Morgan Stanley Stock Price, News & Analysis

Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing and Kellogg School of Management announced the BeeBank & Brokerage team as the winner of the 2021 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge. The team, comprising students from the University of Oxford and Medical Research Council, proposed a plan to help beekeepers enhance biodiversity through pooled loans. Competing against 123 teams globally, the initiative emphasizes sustainable financial approaches to tackle environmental challenges. The runner-up was the Fund for E-Bus Batteries team, which aimed to accelerate electric bus adoption in the Netherlands.

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE American: EVY) announced board approval for a plan of liquidation and termination of the Fund, pending shareholder approval at a special meeting scheduled for June 25, 2021. The board recommends a favorable vote for the liquidation. A record date of April 23, 2021 has been established for determining eligible shareholders to vote. Following the acquisition of Eaton Vance by Morgan Stanley on March 1, 2021, a temporary agreement allowed continued management of the Fund. Shareholders will receive a proxy statement with further details.

Morgan Stanley’s Institute for Sustainable Investing and Kellogg School of Management announced the BeeBank & Brokerage team as the winner of the 2021 Kellogg-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge, selected from 123 teams. The winning project aims to support beekeepers in expanding biodiversity-related practices. In addition, the European Circular Fund team earned recognition for a plastic waste resolution. The competition promotes innovative financial solutions for social and environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of sustainable finance in graduate education.

TruFund Financial Services has made a preferred equity investment in Genesis Companies, an African American-owned real estate firm, to enhance its growth and development capacity. This investment, part of the Impact Developers Fund launched in July 2020 by Morgan Stanley, TruFund, and the Ford Foundation, aims to support minority developers facing capital access challenges. Genesis, with a 16-year history of developing affordable housing in New York and New Jersey, is positioned to leverage this investment for further community impact.

The Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Plus Fund (NYSE: EFF) held a Special Meeting on March 19, 2021, where no quorum was present to approve a new investment advisory agreement with Eaton Vance Management. Following a previous decision on March 11, 2021, the Fund's Board approved a liquidation and termination plan, which will be presented for shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting on May 14, 2021. Eaton Vance Management, now part of Morgan Stanley after its acquisition on March 1, 2021, continues to manage the Fund under an interim agreement that lasts for up to 150 days.

Shareworks by Morgan Stanley has released the report Transparency 2021: Addressing Gaps in Equity Compensation, revealing stark disparities in equity compensation participation. Key findings show that only 41% of women participate compared to 52% of men. Among granted equity, 25% are working mothers, and just 12% are BIPOC. The report emphasizes the need for education on equity compensation and outlines five strategies to foster inclusivity in equity plans. The study, conducted by Rebel & Co., surveyed 574 participants across various industries and regions.

Morgan Stanley has launched the 2021 Strategy Challenge, a 11-week pro bono program where employees in New York and London will collaborate with 12 nonprofit organizations. The initiative aims to provide strategic recommendations to help these organizations overcome critical challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable participating nonprofits include Center for Urban Families and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. This program showcases Morgan Stanley's commitment to social responsibility and community support.

Morgan Stanley announced the complete redemption of its Series J Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock and corresponding Depositary Shares, effective April 15, 2021. Each Series J Depositary Share, with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, will be redeemed at $1,000. This does not include the previously declared dividend of $10.12813 per share, payable to holders of record on the redemption date. Following the redemption, the shares will no longer be deemed outstanding, and dividends will cease to accrue.

The Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Plus Fund (NYSE: EFF) has announced a plan for liquidation and termination, subject to shareholder approval at the annual meeting on May 14, 2021. The Board has recommended voting for this plan. Following Morgan Stanley's acquisition of Eaton Vance Corp on March 1, 2021, a new investment advisory agreement was not approved, necessitating an interim agreement for fund management. Shareholders are encouraged to review the upcoming proxy statement from the SEC, which will contain further essential details about the liquidation process.