SSNC vs MS

For growth investors, Morgan Stanley (MS) is the stronger pick with 16.

8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 6% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC). SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) offers the better valuation at 22. 2x trailing P/E (10. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) a "Buy" — based on 24 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.

On trailing P/E, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

(SSNC) is the cheapest at 22. 2x versus Morgan Stanley at 23. 9x. On forward P/E, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 10. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. wins at 1. 68x versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 80x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Morgan Stanley (MS) delivered a total return of +136.

2%, compared to +1. 7% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MS returned +732. 3% versus SSNC's +164. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

(SSNC) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 79β versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 37β — meaning MS is approximately 73% more volatile than SSNC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 110% versus 3% for Morgan Stanley — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Morgan Stanley (MS) is pulling ahead at 16.

8% versus 6. 6% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Morgan Stanley grew EPS 53. 5% year-over-year, compared to 5. 0% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, 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.

Morgan Stanley (MS) is the more profitable company, earning 13.

0% net margin versus 12. 7% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 13. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SSNC leads at 22. 9% versus 17. 1% for MS. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 68x versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 80x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) trades at 10. 1x forward P/E versus 16. 0x for Morgan Stanley — 5. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for SSNC: 34. 4% to $94. 20.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Morgan Stanley (MS) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 1. 4% for SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC).

For long-horizon retirement investors, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

(SSNC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 79), 1. 4% yield, +164. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SSNC: +164. 9%, MS: +732. 3%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (SSNC (Technology) and MS (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: SSNC 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.