Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Stock Holdings Raised by Hamlin Capital Management LLC

Hamlin Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,503,973 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 116,882 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley accounts for approximately 3.9% of Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest holding. Hamlin Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $156,774,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of MS. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 1,147.6% in the 2nd quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 262 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 241 shares during the period. Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stephen J. Luczo sold 60,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.17, for a total value of $7,150,200.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 138,363 shares in the company, valued at $16,488,718.71. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.24% of the company’s stock.

Morgan Stanley Stock Down 1.9 %

NYSE MS opened at $116.88 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.78. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $105.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $100.22. Morgan Stanley has a 12 month low of $69.42 and a 12 month high of $121.45. The company has a market capitalization of $189.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.79, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.36.

Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 31st will be issued a $0.925 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 31st. This represents a $3.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.17%. Morgan Stanley’s payout ratio is currently 56.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on MS shares. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $120.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $107.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. Oppenheimer lowered shares of Morgan Stanley from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, HSBC raised shares of Morgan Stanley from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $118.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, October 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $109.24.

Morgan Stanley Company Profile

Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments.