Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Cuts MS Price Target to $230

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has reiterated its Outperform rating on Morgan Stanley, adjusting its price target to $230, a 25.44% upside from the current price.

By TradeTexts Research Desk · Published Oct 15, 2026, 9:18 PM EDT · Updated Oct 17, 2026, 8:15 AM EDT

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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut its price target on Morgan Stanley ($MS) to $230 from $250 on October 15, 2026, and rates the stock "Outperform".

Since the rating, $MS is down 0.8% to date (from the $182.10 close on Oct 15, 2026).

MS Morgan Stanley

$180.57 +0.91% year to date

Daily close · Oct 16, 2026

Key Points

On October 15, 2026, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated its Outperform rating on Morgan Stanley, lowering the price target from $250 to $230.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods's $230 price target implies 25.44% upside from Morgan Stanley's ($MS) current $183.35 share price.
Morgan Stanley's stock recently traded at $183.35, which is about 20.3% below the new price target.
Analysts remain mixed, with Citigroup maintaining a Neutral rating and a target of $190, while Wells Fargo holds an Equal-Weight rating with a $217 target.

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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has reiterated its Outperform rating on Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) on October 15, 2026, and lowered its price target from $250 to $230. This adjustment reflects the firm's updated view on the stock's potential.

Other Institutional Activity in Morgan Stanley

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc holds 377,085,167 shares of Morgan Stanley, valued at about $68.1 billion. State Street Corporation reduced its stake by 1,783,663 shares, bringing its total to 99,560,815 shares worth about $17.9 billion. BlackRock Inc. also trimmed its position, selling 1,494,103 shares, resulting in 94,899,620 shares worth approximately $17.1 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC slightly decreased its holdings by 15,543 shares, ending with 77,700,641 shares valued at around $14.0 billion. In contrast, JPMorgan Chase & Co increased its stake by 784,423 shares, totaling 44,363,477 shares worth about $8.0 billion.

Morgan Stanley Stock Up 0.7%

Morgan Stanley's stock is currently trading at $183.35 as of October 16, 2026. This price is significantly below the newly set target of $230, indicating potential value for investors considering the firm's outlook. The stock has shown volatility, and its recent performance places it more than 20% under the analyst's target.

12-month forecast

$MS price target

Morgan Stanley daily closes and this analyst's $230 target. Not advice.

Recent Earnings

Morgan Stanley reported trailing twelve-month revenue of about $77.8 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $12.38. The company has a net margin of 25.9% and a return on equity of 18.0%. These figures highlight the firm's strong profitability and operational efficiency in the financial services sector.

Insider Buying and Selling at Morgan Stanley

Insider transactions at Morgan Stanley include several sales. Eric F. Grossman, an officer, sold 11,118 shares on April 20, 2026, worth about $2.1 million. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Yeshaya sold 15,554 shares at an average price of $222.51 on July 16, 2026, totaling approximately $3.5 million. Another officer, Michael A. Pizzi, sold 24,165 shares, valued at around $5.2 million on July 17, 2026. Director Mary L. Schapiro sold 1,000 shares on July 28, 2026, for about $212,055.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 15, 2026, several firms maintained their ratings on Morgan Stanley. Citigroup kept a Neutral rating with a price target of $190, down from $210. RBC Capital maintained a Sector Perform rating with a target of $195, down from $243. TD Cowen also held a Hold rating with a target of $205, which was reduced from $210. Wells Fargo maintained an Equal-Weight rating with a new target of $217, down from $223. Evercore ISI Group reiterated its Outperform rating with a target of $205, lowered from $215. The consensus among analysts reflects caution amid changing market conditions.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a financial holding company that offers a wide array of financial products and services to various clients, including corporations, governments, and individuals. The firm operates through several segments, such as Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management. Its recent adjustments in ratings and price targets underscore the dynamic nature of the financial services industry.

Bottom Line

Investors should watch for further updates from analysts and upcoming earnings reports. Morgan Stanley's next earnings date is not yet announced. The recent price target adjustments reflect changing views in the market, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the company's performance.