MS vs. CSCO
MS (Morgan Stanley) and CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) are both stocks. MS operates in Capital Markets (Financial Services), while CSCO operates in Communication Equipment (Technology). Over the past 10 years, MS returned 27.71%/yr vs 18.92%/yr for CSCO. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MS vs. CSCO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MS achieves a 21.88% return, which is significantly lower than CSCO's 58.91% return. Over the past 10 years, MS has outperformed CSCO with an annualized return of 27.71%, while CSCO has yielded a comparatively lower 18.92% annualized return.
MS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 11.18%
- YTD
- 21.88%
- 6M
- 21.28%
- 1Y
- 69.28%
- 3Y*
- 38.69%
- 5Y*
- 22.26%
- 10Y*
- 27.71%
CSCO
- 1D
- -0.60%
- 1M
- 2.44%
- YTD
- 58.91%
- 6M
- 57.34%
- 1Y
- 93.30%
- 3Y*
- 37.33%
- 5Y*
- 20.60%
- 10Y*
- 18.92%
MS vs. CSCO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MS Morgan Stanley | 21.88% | 45.16% | 39.73% | 13.93% | -10.34% | 46.65% | 38.09% | 32.67% | -22.76% | 26.61% |
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. | 58.91% | 33.47% | 21.00% | 9.30% | -22.46% | 45.76% | -3.49% | 13.81% | 16.57% | 31.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between MS and CSCO is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 1993 | 0.43 |
Fundamentals
MS:
$340.97B
CSCO:
$482.83B
MS:
$11.41
CSCO:
$3.00
MS:
18.75
CSCO:
40.40
MS:
1.76
CSCO:
33.90
MS:
2.84
CSCO:
7.95
MS:
3.26
CSCO:
9.88
MS:
$120.22B
CSCO:
$60.75B
MS:
$69.72B
CSCO:
$39.08B
MS:
$27.21B
CSCO:
$13.98B
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Return for Risk
MS vs. CSCO — Risk / Return Rank
MS
CSCO
MS vs. CSCO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley (MS) and Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MS | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.53 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.53 | 6.69 | -3.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.65 | 18.37 | -6.72 |
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Drawdowns
MS vs. CSCO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MS drawdown since its inception was -88.12%, roughly equal to the maximum CSCO drawdown of -89.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MS and CSCO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MS | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.12% | -89.26% | +1.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.83% | -13.57% | -5.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.24% | -20.16% | -9.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.38% | -36.68% | +4.30% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.33% | -41.95% | -9.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.94% | -6.85% | +4.91% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -33.69% | -40.11% | +6.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.70% | 4.93% | +0.77% |
Volatility
MS vs. CSCO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Morgan Stanley (MS) is 8.62%, while Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) has a volatility of 17.31%. This indicates that MS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CSCO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MS | CSCO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.62% | 17.31% | -8.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.46% | 27.29% | -5.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.81% | 30.93% | -5.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.75% | 24.88% | +3.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.51% | 25.89% | +5.62% |
Dividends
MS vs. CSCO - Dividend Comparison
MS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, more than CSCO's 1.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSCO Cisco Systems, Inc. | 1.36% | 2.12% | 2.69% | 3.07% | 3.17% | 2.32% | 3.20% | 2.88% | 2.95% | 2.95% | 3.28% | 3.02% |
MS Morgan Stanley | 1.87% | 2.17% | 2.82% | 3.49% | 3.47% | 2.14% | 2.04% | 2.54% | 2.77% | 1.72% | 1.66% | 1.73% |
Financials
MS vs. CSCO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Morgan Stanley and Cisco Systems, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MS vs. CSCO - Profitability Comparison
MS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Morgan Stanley reported a gross profit of 20.48B and revenue of 33.15B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.8%.
CSCO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a gross profit of 10.08B and revenue of 15.84B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.6%.
MS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Morgan Stanley reported an operating income of 7.01B and revenue of 33.15B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.2%.
CSCO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported an operating income of 3.96B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in an operating margin of 25.0%.
MS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Morgan Stanley reported a net income of 5.64B and revenue of 33.15B, resulting in a net margin of 17.0%.
CSCO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cisco Systems, Inc. reported a net income of 3.37B and revenue of 15.84B, resulting in a net margin of 21.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MS and CSCO have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CSCO has higher volatility (17.31%) compared to MS (8.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MS dropped -88.12% vs CSCO's -89.26%.
CSCO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.58), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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