Financial - Capital Markets
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
TW vs MS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Financial - Capital Markets
TW vs MS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Capital Markets | Financial - Capital Markets |
| Market Cap | $23.32B | $307.53B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.05B | $103.14B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $870M | $16.18B |
| Gross Margin | 67.3% | 55.6% |
| Operating Margin | 41.2% | 17.1% |
| Forward P/E | 27.1x | 16.3x |
| Total Debt | $278M | $360.49B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.08B | $75.74B |
TW vs MS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tradeweb Markets In… (TW) | 100 | 165.9 | +65.9% |
| Morgan Stanley (MS) | 100 | 437.3 | +337.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TW vs MS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 18.9%, EPS growth 61.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.09, Low D/E 3.9%, current ratio 4.94x
- PEG 0.80 vs MS's 1.83
MS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 1.37, yield 2.0%
- 7.4% 10Y total return vs TW's 212.8%
- Lower P/E (16.3x vs 27.1x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 18.9% NII/revenue growth vs MS's 16.8% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (16.3x vs 27.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs MS's 0.4% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.09 vs MS's 1.37, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 2.0% yield, 11-year raise streak, vs TW's 0.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +66.7% vs TW's -23.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs MS's 0.4% |
TW vs MS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TW vs MS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TW 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 — 50.3x TW's $2.1B. TW is the more profitable business, keeping 39.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MS's 13.0%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.1B | $103.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.2B | $26.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $870M | $16.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $1.1B | -$6.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +67.3% | +55.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +41.2% | +17.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +39.6% | +13.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +54.9% | -2.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +39.1% | +48.9% |
Valuation Metrics
MS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.3x trailing earnings, MS trades at a 16% valuation discount to TW's 28.9x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), TW offers better value at 0.86x vs MS's 2.73x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $23.3B | $307.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $21.5B | $592.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 28.95x | 24.31x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 27.09x | 16.28x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.86x | 2.73x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 19.64x | 26.03x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 11.36x | 2.98x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.27x | 2.95x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 20.69x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
TW leads this category, winning 8 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 $12 for TW. TW carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MS's 3.42x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TW scores 8/9 vs MS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.4% | +14.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +10.7% | +1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.1% | +2.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +11.6% | +3.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 3.42x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$1.8B | $284.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.1B | $75.7B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $278M | $360.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 636.14x | 0.44x |
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 $13,545 for TW. Over the past 12 months, MS leads with a +66.7% total return vs TW's -23.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MS at 34.3% vs TW's 15.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.2% | +7.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -23.3% | +66.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +52.9% | +142.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +35.5% | +142.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +212.8% | +739.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +15.2% | +34.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — TW and MS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TW is the less volatile stock with a 0.09 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 99.2% from its 52-week high vs TW's 73.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.09x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $149.25 | $194.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $97.06 | $117.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +73.3% | +99.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 37.6 | 61.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.3M | 5.4M |
Analyst Outlook
MS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TW as "Buy" and MS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 19.0% upside for TW (target: $130) vs 6.5% for MS (target: $206). For income investors, MS offers the higher dividend yield at 1.97% vs TW's 0.44%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $130.20 | $205.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 52 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.4% | +2.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.48 | $3.81 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.4% | +1.4% |
MS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). TW leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
TW vs MS: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TW or MS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Tradeweb Markets Inc.
(TW) is the stronger pick with 18. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 16. 8% for Morgan Stanley (MS). 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 Tradeweb Markets Inc. (TW) a "Buy" — based on 28 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 — TW or MS?
On trailing P/E, Morgan Stanley (MS) is the cheapest at 24.
3x versus Tradeweb Markets Inc. at 28. 9x. On forward P/E, Morgan Stanley is actually cheaper at 16. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Tradeweb Markets Inc. wins at 0. 80x versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 83x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — TW or MS?
Over the past 5 years, Morgan Stanley (MS) delivered a total return of +142.
2%, compared to +35. 5% for Tradeweb Markets Inc. (TW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MS returned +739. 4% versus TW's +212. 8%. 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 — TW or MS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Tradeweb Markets Inc.
(TW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 09β versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 37β — meaning MS is approximately 1383% more volatile than TW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Tradeweb Markets Inc. (TW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 3% for Morgan Stanley — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — TW or MS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Tradeweb Markets Inc.
(TW) is pulling ahead at 18. 9% versus 16. 8% for Morgan Stanley (MS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Tradeweb Markets Inc. grew EPS 61. 5% year-over-year, compared to 53. 5% for Morgan Stanley. 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 — TW or MS?
Tradeweb Markets Inc.
(TW) is the more profitable company, earning 39. 6% net margin versus 13. 0% for Morgan Stanley — meaning it keeps 39. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TW leads at 41. 2% versus 17. 1% for MS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TW leads at 67. 3%, 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 TW or MS more undervalued right now?
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, Tradeweb Markets Inc. (TW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 80x versus Morgan Stanley's 1. 83x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Morgan Stanley (MS) trades at 16. 3x forward P/E versus 27. 1x for Tradeweb Markets Inc. — 10. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TW: 19. 0% to $130. 20.
08Which pays a better dividend — TW or MS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Morgan Stanley (MS) offers the highest yield at 2. 0%, versus 0. 4% for Tradeweb Markets Inc. (TW).
09Is TW or MS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Tradeweb Markets Inc.
(TW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 09), +212. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (TW: +212. 8%, MS: +739. 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 TW 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.
MS pays a dividend while TW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.