10-KPeriod: FY2008

MORGAN STANLEY Annual Report, Year Ended Nov 30, 2008

Filed January 29, 2009For Securities:MSMS-PKMS-POMS-PQMS-PAMS-PFMS-PIMS-PLMS-PPMS-PEMSTLW

Summary

Morgan Stanley's 2009 10-K filing, covering the period ending November 29, 2008, highlights a challenging year significantly impacted by the global financial crisis. Net income plummeted by 47% to $1.7 billion, and net revenues decreased by 12% to $24.7 billion, largely due to widespread market turmoil, illiquid credit markets, and a severe economic downturn. The firm took substantial steps to strengthen its capital and liquidity, including participating in the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program (CPP), which injected $10 billion into the company via preferred stock and warrants. Morgan Stanley also transitioned to a bank holding company and subsequently a financial holding company, gaining access to additional government liquidity facilities. A significant strategic development announced post-year-end was the agreement to combine Morgan Stanley's Global Wealth Management Group with Citigroup's Smith Barney into a joint venture, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, which Morgan Stanley will control with a 51% stake. This move aims to create the largest wealth management business in the U.S. The filing also details substantial losses in the Institutional Securities segment, particularly in sales and trading, and significant writedowns in mortgage-related portfolios. The firm is actively managing its balance sheet by reducing exposure to capital-intensive businesses and targeting cost savings to navigate the ongoing economic uncertainty.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$22.14B
Operating Income$1.21B
Interest Expense$36.26B
Net Income$1.71B
EPS (Basic)$1.45
EPS (Diluted)$1.39
Shares Outstanding (Basic)1.03B
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)1.07B

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income for fiscal 2008 significantly decreased by 47% to $1.7 billion, compared to $3.2 billion in fiscal 2007, reflecting the severe impact of the global financial crisis.
  • 2Net revenues declined 12% to $24.7 billion in fiscal 2008, impacted by market turmoil across equity, fixed income, and credit markets.
  • 3The company participated in the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program (CPP), receiving a $10 billion capital injection through preferred stock and warrants, which enhanced its capital position.
  • 4Morgan Stanley transitioned to a bank holding company and then a financial holding company, providing access to expanded government lending programs and facilities.
  • 5A landmark joint venture was announced to combine Morgan Stanley's Global Wealth Management Group with Citigroup's Smith Barney, creating a dominant U.S. wealth management firm.
  • 6The Institutional Securities segment experienced a substantial increase in income from continuing operations before taxes to $2.9 billion, driven by record equity sales and trading results and lower mortgage-related losses, though investment banking revenues declined significantly.
  • 7Significant writedowns and losses were recorded across various portfolios, including mortgage-related securities, corporate lending, and structured products, reflecting the severe market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Morgan Stanley experienced a significant downturn in fiscal year 2008. Net income fell by 47% to $1.7 billion, and net revenues decreased by 12% to $24.7 billion, largely due to the severe global financial crisis, market volatility, and illiquid credit markets.

In response to the crisis, Morgan Stanley became a bank holding company and then a financial holding company, gaining access to government lending facilities. It also entered into the U.S. Treasury's Capital Purchase Program (CPP), receiving a $10 billion capital injection. Additionally, a major strategic initiative announced was the joint venture to combine its Global Wealth Management Group with Citigroup's Smith Barney, aimed at creating the largest U.S. wealth management business.

The Institutional Securities segment saw a substantial increase in income before taxes to $2.9 billion, boosted by strong equity sales and trading and reduced mortgage losses, despite a significant drop in investment banking revenues. The Global Wealth Management Group's income before taxes remained relatively flat, while the Asset Management segment incurred a significant loss before taxes of $1.8 billion, largely due to investment losses in its merchant banking business.

The crisis led to unprecedented market volatility and illiquidity, adversely affecting funding costs and availability. Morgan Stanley's total assets decreased significantly to $658.8 billion from $1.05 trillion in the prior year, partly due to a focus on resizing balance sheet-intensive businesses. The company enhanced its liquidity reserves and accessed government programs to manage funding needs.