We initiate MS with a Buy rating and $162 PT, as the market underestimates the durability and scale of the earnings rebound underway. Expect above-consensus FY 2025E/FY 2026E EPS driven by resilient trading, strong capital markets pipelines, and structural wealth management margin expansion. Capital markets cycle is in a 'pause, not delete' phase, setting up for sharp H2 2025 earnings leverage as pipelines unlock and operational momentum accelerates.
MSDL boasts a highly diversified, low-risk portfolio with over 210 loans, minimal concentration risk, and 96% first-lien investments, ensuring portfolio resilience. The company consistently generates strong investment income, supporting a sustainable 10% dividend yield with potential for supplemental distributions. Risks include MSDL's short public track record and sensitivity to falling interest rates, which could reduce payouts by up to 25%.
Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund's total return has been flat since IPO, despite dividends being paid as expected. MSDL's share price weakness has occurred due to the shift from premium to discount-to-NAV, driven by insider selling and sector repricing. Current P/NAV of 0.96x offers neither strong upside nor downside for share price return movement.
Ernest Hoffman is a Crypto and Market Reporter for Kitco News. He has over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, broadcaster and producer for media, educational and cultural organizations.
As a leading midstream service provider, Kinder Morgan's pipeline and storage assets are secured under long-term take-or-pay contracts, generating almost two-thirds of its EBITDA.
Morgan Stanley's technical analysis is highly bullish, with strong support levels and upward momentum, indicating further gains are likely. Q1 results were robust, with record revenues and impressive ROTCE, showcasing the company's strong financial performance. The P/B ratio is fairly valued below its three-year-high, justified by a slump in dealmaking, making it a reasonable buy.
KMI generates stable fee-based revenues from its vast network of midstream infrastructure. However, a slowdown in drilling activities might affect it.
Ernest Hoffman is a Crypto and Market Reporter for Kitco News. He has over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, broadcaster and producer for media, educational and cultural organizations.
Simeon Gutman, Morgan Stanley retail analyst, joins 'The Exchange' to discuss the tariff impact for retailers.
Shares of Robinhood Markets (HOOD) declined Thursday following a report that Morgan Stanley (MS) is planning to add cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade platform. Robinhood could face increased competition if big banks make a push into crypto trading.
Tai Hui of JP Morgan Asset Management says China's drive for AI's self sufficiency will drive more competition with incumbents like Nvidia, but global demand for AI processing power and GPUs will continue.
Morgan Stanley is telling clients to continue investing in high quality cyclical stocks, specifically those that have priced in bad news.