Morgan Stanley's Wealth Management Business Will Power Earnings Growth, Even if Trading Stagnates

Morgan Stanley has built a more stable business model, and its shift to wealth management from investment banking will continue to be a main part of the company’s story over the long term. Investment banking is capital intensive, and many banks, especially the European investment banks, have had trouble earning adequate returns in that business and have purposely shrunk that business line. Morgan Stanley has remained dedicated to investment banking and has gained market share. The company had a strong return on equity in its institutional securities business of about 16% in 2020 and 20% in 2021 but has only averaged about 11% over the previous decade.