About MS Dividend Returns
Morgan Stanley (MS) is a dividend-paying stock. When dividends are reinvested through a DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), they purchase additional shares, which then generate their own dividends—creating a compounding effect that can significantly boost long-term returns.
How We Calculate Total Return
Our total return calculator simulates dividend reinvestment (DRIP) by assuming each dividend payment is used to purchase additional shares at the closing price on the ex-dividend date. This methodology provides an accurate representation of how a dividend reinvestment plan would perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is the total return of MS over the past year?
Morgan Stanley (MS) delivered a total return of 28.01% over the past year when dividends are reinvested. The price-only return was 25.06%, meaning dividends contributed an additional 2.95 percentage points to total returns.
Q2How much would $10,000 invested in MS be worth today?
A $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley one year ago would be worth $12,801 today with dividends reinvested (DRIP). Without reinvesting dividends, the same investment would be worth $12,506. Dividend reinvestment added $295 to the portfolio value.
Q3Does MS pay dividends?
Yes, Morgan Stanley (MS) pays dividends. In the last year, MS paid approximately $3.81 per share in dividends (2.29% yield). Reinvesting these dividends through a DRIP can significantly boost long-term returns — over 20+ years, dividend compounding can account for 30–50% of total returns for dividend-paying stocks.
Q4Did MS beat the S&P 500?
Yes, Morgan Stanley (MS) outperformed the S&P 500 by 12.56 percentage points over the past year. MS delivered a total return of 28.01%, compared to the S&P 500's 15.45%. This 12.56pp alpha means investors in MS earned more than a passive S&P 500 index fund.
Q5What is MS's worst drawdown?
Morgan Stanley (MS) experienced a maximum drawdown of -25.00% over the past year, declining from its peak on 2025-02-28 to its trough on 2025-04-04. The stock recovered to its prior peak by 2025-06-23. Maximum drawdown measures the worst peak-to-trough decline and is an important risk metric for investors.
Q6What is MS's long-term total return over 10, 20, or 30 years?
Morgan Stanley (MS) has delivered strong long-term returns with dividends reinvested. Over 10 years, the total return is 662.8% (22.5% CAGR) — $10,000 would have grown to $76,284. Over 20 years: 281.9% total return (6.9% CAGR) — $10,000 → $38,193. Over 30 years: 1629.2% total return (10.0% CAGR) — $10,000 → $172,923. Long-term investors benefit from compounding: dividends buy additional shares, which generate their own dividends, creating an exponential growth effect.
Q7What was MS's best and worst year?
Morgan Stanley's best calendar year was 1999 with a total return of 96.2%. Its worst year was 2008 with a total return of -68.5%. This range shows the volatility investors should expect — the difference between the best and worst year is 164.7 percentage points.
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