MS vs. WMT
MS (Morgan Stanley) and WMT (Walmart Inc.) are both stocks. MS operates in Capital Markets (Financial Services), while WMT operates in Discount Stores (Consumer Defensive). Over the past 10 years, MS returned 27.71%/yr vs 19.77%/yr for WMT. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MS vs. WMT - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MS achieves a 21.88% return, which is significantly higher than WMT's 9.07% return. Over the past 10 years, MS has outperformed WMT with an annualized return of 27.71%, while WMT has yielded a comparatively lower 19.77% annualized return.
MS
- 1D
- 0.65%
- 1M
- 10.43%
- YTD
- 21.88%
- 6M
- 21.28%
- 1Y
- 66.17%
- 3Y*
- 38.69%
- 5Y*
- 22.26%
- 10Y*
- 27.71%
WMT
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- -7.93%
- YTD
- 9.07%
- 6M
- 4.13%
- 1Y
- 28.71%
- 3Y*
- 34.18%
- 5Y*
- 22.42%
- 10Y*
- 19.77%
MS vs. WMT - 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% |
WMT Walmart Inc. | 9.07% | 24.49% | 73.99% | 12.88% | -0.46% | 1.97% | 23.32% | 30.16% | -3.43% | 46.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between MS and WMT is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 1993 | 0.30 |
The correlation between MS and WMT shifts across timeframes, from -0.02 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MS:
$340.97B
WMT:
$968.20B
MS:
$11.41
WMT:
$2.88
MS:
18.75
WMT:
42.04
MS:
1.76
WMT:
2.75
MS:
2.84
WMT:
1.34
MS:
3.26
WMT:
10.26
MS:
$120.22B
WMT:
$725.31B
MS:
$69.72B
WMT:
$181.16B
MS:
$27.21B
WMT:
$44.32B
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Return for Risk
MS vs. WMT — Risk / Return Rank
MS
WMT
MS vs. WMT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley (MS) and Walmart Inc. (WMT). 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 | WMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.43 | 1.23 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.53 | 1.83 | +1.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.65 | 5.82 | +5.83 |
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Drawdowns
MS vs. WMT - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MS drawdown since its inception was -88.12%, which is greater than WMT's maximum drawdown of -77.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MS and WMT.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MS | WMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -88.12% | -77.14% | -10.98% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.83% | -15.75% | -3.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.24% | -21.93% | -7.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.38% | -25.74% | -6.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -51.33% | -25.74% | -25.59% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.94% | -9.81% | +7.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -33.69% | -14.63% | -19.06% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.70% | 4.94% | +0.76% |
Volatility
MS vs. WMT - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Morgan Stanley (MS) is 8.62%, while Walmart Inc. (WMT) has a volatility of 9.86%. This indicates that MS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WMT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MS | WMT | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.62% | 9.86% | -1.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 21.46% | 18.49% | +2.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.81% | 23.67% | +2.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.75% | 21.68% | +7.07% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 31.51% | 21.73% | +9.78% |
Dividends
MS vs. WMT - Dividend Comparison
MS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, more than WMT's 0.80% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
WMT Walmart Inc. | 0.80% | 0.84% | 0.92% | 1.45% | 1.58% | 1.52% | 1.50% | 1.78% | 2.23% | 2.07% | 2.89% | 3.20% |
Financials
MS vs. WMT - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Morgan Stanley and Walmart 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. WMT - 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%.
WMT - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Walmart Inc. reported a gross profit of 44.69B and revenue of 177.75B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 25.1%.
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%.
WMT - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Walmart Inc. reported an operating income of 7.49B and revenue of 177.75B, resulting in an operating margin of 4.2%.
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%.
WMT - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Walmart Inc. reported a net income of 5.65B and revenue of 177.75B, resulting in a net margin of 3.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MS and WMT have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
WMT has higher volatility (9.86%) compared to MS (8.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MS dropped -88.12% vs WMT's -77.14%.
MS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.22), 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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