PRS
Prudential Financial, Inc. 5.62
Insurance - Life
Market Cap$8.03B
5Y Perf.-14.6%
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Stock Comparison
PRS vs MS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MS
Morgan Stanley
Financial - Capital Markets
Market Cap$301.05B
5Y Perf.+328.1%
PRS vs MS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | PRS | MS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Life | Financial - Capital Markets |
| Market Cap | $8.03B | $301.05B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $60.77B | $103.14B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.58B | $16.18B |
| Gross Margin | 42.0% | 55.6% |
| Operating Margin | 7.9% | 17.1% |
| Forward P/E | 1.6x | 15.9x |
| Total Debt | $33.28B | $360.49B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $19.75B | $75.74B |
PRS vs MS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
PRS
MS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prudential Financia… (PRS) | 100 | 85.4 | -14.6% |
| Morgan Stanley (MS) | 100 | 428.1 | +328.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PRS vs MS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MS leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Prudential Financial, Inc. 5.62 is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
PRS
Prudential Financial, Inc. 5.62
The Insurance Pick
PRS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 14 yrs, beta 0.77, yield 23.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.77, Low D/E 93.5%
- Beta 0.77, yield 23.8%
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
MS
Morgan Stanley
The Banking Pick
MS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 16.8%, EPS growth 53.5%
- 7.3% 10Y total return vs PRS's 33.9%
- 16.8% NII/revenue growth vs PRS's -13.7%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MS | 16.8% NII/revenue growth vs PRS's -13.7% |
| Value | PRS | Lower P/E (1.6x vs 15.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | MS | 13.0% margin vs PRS's 5.9% |
| Stability / Safety | PRS | Beta 0.77 vs MS's 1.37, lower leverage |
| Dividends | PRS | 23.8% yield, 14-year raise streak, vs MS's 2.0% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MS | +61.5% vs PRS's +5.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | MS | 1.2% ROA vs PRS's 0.5%, ROIC 2.9% vs 8.0% |
PRS vs MS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
PRS vs MS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPRSLAGGINGMS
MSMorgan Stanley
2leads
PRSPrudential Financial,…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MS3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PRS5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
PRS5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MS6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PRS2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MS is the larger business by revenue, generating $103.1B annually — 1.7x PRS's $60.8B. MS is the more profitable business, keeping 13.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PRS's 5.9%.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $60.8B | $103.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.9B | $26.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $3.6B | $16.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $6.3B | -$6.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +42.0% | +55.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +7.9% | +17.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.9% | +13.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.3% | -2.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.3% | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +133.3% | +48.9% |
MS leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PRS leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 2.3x trailing earnings, PRS trades at a 90% valuation discount to MS's 23.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PRS's 4.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MS's 25.7x.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $8.0B | $301.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $21.6B | $585.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 2.29x | 23.80x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 1.59x | 15.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.67x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 4.39x | 25.74x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.13x | 2.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.23x | 2.89x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 1.28x | — |
PRS leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PRS leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MS delivers a 14.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $15 in annual profit, vs $11 for PRS. PRS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.94x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MS's 3.42x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PRS scores 6/9 vs MS's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.5% | +14.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.5% | +1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.0% | +2.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +0.6% | +3.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.94x | 3.42x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $13.5B | $284.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $19.7B | $75.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $33.3B | $360.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 0.44x |
PRS leads this category, winning 5 of 8 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 $24,401 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,708 for PRS. Over the past 12 months, MS leads with a +61.5% total return vs PRS's +5.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MS at 33.1% vs PRS's 3.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -3.1% | +5.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.7% | +61.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.0% | +136.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +7.1% | +144.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +33.9% | +726.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +3.2% | +33.1% |
MS leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PRS and MS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PRS is the less volatile stock with a 0.77 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MS's 1.37 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MS currently trades 97.2% from its 52-week high vs PRS's 90.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.77x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $25.19 | $194.59 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.84 | $117.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.9% | +97.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.5 | 59.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 34K | 5.5M |
Evenly matched — PRS and MS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PRS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, PRS offers the higher dividend yield at 23.79% vs MS's 2.01%.
| Metric | PRSPrudential Financ… | MSMorgan Stanley |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $205.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 52 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +23.8% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 14 | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $5.45 | $3.81 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +12.5% | +1.4% |
PRS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
PRS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). MS leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallPrudential Financial, Inc. … (PRS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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PRS vs MS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PRS 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 -13. 7% for Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS). Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS) offers the better valuation at 2. 3x trailing P/E (1. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Morgan Stanley (MS) a "Buy" — based on 52 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 — PRS or MS?
On trailing P/E, Prudential Financial, Inc.
5. 62 (PRS) is the cheapest at 2. 3x versus Morgan Stanley at 23. 8x. On forward P/E, Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 is actually cheaper at 1. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PRS or MS?
Over the past 5 years, Morgan Stanley (MS) delivered a total return of +144.
0%, compared to +7. 1% for Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MS returned +726. 4% versus PRS's +33. 9%. 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 — PRS or MS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Prudential Financial, Inc.
5. 62 (PRS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 77β versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 37β — meaning MS is approximately 77% more volatile than PRS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 94% versus 3% for Morgan Stanley — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PRS or MS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Morgan Stanley (MS) is pulling ahead at 16.
8% versus -13. 7% for Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Morgan Stanley grew EPS 53. 5% year-over-year, compared to 33. 2% for Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62. 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 — PRS or MS?
Morgan Stanley (MS) is the more profitable company, earning 13.
0% net margin versus 5. 9% for Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 — 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 7. 9% for PRS. 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 PRS or MS more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Prudential Financial, Inc.
5. 62 (PRS) trades at 1. 6x forward P/E versus 15. 9x for Morgan Stanley — 14. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — PRS or MS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Prudential Financial, Inc. 5. 62 (PRS) offers the highest yield at 23. 8%, versus 2. 0% for Morgan Stanley (MS).
09Is PRS or MS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Prudential Financial, Inc.
5. 62 (PRS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 77), 23. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PRS: +33. 9%, MS: +726. 4%), 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 PRS and MS?
Both stocks operate in the null sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PRS is a small-cap deep-value 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>
%
(PRS: 25.3% · MS: 16.8%)Net Margin>
%
(PRS: 5.9% · MS: 13.0%)P/E Ratio<
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