Quick verdict: GS vs MS in 2026

In this gs vs ms stock comparison 2026, Morgan Stanley (MS) emerges with a strong lead, dominating seven out of eight comparable metrics across growth, profitability, and analyst sentiment. While Goldman Sachs (GS) shows a more favorable discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation, MS demonstrates superior revenue growth, stronger margins, and greater analyst confidence, making it the overall preferred choice for many metrics. Specifically, MS leads as the growth leader, margin leader, analyst favourite, and is seen to offer the most potential price target upside, whereas GS offers a more attractive valuation by DCF. This is not investment advice.

GS vs MS: key metrics side by side

Full side-by-side comparison of GS and MS across valuation, profitability, growth and analyst sentiment. Data updated 2026-03-28.

GS vs MS valuation comparison

When examining gs vs ms fundamentals and valuation, both The Goldman Sachs Group (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) present a unique challenge due to their P/E and P/B ratios currently standing at 0x. This absence of standard trailing valuation metrics makes a direct comparison on these fronts inconclusive for the current period, requiring investors to look at other data points to assess which is cheaper.

However, the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model offers a distinct perspective. GS shows a DCF upside of +8.8%, indicating that its current price of $802.89 is below its calculated intrinsic value of $873.18, suggesting potential undervaluation. In stark contrast, MS’s DCF calculation points to a significant downside of -77.4%, with an intrinsic value of just $35.73 against its current price of $158.34. This suggests that, based on future cash flow projections, MS appears considerably overvalued compared to its fair value. Therefore, for investors prioritizing intrinsic value based on DCF, GS currently appears to be the more attractively valued stock.

GS vs MS growth comparison

In terms of growth, Morgan Stanley (MS) clearly demonstrates stronger momentum in this gs vs ms stock comparison 2026. MS reported a robust revenue growth rate of +11.5% year-over-year, significantly outperforming Goldman Sachs (GS), which experienced a -1.4% revenue decline. This substantial difference highlights MS’s ability to expand its top line effectively in the current market environment, indicative of a more dynamic business strategy or favorable market positioning within its segments.

Beyond top-line expansion, MS also exhibits superior profitability margins, which often accompany healthy growth. MS’s net margin stands at 14.66% and its EBITDA margin at 23.14%, both higher than GS’s respective margins of 13.73% and 19.21%. These stronger margins suggest that MS is not only growing revenue but also managing its costs more efficiently or commanding better pricing power. When considering analyst forward estimates, MS also shows a higher target upside of +23.8% compared to GS’s +14.0%, further reinforcing the perception that MS has stronger growth momentum and better future prospects in the eyes of market analysts.

GS vs MS profitability

Examining the profitability of GS vs MS reveals that Morgan Stanley (MS) generally maintains a slight edge. MS’s net profit margin stands at 14.66%, marginally outperforming Goldman Sachs (GS), which reported a net margin of 13.73%. This indicates that for every dollar of revenue, MS retains slightly more as profit after all expenses, showcasing its operational efficiency or more profitable business mix. Furthermore, MS’s EBITDA margin of 23.14% is also higher than GS’s 19.21%, reinforcing its superior operational profitability before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Both companies currently show an ‘N/A%’ for Return on Equity (ROE), which means this metric cannot be used for direct comparison. However, looking at Free Cash Flow (FCF) yield, MS registers a less negative FCF yield of -7.12% compared to GS’s -19.82%. While both companies are currently consuming cash rather than generating positive free cash flow, MS’s less negative figure suggests it is burning cash at a slower rate relative to its market capitalization. This implies that MS is currently managing its cash flows more effectively or has fewer capital-intensive activities that drain cash, thus generating more effective cash for its size.

Analyst ratings: GS vs MS

When considering analyst sentiment for GS vs MS stock comparison 2026, Morgan Stanley (MS) receives a more favorable outlook from the analyst community. Out of 51 analysts covering MS, a significant 52.9% have issued a “Buy” rating, contributing to a consensus rating of “Buy” for the stock. Their average price target for MS is $196, representing an attractive upside potential of +23.8% from its current price of $158.34. This widespread positive sentiment suggests that analysts anticipate strong performance and growth for MS in the near to medium term.

In contrast, The Goldman Sachs Group (GS), while still having considerable analyst coverage with 55 analysts, sees a lower percentage of “Buy” ratings at 40.0%. This leads to a more cautious “Hold” consensus among analysts. The average price target for GS is $915.15, implying an upside of +14.0% from its current price of $802.89. Although this is a respectable upside, it is less pronounced than MS’s, and the “Hold” consensus indicates that many analysts believe GS is fairly valued at its current levels or see fewer immediate catalysts for significant appreciation. Overall, analysts clearly prefer MS based on their current ratings and price targets.

Should I buy GS or MS stock in 2026?

For investors focused on growth, Morgan Stanley (MS) appears to be the more compelling option in this gs vs ms stock comparison 2026. MS has demonstrated superior year-over-year revenue growth of +11.5%, vastly outperforming GS’s -1.4% decline. Furthermore, MS boasts higher net and EBITDA margins, indicating more efficient operations and better profitability alongside its growth. Analysts also favor MS, giving it a “Buy” consensus with a higher average price target upside of +23.8% compared to GS’s +14.0%. These factors collectively position MS as a stock with stronger momentum and better future prospects for growth-oriented portfolios.

When evaluating which stock is best for value investors, The Goldman Sachs Group (GS) presents a more attractive proposition primarily due to its discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation. While both GS and MS currently show P/E and P/B ratios of 0x, rendering them non-indicative for direct valuation comparison, GS’s DCF model suggests an +8.8% upside from its current price. This implies that GS is trading below its intrinsic value as calculated by future cash flow projections. Conversely, MS shows a significant -77.4% DCF downside, suggesting it may be substantially overvalued. Therefore, for those prioritizing intrinsic value and potential for price appreciation based on DCF analysis, GS might represent a more prudent value investment.

For income-focused investors, the choice between GS and MS in 2026 is essentially a tie, though neither stock currently offers a substantial dividend yield. Both companies currently have a dividend yield of 0.02%. This extremely low yield means that neither GS nor MS is a strong candidate for investors seeking significant income generation from their stock holdings. Any investment decision purely based on dividend income would find both stocks equally, and minimally, attractive. Investors should instead focus on capital appreciation or growth potential when considering these two financial giants. This is not investment advice.

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FAQ: GS vs MS