Evercore ISI Group Cuts Morgan Stanley (MS) Price Target to $205

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) received a reaffirmed Outperform rating from Evercore ISI Group on October 15, 2026, with a price target set at $205. This target is about 10.6% above the recent trading price of $183.35 as of October 16, 2026.

What Changed in Evercore ISI Group's Morgan Stanley Position

Evercore ISI Group maintained its Outperform rating on Morgan Stanley, adjusting its price target from $215.0 to $205.0. This change reflects a more cautious outlook while still favoring the stock's potential for growth.

Other Institutional Activity in Morgan Stanley

Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in Morgan Stanley. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. holds 377,085,167 shares, valued at approximately $68.1 billion. State Street Corporation reduced its stake by 1,783,663 shares, ending with 99,560,815 shares worth about $17.9 billion. Blackrock Inc. decreased its holdings by 1,494,103 shares, bringing its total to 94,899,620 shares valued at around $17.1 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC slightly trimmed its position, now holding 77,700,641 shares worth about $14.0 billion. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake by 784,423 shares, totaling 44,363,477 shares worth approximately $8.0 billion.

Morgan Stanley Stock Up 0.7%

Morgan Stanley's stock is currently trading at $183.35, which is below the newly set price target of $205. This situation indicates potential upside for investors if the stock can regain momentum. The shares have been fluctuating but remain above their 52-week low, suggesting some resilience.

Recent Earnings

For the trailing twelve months, Morgan Stanley reported a revenue of $77.8 billion and an earnings per share (EPS) of $12.38. The company has shown strong performance with a net margin of 25.9% and a return on equity (ROE) of 18.0%. The next earnings report is expected on October 20, 2026.

Insider Buying and Selling at Morgan Stanley

Recent insider transactions include sales by several executives. On April 20, 2026, Eric F. Grossman, an officer, sold 11,118 shares valued at approximately $2.1 million. Chief Financial Officer Sharon Yeshaya sold 15,554 shares on July 16, 2026, for around $3.5 million at an average price of $222.51. Michael A. Pizzi, another officer, sold 24,165 shares on July 17, 2026, totaling about $5.2 million. Additionally, Director Mary L. Schapiro sold 1,000 shares on July 28, 2026, for about $212,000 at an average price of $212.06.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On the same day as Evercore ISI's rating, several other firms also maintained their ratings. Citigroup maintained a Neutral rating with a price target of $190, down from $210. RBC Capital kept its Sector Perform rating with a target of $195, reduced from $243. TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating with a target of $205, slightly down from $210. Wells Fargo also kept its Equal-Weight rating with a target of $217, down from $223.

About Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a financial services firm based in New York, NY, that offers a wide range of financial products to corporations, governments, and individuals. The company operates through three main segments: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management. This diverse structure allows Morgan Stanley to serve clients globally across various financial markets.

Bottom Line

Investors should keep an eye on Morgan Stanley's upcoming earnings report on October 20, 2026, and watch for any further changes in analyst ratings and price targets. The recent reiteration of ratings by Evercore ISI and others could signal ongoing interest in the stock despite its current price position.