Morgan Stanley Stock Price, News & Analysis

Morgan Stanley Investment Management announced that the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund (NYSE: MSD) has removed its previous 35% investment limit in debt securities of corporate issuers from emerging countries. The Fund's primary goal remains generating high current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.

The Fund invests in debt securities from government and government-related issuers in emerging countries, entities restructuring such debt, and corporate issuers in emerging markets. It maintains a minimum 80% investment in emerging markets debt under normal circumstances. The Fund operates as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company listed on the NYSE.

Morgan Stanley's latest Sustainable Signals survey reveals strong growth expectations for sustainable investing, with 78% of asset managers and 80% of asset owners anticipating increased sustainable assets over the next two years. The survey, covering 900+ institutional investors across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, highlights that client and stakeholder demands are driving sustainable investing activities.

Key challenges identified include data availability (71%), regulatory guidance fluctuations (69%), and greenwashing (68%). Healthcare (41%) and financial inclusion (40%) emerge as priority investment areas. Nearly two-thirds of investors have set net-zero targets, with mixed views on carbon offsets - 40% of asset owners currently use them, while others prefer limiting their use to hard-to-abate emissions or await greater certainty.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management released a report outlining six essential focus areas for family offices to target growth effectively, as these institutions are projected to grow 75% by 2030. The key pillars include: evolving governance structures, institutional-level staffing, data management, financial education for next generations, cybersecurity threat preparation, and balanced AI implementation.

The report emphasizes the importance of adaptable structures to help families express values, protect legacies, and navigate complex markets. It highlights the need for robust governance frameworks, talent pipeline development, reliable data sources, comprehensive financial education programs, and enhanced cybersecurity measures while balancing AI adoption with security considerations.

Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (MSCP) has acquired FoodScience, a provider of pet and human nutritional supplements, from Wind Point Partners. FoodScience, headquartered in Williston, Vermont, specializes in formulating, manufacturing, marketing, and distributing nutritional supplements through brands including VetriScience®, DaVinci®, and Pet Naturals®, along with private label and custom formulation services.

Sharon Rossi will continue as CEO. The acquisition marks MSCP's third investment in the Pet and Animal Health sector, following their 2020 exits from Compana Pet Brands and Thrive Pet Healthcare. Jones Day served as legal counsel and William Blair as financial advisor to MSCP.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has declared regular dividends on multiple series of preferred stock. The dividends range from $265.63 to $2,115.31 per share, with corresponding Depositary Share equivalents. For Preferred Stock Series N, dividends are payable on December 16, 2024, to stockholders of record as of November 29, 2024. For all other series (A, C, E, F, I, K, L, O, P, and Q), payments will be made on January 15, 2025, to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2024.

Parametric Portfolio Associates, part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM), announces the expansion of its Custom Active platform with Lazard Asset Management as a new partner. The platform now offers several new tax-optimized active equity strategies from multiple partners including Capital Group, MSIM investment teams, and Lazard. The Custom Active solution provides tax efficiency, personalization, and flexibility through separately managed accounts (SMAs). The platform operates within Parametric's $42 billion Centralized Portfolio Management business, with $4 billion in tax-managed model strategies, available to retail investors through select intermediaries and RIAs.

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund (NYSE American: EIM) has announced it will conduct a tender offer for up to 5% of its outstanding common shares. This decision follows the Fund meeting the First Trigger Event conditions, where shares traded at an average discount to NAV of more than 7.5% during the measurement period of July 9, 2024, through November 8, 2024. The tender offer is expected to commence around December 10, 2024, and expire near January 9, 2025. Shareholders will be able to tender their shares at 98% of NAV per share. If the tender offer is oversubscribed, shares will be purchased on a pro-rata basis.

Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital has announced a $20 million investment in NovoPayment, a financial and payment infrastructure service provider. NovoPayment specializes in digital banking, payments, and card solutions through its vertical-focused SaaS platform. The company serves 15 markets across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States, offering solutions including digital wallets, instant account issuance, virtual cards, RTP, cross-border transfers, digital lending, and cash management. The funding will support NovoPayment's scaling efforts and expansion of commercial partnerships.

A federal court ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe on November 7, 2024, has upheld that Morgan Stanley's deferred compensation plans are governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act). This decision reinforces protections against deferred compensation forfeiture for financial advisors. Law firm KlaymanToskes announces it's representing multiple financial advisors seeking to recover unpaid deferred compensation through FINRA arbitration claims. The firm, which has recovered over $250 million in FINRA arbitrations, urges advisors with deferred compensation losses exceeding $100,000 to contact them for potential claims.