10-KPeriod: FY2005

MORGAN STANLEY Annual Report, Year Ended Nov 30, 2005

Filed February 13, 2006For Securities:MSMS-PKMS-POMS-PQMS-PAMS-PFMS-PIMS-PLMS-PPMS-PEMSTLW

Summary

Morgan Stanley's 2005 10-K filing highlights a strong year of growth and performance across its diversified business segments: Institutional Securities, Retail Brokerage, Asset Management, and Discover. The company reported a significant increase in net income and diluted earnings per share, driven by robust performance in its Institutional Securities division, particularly in fixed income and equity sales and trading, as well as strong investment banking advisory revenues. The company emphasized strategic initiatives for fiscal 2006, focusing on leveraging its global scale, increasing principal activity, investing in growth opportunities, improving operating margins, and fostering a cohesive "one-firm" culture. Despite facing a competitive landscape and the potential impact of regulatory changes and market volatility, Morgan Stanley demonstrated resilience and a commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income increased by 10% to $4.9 billion, with diluted EPS rising 13% to $4.57.
  • 2Net revenues grew by 13% to $26.8 billion, primarily driven by record fixed income sales and trading revenues and strong investment banking performance.
  • 3Institutional Securities segment income from continuing operations before taxes increased by 11% to $4.8 billion.
  • 4Retail Brokerage pre-tax income rose significantly by 58% to $585 million, benefiting from higher client assets in fee-based accounts.
  • 5Asset Management pre-tax income increased by 22% to $1.0 billion, driven by higher investment gains and asset management fees.
  • 6Discover segment pre-tax income decreased by 25% to $921 million, primarily due to lower servicing and securitization income.
  • 7The company repurchased approximately $3.7 billion of its common stock under its capital management and equity anti-dilution programs.
  • 8Morgan Stanley is working with regulators on implementing Consolidated Supervised Entities (CSE) Rules and Basel II capital standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

In fiscal year 2005, Morgan Stanley reported a net income of $4.9 billion, a 10% increase from the prior year, with diluted earnings per share of $4.57, a 13% increase. Net revenues also rose by 13% to $26.8 billion, reflecting strong performance across its business segments, particularly in Institutional Securities.

The Institutional Securities segment was the primary driver of Morgan Stanley's performance in 2005. It reported a 20% increase in net revenues to $15.7 billion, achieving record revenues in fixed income sales and trading, alongside strong results in investment banking advisory and underwriting.

For fiscal year 2006, Morgan Stanley's strategic priorities included leveraging its global scale and integration across businesses, increasing principal activity to balance it with client activity, investing in growth opportunities to achieve 'best-in-class' status, pursuing bolt-on acquisitions, improving operating margins through productivity and efficiency, and fostering a cohesive 'one-firm' culture.

Morgan Stanley faces several key risks, including market fluctuations affecting operations, liquidity needs requiring external financing, intense competition leading to pricing pressures, reliance on attracting and retaining qualified employees, extensive global regulation, substantial litigation and regulatory risks, increasing conflicts of interest, tax contingencies, operational risks, risks associated with commodities activities, risks from international operations, and the inability to fully integrate future acquisitions. Specific risks related to its Discover business include industry-specific credit card risks.