Morgan Stanley - MS STOCK NEWS

Parametric Portfolio Associates has launched Parametric Tax Harvest Core, a new tax-managed separately managed account (SMA) solution aimed at U.S. taxable investors with portfolios of $100,000 or more. This offering seeks to expand access to tax-managed investments, providing ongoing tax management and sector-level customization across two strategies benchmarked to S&P 500 and Russell 3000. The initiative is designed to enhance after-tax returns through systematic tax-loss harvesting, catering to financial advisors and their clients.

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP) has acquired a controlling interest in Alliance Technical Group from Align Capital Partners. MSCP will work alongside CEO Chris LeMay and the management team. Alliance, headquartered in Decatur, AL, specializes in regulatory-driven air quality testing in North America, having completed 13 acquisitions since 2015. Eric Kanter of MSCP highlighted Alliance’s strong organic growth and customer-focused culture as key strengths. This investment aligns with MSCP's strategy in target subsectors and will support Alliance’s expansion through organic growth and additional acquisitions.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) reported net revenues of $14.8 billion for Q2 2021, up from $13.7 billion a year ago. Net income was $3.5 billion, or $1.85 per diluted share, compared to $3.2 billion, or $1.96 per diluted share in Q2 2020. The firm announced a 100% dividend increase to $0.70 per share and a $12 billion share repurchase program. The expense efficiency ratio stood at 69%

with a ROTCE of 18.6%. Key segments like Institutional Securities generated over $7 billion in revenues, while Wealth Management saw a pre-tax margin of 26.8%.

Morgan Stanley has awarded $21.7 million in funding to the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) to bolster human capital and support Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). This funding aims to increase lending capacity for CDFIs, particularly benefitting Black, Latinx, Native, and rural communities. Grants will range from $100,000 to $250,000 for eligible CDFIs with assets under $25 million. Morgan Stanley’s commitment aligns with their goal of addressing economic recovery and supporting under-resourced communities through initiatives like the Finance Justice Fund.

Morgan Stanley Private Credit and Onex Falcon completed their investment in CSS Corp, a global customer experience and technology services provider. This includes mezzanine financing and equity participation, allowing CSS Corp to pursue industry-leading growth and expand its capabilities. Morgan Stanley's Executive Director emphasized the strong confidence in CSS Corp's service offerings, while the newly appointed CEO, Sunil Mittal, expressed excitement for future innovations. The investment follows Capital Square Partners acquiring a controlling stake in CSS Corp earlier this year, further solidifying its industry position.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) will increase its quarterly common stock dividend to $0.70 per share from $0.35, starting in Q3 2021. The firm also announced a new $12 billion share repurchase authorization through June 30, 2022. CEO James P. Gorman noted that the dividend hike reflects the company’s strong capital position and earnings stability from its Wealth and Investment Management segments. Following upcoming regulations, Morgan Stanley will have a Stress Capital Buffer of 5.7% and a CET1 ratio of 13.2% as of October 1, 2021.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management has launched the Next Level Fund, targeting early-stage technology companies with diverse founding teams. This initiative, supported by partners such as Hearst, Microsoft, and Walmart, aims to enhance visibility and access to capital for multicultural and women entrepreneurs. The Fund builds on the resources of the Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab and aims to expand partnerships with like-minded organizations. With over $1.4 trillion in assets under management, Morgan Stanley continues to focus on impactful investment opportunities.

Morgan Stanley Foundation announced a donation of $2.12 million to Feeding America, including a $1.94 million grant to 28 food banks across the U.S. The funding allows these banks to implement a choice model for food distribution, catering to family preferences while adhering to safety protocols due to COVID-19. With approximately 42 million people, including 13 million children, projected to face hunger this year, the initiative aims to improve access to healthier food options. Over the past decade, Morgan Stanley has donated over $38 million to the Feeding America network.

Morgan Stanley has declared dividends on several preferred stock issues, with amounts varying by series. Key declarations include:

• Series A: $252.78 per share
• Series C: $25.00 per share
• Series E: $445.31 per share
• Series F: $429.69 per share
• Series H: $239.74 per share
• Series I: $398.44 per share
• Series K: $365.63 per share
• Series L: $304.69 per share

All dividends are payable on July 15, 2021, to shareholders of record by June 30, 2021. This move reflects Morgan Stanley's commitment to returning income to shareholders.