Morgan Stanley Stock Hold Recommendation Reiterated (MS)

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a hold with a ratings score of C- . Among the primary strengths of the company is its solid stock price performance. At the same time, however, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, deteriorating net income and disappointing return on equity.

• EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Jim Cramer's Protégé, Dave Peltier, only buys Stocks Under $10 that he thinks could potentially double. See what he's trading today with a 14-day FREE pass

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• Compared to its closing price of one year ago, MS's share price has jumped by 26.67%, exceeding the performance of the broader market during that same time frame. Regarding the stock's future course, our hold rating indicates that we do not recommend additional investment in this stock despite its gains in the past year.
• The revenue fell significantly faster than the industry average of 26.5%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues fell by 40.3%. Weakness in the company's revenue seems to have hurt the bottom line, decreasing earnings per share.
• Net operating cash flow has decreased to $6,906.00 million or 21.62% when compared to the same quarter last year. Despite a decrease in cash flow of 21.62%, MORGAN STANLEY is still significantly exceeding the industry average of -297.66%.
• MORGAN STANLEY has exprienced a steep decline in earnings per share in the most recent quarter in comparison to its performance from the same quarter a year ago. Earnings per share have declined over the last year. We anticipate that this should continue in the coming year. During the past fiscal year, MORGAN STANLEY reported lower earnings of $1.15 versus $2.33 in the prior year. For the next year, the market is expecting a contraction of 98.7% in earnings ($0.02 versus $1.15).
• The company, on the basis of change in net income from the same quarter one year ago, has significantly underperformed when compared to that of the S&P 500 and the Capital Markets industry. The net income has significantly decreased by 146.5% when compared to the same quarter one year ago, falling from $2,199.00 million to -$1,023.00 million.

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals worldwide. Morgan Stanley has a market cap of $33.29 billion and is part of the financial sector and financial services industry. Shares are up 11.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full Morgan Stanley Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

Holiday Special: Subscribe to Action Alerts PLUS to see how Jim Cramer trades his $2.5 Million+ portfolio for 51% off the list price. Your first 14-days are FREE: Sign up today to get e-mail alerts before every trade

For more information on Morgan Stanley click any of the following:

• Morgan Stanley Stock Price

• Morgan Stanley Analyst Ratings

• Morgan Stanley Key Stats & Profile

• Morgan Stanley Earnings

• Morgan Stanley Ratio Comparison

• Morgan Stanley Growth Rates

• Morgan Stanley Balance Sheet

• Morgan Stanley Cash Flow

• Morgan Stanley Income Statement