JPMorgan JPM and Morgan Stanley MS crushed expectations and delivered blockbuster second-quarter results, supported by resilient trading activity, improving investment banking (IB) revenues and solid wealth management performance. However, differences in business mix, valuation, earnings momentum and capital-return prospects could determine which banking giant offers stronger upside potential for investors following their impressive quarterly performances.
JP Morgan has set out a selective stance on the UK small and mid-cap internet sector, naming Auction Technology Group PLC (LSE:ATG, FRA:684) and YouGov PLC (AIM:YOU) as its preferred names while flagging caution on Auto Trader Group PLC (LSE:AUTO) and Trainline PLC (LSE:TRN, FRA:2T9A). The bank rates both ATG, which operates online marketplaces for curated auctions, and YouGov, the market research group, overweight, meaning it expects them to 'outperform' the wider sector.
MS' Q2 2026 results spotlight record wealth and institutional revenues, rising AI capital needs and strong financial flexibility.
Artificial intelligence stocks have spent much of this year whipsawing between optimism and doubt.
Morgan Stanley (MS) shares are inching higher on Wednesday morning after the bank posted Q2 earnings that came in miles above Street estimates. The multinational reported a 27% year-on-year increase in its net revenue to a record $21.4 billion on 58% growth in earnings per share (EPS) to $3.46 – also an all-time high.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reported record second quarter revenue and profit that topped Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, driven by strength across its institutional securities, wealth management and investment management businesses. The bank posted earnings per diluted share of $3.46 on net revenue of $21.35 billion for the quarter ended June 30, exceeding analysts' expectations of $2.93 per share on revenue of $19.63 billion.
Morgan Stanley NYSE: MS reported record second-quarter 2026 results, with executives citing strong client activity across institutional securities, wealth management and investment management, as well as continued benefits from the firm's integrated business model.
Morgan Stanley delivered blowout Q2 earnings, driven by wealth management growth, strong investment banking, and robust capital returns. Recurring fee revenue from wealth management and rising AUM underpin MS's resilient results, with further upside expected in Q3 due to market appreciation. Investment banking and trading benefited from a favorable environment, but trading revenues are unlikely to remain at current extraordinary levels.
Morgan Stanley has identified three stocks that could outperform as the second-quarter earnings season gets underway. The Wall Street bank highlighted GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV), Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX), and United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) among its top picks, citing expectations that they will deliver strong quarterly earnings.
Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day.
The artificial intelligence boom has never been cheap, but the price of staying at the cutting edge is climbing even faster than many investors expected.
Morgan Stanley reports first-quarter earnings before the bell Wednesday. Rivals JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs reported earnings Tuesday that showed higher trading and investment banking revenue.