Morgan Stanley Stock Price, News & Analysis

Morgan Stanley Energy Partners has completed the sale of Durango Permian to Kinetik Holdings. The transaction includes a mix of cash and equity, with additional payments contingent on the success of Durango Permian’s Kings Landing Gas Gathering and Processing Development. Durango Permian, a top player in gas gathering and processing in the Permian Basin, has been under Morgan Stanley’s management and achieved significant growth in New Mexico. The deal enhances Kinetik’s presence in the region, promising operational synergies and future growth, especially with the Kings Landing project. Financial advisors for Durango Midstream included Greenhill & Co. and Wells Fargo Securities, with Sidley Austin LLP as legal counsel.

Morgan Stanley at Work revealed key insights from its Thrive conference and 2024 Voice of the Participant survey, highlighting the growing importance of workplace financial benefits, especially equity compensation. The Thrive event drew over 1,000 benefits professionals, showcasing the rising demand for equity solutions to attract and retain talent. Notably, 76% of surveyed companies offer equity compensation, a 12% increase since 2021. However, knowledge gaps persist, with 61% of U.S. stock plan participants seeking better education on maximizing benefits. Additionally, 62% struggle with tax implications, indicating a need for enhanced guidance. Morgan Stanley at Work plans to address these gaps through expanded education and tech enhancements.

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (NYSE American: EIM) has announced a cash tender offer to buy up to 20% of its outstanding common shares. The purchase price will be 98% of the net asset value (NAV) per share, determined at the close of regular NYSE trading on the expiration date, set for July 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. The tender offer may be extended, and if oversubscribed, shares will be purchased on a pro-rata basis.

The Fund may hold an increased cash position during the offer period, which could impact its investment strategy and objectives. Shareholders can access detailed information on the SEC’s website or by contacting the Fund's information agent.

Morgan Stanley at Work's fourth annual State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study reveals retirement planning support and financial guidance as the most-wanted financial benefits by employees. The study, conducted with 1,000 U.S.-employed adults and 600 HR leaders, highlights that despite an uncertain economic climate, employees are cutting back on financial contributions but are still seeking financial guidance from workplace resources.

Key findings include that 78% of employees feel pressure to accelerate their financial planning, and 63% rate retirement planning assistance as a high priority. Participants in company 401(k) plans value financial guidance more, with 77% seeking investment planning support and 82% feeling the need to accelerate their planning. However, 63% of employees are reducing contributions to their workplace financial accounts.

Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners (MSIP) announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in Onslow Iron Road Trust. The remaining 51% is owned by Mineral Resources, an Australian natural resources company managing the Onslow Iron ore project in Western Australia.

Onslow Iron has started ore production and aims to reach its capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum by June 2025. The project includes a 150-kilometer private haul road connecting the mine to Ashburton Port, which is critical for transporting ore deposits.

Tim Cooper, Managing Director at MSIP, highlighted the project's potential for attractive, inflation-protected cash yields and its strong economic fundamentals.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has announced its schedule for quarterly and annual investor conference calls for 2024. The company will discuss its financial results for the second quarter on July 16, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET, the third quarter on October 16, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. ET, and the fourth quarter and full-year results on January 16, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The financial results will be released one hour before each call. The calls will be accessible via Morgan Stanley's website, with playback available through webcast. Dial-in details will be provided later. The firm offers a wide range of financial services globally across 42 countries.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) announced an $8 million grant to Feeding America, spread over four years, for programs addressing child hunger and improving food access among underserved populations. This brings Morgan Stanley's total commitment to over $50 million since 2009, helping deliver more than 356 million meals. This initiative includes expanding child hunger programs, such as mobile and school food pantries, BackPack programs, and SNAP assistance. It also focuses on equitable access by developing Operational Response Plans (ORPs) to target food insecurity barriers. The announcement coincides with Morgan Stanley's annual Global Volunteer Month, during which employees participate in various volunteer projects.

Morgan Stanley at Work has released its fourth annual State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study, highlighting the increasing popularity of equity compensation. The study reveals that 76% of HR leaders report their companies offer equity compensation, up 4% from last year, and 12% from 2021. Equity compensation is seen as a key driver for employee engagement and retention, with 95% of HR leaders and 80% of employees affirming its effectiveness. However, gaps in equity education persist, with only 38% of employees aware of their company's equity benefits. Private company employees and HR leaders emphasize the importance of liquidity events, with 62% of employees and 86% of HR leaders considering them very important. The study also notes a decline in employees viewing equity compensation as a long-term investment, down 6% from last year.

Morgan Stanley at Work's fourth annual State of the Workplace Financial Benefits Study reveals that employees increasingly seek workplace support for financial challenges. A significant majority of HR leaders (91%) believe employees face financial hardships, and nearly half of employees (46%) have experienced financial crises in the past year. These financial benefits are important for employee retention, with 87% of HR leaders citing them as key factors in employee decisions to stay. However, there is a gap in awareness and offering of these benefits, as 32% of employees have never sought help from their companies, and 82% of HR leaders recognize the need for more comprehensive solutions. Additionally, 82% of employees expect AI to transform their financial benefits experience. Morgan Stanley emphasizes the need for scalable, comprehensive solutions to support employees effectively.