KKR
KKR & Co. Inc.
Asset Management
Market Cap$89.86B
5Y Perf.+263.2%
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Stock Comparison
KKR vs MS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MS
Morgan Stanley
Financial - Capital Markets
Market Cap$307.53B
5Y Perf.+337.3%
KKR vs MS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | KKR | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Asset Management | Financial - Capital Markets |
| Market Cap | $89.86B | $307.53B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $19.26B | $103.14B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.37B | $16.18B |
| Gross Margin | 41.8% | 55.6% |
| Operating Margin | 2.4% | 17.1% |
| Forward P/E | 16.5x | 16.3x |
| Total Debt | $54.77B | $360.49B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $6M | $75.74B |
KKR vs MS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
KKR
MS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) | 100 | 363.2 | +263.2% |
| Morgan Stanley (MS) | 100 | 437.3 | +337.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KKR vs MS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MS leads in 7 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
KKR
KKR & Co. Inc.
The Banking Pick
KKR is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.70, Low D/E 67.1%, current ratio 79.85x
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
MS
Morgan Stanley
The Banking Pick
MS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 1.37, yield 2.0%
- Rev growth 16.8%, EPS growth 53.5%
- 7.4% 10Y total return vs KKR's 7.1%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MS | 16.8% NII/revenue growth vs KKR's -11.0% |
| Value | MS | Lower P/E (16.3x vs 16.5x) |
| Quality / Margins | MS | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs KKR's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | MS | Beta 1.37 vs KKR's 1.70 |
| Dividends | MS | 2.0% yield, 11-year raise streak, vs KKR's 0.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MS | +66.7% vs KKR's -10.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MS | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs KKR's 0.4% |
KKR vs MS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
KKR vs MS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMSLAGGINGKKR
KKRKKR & Co. Inc.
1leads
MSMorgan Stanley
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs KKRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MS4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MS3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KKR5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MS6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
MS2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MS is the larger business by revenue, generating $103.1B annually — 5.4x KKR's $19.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.0% (MS) to 12.3% (KKR).
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $19.3B | $103.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $9.0B | $26.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.4B | $16.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $7.5B | -$6.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +41.8% | +55.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +2.4% | +17.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.3% | +13.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +49.4% | -2.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -1.7% | +48.9% |
MS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.3x trailing earnings, MS trades at a 44% valuation discount to KKR's 43.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, KKR's 20.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MS's 26.0x.
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $89.9B | $307.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $144.6B | $592.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 43.07x | 24.31x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.50x | 16.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.73x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 20.30x | 26.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.67x | 2.98x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.18x | 2.95x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.44x | — |
MS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KKR leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MS delivers a 14.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $3 for KKR. KKR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.67x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MS's 3.42x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KKR scores 6/9 vs MS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +3.2% | +14.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.6% | +1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +0.3% | +2.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.1% | +3.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.67x | 3.42x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $54.8B | $284.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $6M | $75.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $54.8B | $360.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.29x | 0.44x |
KKR leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MS five years ago would be worth $24,217 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,046 for KKR. Over the past 12 months, MS leads with a +66.7% total return vs KKR's -10.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MS at 34.3% vs KKR's 27.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -21.7% | +7.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -10.7% | +66.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +108.7% | +142.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +80.5% | +142.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +711.5% | +739.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +27.8% | +34.3% |
MS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MS is the less volatile stock with a 1.37 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than KKR's 1.70 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MS currently trades 99.2% from its 52-week high vs KKR's 65.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.70x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $153.87 | $194.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $82.67 | $117.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +65.5% | +99.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 55.3 | 61.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6.6M | 5.4M |
MS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
MS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KKR as "Buy" and MS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 41.9% upside for KKR (target: $143) vs 6.5% for MS (target: $206). For income investors, MS offers the higher dividend yield at 1.97% vs KKR's 0.80%.
| Metric | KKRKKR & Co. Inc. | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $143.00 | $205.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 26 | 52 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.80 | $3.81 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +1.4% |
MS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MS leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). KKR leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency).
Best OverallMorgan Stanley (MS)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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KKR vs MS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KKR or MS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Morgan Stanley (MS) is the stronger pick with 16.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 0% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR). Morgan Stanley (MS) offers the better valuation at 24. 3x trailing P/E (16. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) a "Buy" — based on 26 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — KKR or MS?
On trailing P/E, Morgan Stanley (MS) is the cheapest at 24.
3x versus KKR & Co. Inc. at 43. 1x. On forward P/E, Morgan Stanley is actually cheaper at 16. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — KKR or MS?
Over the past 5 years, Morgan Stanley (MS) delivered a total return of +142.
2%, compared to +80. 5% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MS returned +739. 4% versus KKR's +711. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — KKR or MS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Morgan Stanley (MS) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
37β versus KKR & Co. Inc. 's 1. 70β — meaning KKR is approximately 24% more volatile than MS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 67% versus 3% for Morgan Stanley — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — KKR or MS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Morgan Stanley (MS) is pulling ahead at 16.
8% versus -11. 0% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Morgan Stanley grew EPS 53. 5% year-over-year, compared to -28. 7% for KKR & Co. Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — KKR or MS?
Morgan Stanley (MS) is the more profitable company, earning 13.
0% net margin versus 12. 3% for KKR & Co. Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MS leads at 17. 1% versus 2. 4% for KKR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MS leads at 55. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is KKR or MS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Morgan Stanley (MS) trades at 16.
3x forward P/E versus 16. 5x for KKR & Co. Inc. — 0. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KKR: 41. 9% to $143. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — KKR or MS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Morgan Stanley (MS) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 8% for KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR).
09Is KKR or MS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Morgan Stanley (MS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (2.
0% yield, +739. 4% 10Y return). KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) carries a higher beta of 1. 70 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (MS: +739. 4%, KKR: +711. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between KKR and MS?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: KKR is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; MS is a large-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(KKR: -11.0% · MS: 16.8%)Net Margin>
%
(KKR: 12.3% · MS: 13.0%)P/E Ratio<
x
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