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MS FY2025 Q3 IMPROVING

Morgan Stanley earnings call

Oct 15, 2025 · 05:30 ET Sharon YeshayaTed Pick
Buzzberg read

Capital markets flywheel taking hold, investment banking pipeline strong

Morgan Stanley reported record Q3 FY2025 results with revenue of $18.2B and EPS of $2.80, driven by strength in investment banking and equities. Management struck a bullish tone, citing a capital markets flywheel, favorable regulatory developments, and durable growth across wealth and investment management. Guidance included a Q4 tax rate of ~24%, while the firm highlighted strategic partnerships and internal investments rather than inorganic M&A. Record revenue and EPS: $18.2B revenue, $2.80 EPS, ROTCE 23.5%.

Buzzberg read Capital markets flywheel taking hold, investment banking pipeline strong Morgan Stanley reported record Q3 FY2025 results with revenue of $18.2B and EPS of $2.80, driven by strength in investment banking and equities. Management struck a bullish tone, citing a capital markets flywheel, favorable regulatory developments, and durable growth across wealth and investment management. Guidance included a Q4 tax rate of ~24%, while the firm highlighted strategic partnerships and internal investments rather than inorganic M&A. Record revenue and EPS: $18.2B revenue, $2.80 EPS, ROTCE 23.5%. Read full analysisCollapse analysis

Morgan Stanley reported record Q3 FY2025 results with revenue of $18.2B and EPS of $2.80, driven by strength in investment banking and equities. Management struck a bullish tone, citing a capital markets flywheel, favorable regulatory developments, and durable growth across wealth and investment management. Guidance included a Q4 tax rate of ~24%, while the firm highlighted strategic partnerships and internal investments rather than inorganic M&A. Record revenue and EPS: $18.2B revenue, $2.80 EPS, ROTCE 23.5%.

  • Investment banking revenues surged to $2.1B, with equity underwriting up 80% YoY and advisory up on higher completed M&A.
  • Wealth management posted 30.3% margin with $81B net new assets; workplace channel migration accelerating.
  • Management sees multi-year opportunity in capital markets, citing pent-up supply, regulatory easing, and AI-driven demand.
Revenue $30.048B reported
EPS $2.80 reported
Gross margin 56.85% reported
Op margin 20.06% reported

What changed this quarter

01
Demand

Capital markets flywheel taking hold, investment banking pipeline strong

Management expressed strong confidence in the sustainability of the capital markets recovery and the firm's growth trajectory, citing record results and a favorable regulatory shift.

02
Margins

Wealth management margins reached 30%, with record net new assets

Reported gross margin was 56.85%, reinforcing the quarter's better-than-guided profitability.

03
Competitive Position

Equities franchise confirmed #1 position with standout quarter

Investment banking revenues surged to $2.1B, with equity underwriting up 80% YoY and advisory up on higher completed M&A.

04
Regulation

Regulators moving toward more balanced capital framework

Wealth management posted 30.3% margin with $81B net new assets; workplace channel migration accelerating.

AI, capex & demand read

AI

Platform & monetization

Management highlighted early AI use cases across the firm, including DevGenAI for code modernization, Parable for data analysis, and LeadIQ for advisor lead distribution, positioning AI as a driver of productivity and revenue growth.

Demand

Bookings & conversion

Capital markets flywheel taking hold, investment banking pipeline strong. Management expressed strong confidence in the sustainability of the capital markets recovery and the firm's growth trajectory, citing record results and a favorable regulatory shift.

Capex

Investment and capacity

Management emphasized continued investment in the integrated firm, including wealth and investment management, institutional securities, and infrastructure, with a bias toward organic investment, while noting opportunistic buybacks and a large capital buffer.

Tone · Upbeat

Management expressed strong confidence in the sustainability of the capital markets recovery and the firm's growth trajectory, citing record results and a favorable regulatory shift.

Forward guidance

ImprovingGuidance tone
Forward guidance
MetricPeriodRangeMidpointStatus
Op marginFY2025 Q424%24%GUIDED