by Morgan Stanley are provided as additional information to analysts, investors and other stakeholders in order to provide them with greater transparency about, or an alternative method for assessing our financial condition, operating results, or capital adequacy. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for U.S. GAAP, and may be different from or inconsistent with non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Whenever we refer to a non-GAAP financial measure, we will also generally define it or present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, along with a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure we reference and such comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

³ Our earnings releases, earnings conference calls, financial presentations and other communications may also include certain metrics which we believe to be useful to us, analysts, investors, and other stakeholders by providing further transparency about, or an additional means of assessing, our financial condition and operating results.

⁴ Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Firm considers useful for analysts, investors and other stakeholders to allow comparability of period-to-period operating performance and capital adequacy. The calculation of return on average tangible common equity represents full year or annualized net income applicable to Morgan Stanley less preferred dividends as a percentage of average tangible common equity. Tangible common equity, also a non-GAAP financial measure, represents common equity less goodwill and intangible assets net of allowable mortgage servicing rights deduction.

⁵ The Firm expense efficiency ratio represents total non-interest expenses as a percentage of net revenues. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, Firm results include pre-tax integration-related expenses of $68 million, of which $43 million is reported in the Wealth Management business segment and $25 million is reported in the Investment Management business segment.

⁶ Pre-tax margin represents income before provision for income taxes divided by net revenues.

⁷ Pre-tax income represents income before provision for income taxes.

⁸ Wealth Management fee-based client assets represent the amount of assets in client accounts where the basis of payment for services is a fee calculated on those assets.

⁹ Wealth Management fee-based asset flows include net new fee-based assets (including asset acquisitions), net account transfers, dividends, interest, and client fees, and exclude institutional cash management-related activity.

¹⁰ Wealth Management net new assets represent client inflows, including dividends and interest, and asset acquisitions, less client outflows, and exclude activity from business combinations/divestitures and the impact of fees and commissions.

¹¹ AUM is defined as assets under management.

¹² Long-term net flows include the Equity, Fixed Income and Alternative and Solutions asset classes and excludes the Liquidity and Overlay Services asset class.

¹³ Transactional revenues include investment banking, trading, and commissions and fee revenues.

¹⁴ Capital ratios are estimates as of the press release date, October 18, 2023.

¹⁵ CET1 capital is defined as Common Equity Tier 1 capital. The Firm’s risk-based capital ratios are computed under each of the (i) standardized approaches for calculating credit risk and market risk risk‐weighted assets (RWAs) (the “Standardized Approach”) and (ii) applicable advanced approaches for calculating credit risk, market risk and operational risk RWAs (the “Advanced Approach”). For information on the calculation of regulatory capital and ratios, and associated regulatory requirements, please refer to "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Regulatory Requirements" in the Firm’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (2022 Form 10-K).

¹⁶ The Tier 1 leverage ratio is a leverage-based capital requirement that measures the Firm’s leverage. Tier 1 leverage ratio utilizes Tier 1 capital as the numerator and average adjusted assets as the denominator.

¹⁷ The Firm’s supplementary leverage ratio (SLR) utilizes a Tier 1 capital numerator of approximately $77.7 billion and $76.4 billion, and supplementary leverage exposure denominator of approximately $1.42 trillion and $1.41 trillion, for the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Morgan Stanley
Consolidated Income Statement Information
(unaudited, dollars in millions)
			Quarter Ended										Percentage Change From:						Nine Months Ended							Percentage
			Sep 30, 2023			Jun 30, 2023			Sep 30, 2022				Jun 30, 2023			Sep 30, 2022			Sep 30, 2023			Sep 30, 2022				Change
Revenues:
Investment banking			$	1,048		$	1,155		$	1,373			(9	%)		(24	%)		$	3,533		$	4,281			(17	%)
Trading				3,679			3,802			3,331			(3	%)		10	%			11,958			10,911			10	%
Investments				144			95			(168	)		52	%		*				384			(70	)		*
Commissions and fees				1,098			1,090			1,133			1	%		(3	%)			3,427			3,769			(9	%)
Asset management				5,031			4,817			4,744			4	%		6	%			14,576			14,775			(1	%)
Other				296			488			63			(39	%)		*				1,036			245			*
Total non-interest revenues				11,296			11,447			10,476			(1	%)		8	%			34,914			33,911			3	%
Interest income				13,305			12,048			6,101			10	%		118	%			36,223			12,363			193	%
Interest expense				11,328			10,038			3,591			13	%		*				29,890			5,355			*
Net interest				1,977			2,010			2,510			(2	%)		(21	%)			6,333			7,008			(10	%)
Net revenues				13,273			13,457			12,986			(1	%)		2	%			41,247			40,919			1	%
Provision for credit losses				134			161			35			(17	%)		*				529			193			174	%
Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits				5,935			6,262			5,614			(5	%)		6	%			18,607			17,438			7	%
Non-compensation expenses:
Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees				855			875			847			(2	%)		1	%			2,611			2,607			--
Information processing and communications				947			926			874			2	%		8	%			2,788			2,560			9	%
Professional services				759			767			755			(1	%)		1	%			2,236			2,217			1	%
Occupancy and equipment				456			471			429			(3	%)		6	%			1,367			1,286			6	%
Marketing and business development				191			236			215			(19	%)		(11	%)			674			610			10	%
Other				851			947			829			(10	%)		3	%			2,718			2,713			--
Total non-compensation expenses				4,059			4,222			3,949			(4	%)		3	%			12,394			11,993			3	%
Total non-interest expenses				9,994			10,484			9,563			(5	%)		5	%			31,001			29,431			5	%
Income before provision for income taxes				3,145			2,812			3,388			12	%		(7	%)			9,717			11,295			(14	%)
Provision for income taxes				710			591			726			20	%		(2	%)			2,028			2,382			(15	%)
Net income			$	2,435		$	2,221		$	2,662			10	%		(9	%)		$	7,689		$	8,913			(14	%)
Net income applicable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests				27			39			30			(31	%)		(10	%)			119			120			(1	%)
Net income applicable to Morgan Stanley				2,408			2,182			2,632			10	%		(9	%)			7,570			8,793			(14	%)
Preferred stock dividend				146			133			138			10	%		6	%			423			366			16	%
Earnings applicable to Morgan Stanley common shareholders			$	2,262		$	2,049		$	2,494			10	%		(9	%)		$	7,147		$	8,427			(15	%)
Notes:
-	Firm net revenues excluding mark-to-market gains and losses on deferred cash-based compensation plans (DCP) were: 3Q23: $13,475 million, 2Q23: $13,343 million, 3Q22: $13,222 million, 3Q23 YTD: $41,182 million, 3Q22 YTD: $42,311 million.
-	Firm compensation expenses excluding DCP were: 3Q23: $5,992 million, 2Q23: $6,084 million, 3Q22: $5,733 million, 3Q23 YTD: $18,293 million, 3Q22 YTD: $18,343 million.
-	The End Notes are an integral part of this presentation. Refer to pages 12 - 17 of the Financial Supplement for Definition of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures, Definition of Performance Metrics and Terms, Supplemental Quantitative Details and Calculations, and Legal Notice.

Morgan Stanley
Consolidated Financial Metrics, Ratios and Statistical Data
(unaudited)
		Quarter Ended												Percentage Change From:						Nine Months Ended								Percentage
		Sep 30, 2023				Jun 30, 2023				Sep 30, 2022				Jun 30, 2023			Sep 30, 2022			Sep 30, 2023				Sep 30, 2022				Change
Financial Metrics:
Earnings per basic share		$	1.39			$	1.25			$	1.49			11	%		(7	%)		$	4.37			$	4.95			(12	%)
Earnings per diluted share		$	1.38			$	1.24			$	1.47			11	%		(6	%)		$	4.33			$	4.88			(11	%)
Return on average common equity			10.0	%			8.9	%			10.7	%									10.5	%			11.9	%
Return on average tangible common equity			13.5	%			12.1	%			14.6	%									14.2	%			16.1	%
Book value per common share		$	55.08			$	55.24			$	54.46									$	55.08			$	54.46
Tangible book value per common share		$	40.53			$	40.79			$	39.93									$	40.53			$	39.93
Financial Ratios:
Pre-tax profit margin			24	%			21	%			26	%									24	%			28	%
Compensation and benefits as a % of net revenues			45	%			47	%			43	%									45	%			43	%
Non-compensation expenses as a % of net revenues			31	%			31	%			30	%									30	%			29	%
Firm expense efficiency ratio			75	%			78	%			74	%									75	%			72	%
Effective tax rate			22.6	%			21.0	%			21.4	%									20.9	%			21.1	%
Statistical Data:
Period end common shares outstanding (millions)			1,642				1,659				1,694			(1	%)		(3	%)
Average common shares outstanding (millions)
Basic			1,624				1,635				1,674			(1	%)		(3	%)			1,635				1,704			(4	%)
Diluted			1,643				1,651				1,697			--			(3	%)			1,653				1,725			(4	%)
Worldwide employees			80,710				82,006				81,567			(2	%)		(1	%)
The End Notes are an integral part of this presentation. Refer to pages 12 - 17 of the Financial Supplement for Definition of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures, Definition of Performance Metrics and Terms, Supplemental Quantitative Details and Calculations, and Legal Notice.

 

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Media Relations: Wesley McDade 212-761-2430

Investor Relations: Leslie Bazos 212-761-5352

Source: Morgan Stanley

FAQ

What were Morgan Stanley's net revenues for Q3 2023?

Morgan Stanley reported net revenues of $13.3 billion for Q3 2023.

What was Morgan Stanley's EPS for Q3 2023?

Morgan Stanley's EPS for Q3 2023 was $1.38.

What was Morgan Stanley's ROTCE for Q3 2023?

Morgan Stanley achieved an ROTCE of 13.5% for Q3 2023.

How did Morgan Stanley's Equity and Fixed Income businesses perform in Q3 2023?

Morgan Stanley's Equity and Fixed Income businesses navigated markets well in Q3 2023.

Did Morgan Stanley's Wealth and Investment Management businesses see growth in Q3 2023?

Yes, Morgan Stanley's Wealth and Investment Management businesses produced higher revenues and profits year-over-year in Q3 2023.

What did Morgan Stanley achieve with the integration of E*TRADE?

Morgan Stanley completed the integration of E*TRADE, building revenue synergies across channels and attracting clients.

What positions Morgan Stanley for continued growth and strong shareholder returns?

Morgan Stanley's strong capital position and leading client franchises position the company for continued growth and strong shareholder returns.