Morgan Stanley is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City. Founded on September 16, 1935, by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley in response to the Glass-Steagall Act, the firm initially focused on investment banking services, including initial public offerings, and quickly became a leader in the field. Today, Morgan Stanley operates in three primary business segments: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management, offering a wide array of services to corporations, governments, institutions, and individual investors.
Currently, the Chairman and CEO of Morgan Stanley is Ted Pick. The company has a global presence with offices in 42 countries and a workforce of over 80,000 employees. Morgan Stanley is recognized for its involvement in significant financial transactions and its commitment to technological innovation, including creating the first viable computer model for financial analysis in 1962. Recent news includes the reinstatement of Michael Grimes as chairman of investment banking. Grimes is expected to leverage his expertise in technology listings, and Morgan Stanley may play a leading role in a potential initial public offering of SpaceX.
Morgan Stanley's market position is strong, with a market capitalization of $286.01 billion as of January 2026. The company is considered systemically important by the Financial Stability Board. Institutional investors mainly own Morgan Stanley, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group holding the largest share at 23.38%. Morgan Stanley is a leader in mergers and acquisitions, IPO underwriting, and wealth management. The firm is also increasing its focus on wealth and investment management, with these segments accounting for 54% of net revenues in 2025.
Morgan Stanley offers various products and services, including financial advisor-led brokerage, custody, investment advisory services, self-directed brokerage services, wealth planning, stock plan administration, securities-based lending, residential and commercial real estate loans, banking, and retirement plan services. The company is dedicated to sustainability through its core business activities, employment practices, operations, and philanthropic giving.