Morgan Stanley Q1 profits surge amid volatile market activity

15th Apr 2026 13:31

(Sharecast News) - Morgan Stanley posted a solid first quarter performance on Tuesday, with profits rising almost 30% as volatile markets boosted trading activity across the bank.

Morgan Stanley said net income came in ahead of expectations at $5.6bn, up from $4.3bn a year earlier, with the bank's trading division driving the performance as equities trading revenue rose 25% to $5.1bn, while fixed‑income trading revenue increased 29% to $3.4bn.

Investment banking fees also strengthened, rising 36% to $2.1bn and coming in slightly above the $2bn expected, while wealth management, which made up around 40% of earnings in 2025, attracted $118bn in net new assets during the quarter.

Morgan Stanley's Q1 performance marked the bank's second consecutive quarter with more than $100bn in net new assets, the first time it has achieved back‑to‑back quarters at that level in four years.

As of 1330 BST, Morgan Stanley shares were up 2.71% in pre-market trading at $188.30 each.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com