Citi Raises Morgan Stanley (MS) Price Target Following Coverage Transfer

With a 5-year average dividend growth rate of 23.36%, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is included among the 14 Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Steady Growth.

4kclips/Shutterstock.com

On May 8, Citi raised its price recommendation on Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to $194 from $170. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the stock. The firm updated targets across the banking sector following a transfer in analyst coverage.

During Morgan Stanley’s Q1 2026 earnings call, the company described the quarter as a record period, supported by strong results in its markets and wealth management businesses. CEO and Chairman Ted Pick said the firm generated $20.6 billion in revenue and earnings per share of $3.43. Return on tangible equity reached 27%. Pick said Morgan Stanley’s integrated business model tends to perform well during periods of higher client and market activity. He also pointed to continued strength in the Wealth Management segment. The business brought in $118 billion in net new assets and $54 billion in fee-based inflows.

Pick added that the Investment Banking and Markets divisions posted record quarterly revenue of $10.7 billion, including more than $5 billion from equities. He said total client assets have now moved past $9 trillion as the firm continues working toward its long-term target of more than $10 trillion in client assets. On capital strength and regulation, Pick said Morgan Stanley reported a CET1 ratio of 15.1%, compared with a regulatory requirement of 11.8%. That left the bank with a capital buffer of more than 300 basis points. He also said the company was encouraged by what it sees as improving regulatory transparency and balance as Basel rulemaking moves closer to being finalized.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) is a global financial services company that provides investment banking, securities, wealth management, and investment management services. Its business segments include Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Inflation-Hedge Stocks to Buy for 2026 and 10 Best Stocks to Buy to Beat the S&P 500

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.