Morgan Stanley - MS STOCK NEWS

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has declared regular dividends on its various preferred stock issues. The dividends range from $25.00 to $2,214.54 per share, with equivalent Depositary Share amounts varying from $0.265625 to $22.145431. Payment dates are set for September 16, 2024 for Series M and N, and October 15, 2024 for Series A, C, E, F, I, K, L, O, P, and Q. The record dates are August 30, 2024, and September 30, 2024, respectively. This declaration demonstrates Morgan Stanley's commitment to providing consistent returns to its preferred stockholders across multiple series of preferred stock.

Morgan Stanley's Co-President Dan Simkowitz is set to speak at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on September 10, 2024, at 11:15 a.m. (ET). The event will be accessible via webcast, with both live and on-demand versions available on the company's website.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a prominent global financial services firm offering a wide array of services, including investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management. With a presence in 42 countries, the firm caters to a diverse clientele, ranging from corporations and governments to institutions and individuals.

For those interested in more information about Morgan Stanley or the upcoming conference, the company's website and Investor Relations section serve as valuable resources.

Calvert Research and Management announced a $25,000 contribution from Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (MSIM) to America Needs You (ANY), an organization supporting first-generation college students. This donation is part of MSIM's annual commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, linked to the Calvert US Large-Cap Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Index ETF (NYSE Arca: CDEI).

CDEI aims to track the Calvert US Large-Cap Diversity Research Index, focusing on companies aligned with the Calvert Principles for Responsible Investing. The ETF is one of six Calvert-branded ETFs on MSIM's platform launched in 2023. ANY has a proven track record of success, with over 90% of Fellows completing internships and graduating, and nearly 80% securing competitive full-time jobs within six months of graduation.

Morgan Stanley at Work has launched a new pre-login digital website experience for benefits participants, focusing on benefits education. The site aims to improve accessibility and understanding of employer-provided resources. Key features include:

1. Onboarding resources for new participants
2. Pre- and post-login support
3. A comprehensive Learning Center
4. A unified entry point to Morgan Stanley at Work's ecosystem of solutions

This launch follows Morgan Stanley's back-office integration of Solium and E*TRADE Corporate Services. Morgan Stanley at Work now serves over 24,000 corporate clients and ~12M workplace participants, representing $450 billion in unvested stock plan assets under management.

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP) has acquired American Restoration, a leading provider of residential and commercial property mitigation and restoration services. The company, headquartered in Dallas, operates across 10 states through eight regional brands. MSCP is partnering with the current management team, led by CEO Dan Tarantin, who will continue to lead the business.

American Restoration offers emergency and loss-related mitigation services, as well as complementary repair and rebuild services. The acquisition represents MSCP's fifth investment in the residential and commercial services sector, following partnerships with other companies in the industry. MSCP aims to leverage its expertise to accelerate American Restoration's growth trajectory through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.

Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital has acquired a stake in UK-based payments fintech Sokin, marking a significant milestone for the company. This strategic investment is expected to accelerate Sokin's product growth plans and global expansion. Additional investors include Gary Marino, former CCO at PayPal who will join the Board, Mark Britto, former CPO at PayPal, and Aurum Partners, the investment fund affiliated with the San Francisco 49ers owners.

Sokin, founded in 2019, enables global businesses to transfer, hold, and exchange over 100 currencies through a comprehensive platform. The company currently facilitates more than $2.5 billion in transactional volume annually, with rapid growth anticipated. This investment is expected to provide Sokin with significant capital and resources to further its innovative approach to international payments.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management's quarterly investor pulse survey reveals mixed sentiment in Q2 2024. Despite record market highs, investor bullishness remains steady at 61%, up slightly from 60% last quarter. Inflation continues to be the top concern (54%), followed by the 2024 election (34%).

Investors are skeptical about rate cuts, with only 48% believing the economy is healthy enough for the Fed to cut rates this quarter, down from 51% previously. However, 54% expect rate cuts in the second half of 2024. Over half (59%) predict the market will rise by the end of Q3.

Sector opportunities for Q3 2024 include: IT, with continued interest in mega-cap tech and AI; Energy, gaining interest as oil prices trend higher; and Health care, seen as a defensive option amid uncertainty, though interest dipped slightly from the previous quarter.

Morgan Stanley (MS) reported strong Q2 2024 results, with net revenues of $15.0 billion, up from $13.5 billion a year ago. Net income rose to $3.1 billion, or $1.82 per diluted share, compared to $2.2 billion, or $1.24 per share, in Q2 2023. The firm delivered a Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) of 17.5%.

Key highlights include:

• Total client assets grew to $7.2 trillion
• Quarterly common stock dividend increased to $0.925 per share
• CET1 ratio maintained at 15.2%
• Expense efficiency ratio improved to 72%
• Institutional Securities net revenues rose to $7.0 billion
• Wealth Management delivered a pre-tax margin of 26.8%
• Investment Management net revenues increased to $1.4 billion

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (NYSE American: EIM) has initiated a four-month measurement period starting July 9, 2024, for a potential conditional tender offer. If the Fund's common shares trade at an average discount to NAV exceeding 7.5% during this period, the Fund will execute a tender offer for up to 5% of its outstanding shares at 98% of NAV. The measurement period ends on November 8, 2024. The offer's terms will be detailed in filings with the SEC and communicated to shareholders. Should the number of shares tendered exceed the maximum, purchases will be made on a pro-rata basis. Further details will follow in subsequent press releases and official documents.