Compare Stocks › BBY vs MS
Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY) vs Morgan Stanley (MS)
BBY
Best Buy Co., Inc.
$64.19
VS
MS
Morgan Stanley
$158.55
Rewards
BBY
- ★Best Buy Co., Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Best Buy Co., Inc. scores 76/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
MS
- ★Gross margin of 87.1% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $6.65 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
- ★PEG ratio of 0.75 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
Risks
BBY
- ⚠Gross margin of 22.5% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
- ⚠FCF yield of 6.2% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
- ⚠8 insider sales with no purchases over the past 12 months — a persistent pattern of insider selling.
MS
- ⚠High leverage (4.56x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.29 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
- ⚠7 insider sales totaling $25.2M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →BBY
MS
Valuation
$842.50M
Free Cash Flow
N/A
6.25%
FCF Yield
N/A
12.74
Trailing P/E
15.53
9.10
Forward P/E
12.89
Quality & Moat
23.28%
ROIC
3.43%
36.07%
ROE
14.42%
22.48%
Gross Margin
87.06%
0.03
PEG Ratio
0.75
Balance Sheet Safety
1.39
Debt / Equity
4.56
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.86
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
5.98%
Dividend Yield
2.52%
BBY: 7Ties: 1MS: 1
BBYMS
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →BBY
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
MS
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →BBY
$-3.44
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Market Cap Declined
Σ Retained
$1.19B
Δ Market Cap
$-4.09B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
MS
$6.65
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$20.84B
Δ Market Cap
+$138.59B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →BBY
18.9% Margin of Safety
Price is 18.9% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $64.19
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $79.17
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
MS
45.5% Margin of Safety
Price is 45.5% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $158.55
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $290.92
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →BBY
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $64?
+6.8%
Market-Implied FCF Growth Rate
Market pricing in significantly higher growth than history — aggressive.
MS
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →BBY
76/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
MS
32/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
No durable moat detected, though revenue predictability shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →BBY
-2.84
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
MS
-2.09
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →BBY
Insiders 7.6%Institutions 100.2%
No. of Institutional Holders1,293
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
MS
Insiders 24.0%Institutions 62.7%Retail & Other 13.3%
No. of Institutional Holders3,182
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →BBY
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
BARRY CORIE S
Chief Executive Officer
$984,420
@ $72.92 · 2025-03-12
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
MS
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $5,630
PETERSON DOUGLAS L
Director
$5,630
@ $156.39 · 2025-10-17
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →BBY
0
Sells (3M)
8
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $6.62M
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$154,908
@ $76.76 · 2025-09-04
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$275,176
@ $74.07 · 2025-08-29
BILUNAS MATTHEW M.
Chief Financial Officer
$4.47M
@ $73.96 · 2025-03-24
HARMON DAMIEN D
Officer
$294,002
@ $72.65 · 2025-03-21
BONFIG JASON J
Officer
$353,573
@ $72.65 · 2025-03-21
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$214,381
@ $72.65 · 2025-03-21
SCARLETT KATHLEEN
Officer
$497,414
@ $72.65 · 2025-03-21
HARTMAN TODD G.
General Counsel
$355,462
@ $72.65 · 2025-03-21
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$226,837
@ $71.29 · 2025-03-14
BILUNAS MATTHEW M.
Chief Financial Officer
$6.05M
@ $87.46 · 2024-12-11
BARRY CORIE S
Chief Executive Officer
$7.72M
@ $96.66 · 2024-09-11
SCARLETT KATHLEEN
Officer
$4.00M
@ $99.60 · 2024-08-30
BONFIG JASON J
Officer
$2.52M
@ $101.00 · 2024-08-29
BONFIG JASON J
Officer
$290,570
@ $83.02 · 2024-07-08
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$204,350
@ $88.12 · 2024-06-06
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$171,628
@ $85.81 · 2024-06-03
HARMON DAMIEN D
Officer
$5,985
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
BONFIG JASON J
Officer
$7,197
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
BILUNAS MATTHEW M.
Chief Financial Officer
$8,409
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$2,046
@ $75.78 · 2024-04-17
SCARLETT KATHLEEN
Officer
$5,379
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
HARTMAN TODD G.
General Counsel
$4,091
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
BARRY CORIE S
Chief Executive Officer
$27,729
@ $75.76 · 2024-04-17
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$290,154
@ $82.43 · 2024-04-09
HARMON DAMIEN D
Officer
$482,427
@ $81.80 · 2024-03-22
BONFIG JASON J
Officer
$582,135
@ $81.79 · 2024-03-22
BILUNAS MATTHEW M.
Chief Financial Officer
$675,463
@ $81.79 · 2024-03-22
WATSON MATHEW
Officer
$204,896
@ $81.79 · 2024-03-22
SCARLETT KATHLEEN
Officer
$416,827
@ $81.79 · 2024-03-22
HARTMAN TODD G.
General Counsel
$324,972
@ $81.80 · 2024-03-22
BARRY CORIE S
Chief Executive Officer
$2.29M
@ $81.79 · 2024-03-22
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
MS
7
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $62.45M
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$6.02M
@ $182.61 · 2026-01-30
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$3.97M
@ $184.00 · 2026-01-20
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.44M
@ $183.45 · 2026-01-20
YESHAYA SHARON
Chief Financial Officer
$2.94M
@ $185.77 · 2026-01-20
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.55M
@ $182.08 · 2026-01-20
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$3.69M
@ $184.55 · 2026-01-20
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$5.57M
@ $183.62 · 2026-01-20
PICK EDWARD N.
Chief Executive Officer
$16.43M
@ $164.34 · 2025-10-31
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.69M
@ $141.12 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.09M
@ $141.13 · 2025-07-17
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$2.81M
@ $140.30 · 2025-07-17
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.53M
@ $140.62 · 2025-07-17
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$3.70M
@ $127.37 · 2025-05-12
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$95,459
@ $119.32 · 2025-05-02
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.80M
@ $120.00 · 2025-05-02
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.12M
@ $111.65 · 2025-04-15
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$1.15M
@ $138.06 · 2025-01-22
GROSSMAN ERIC F
Officer
$1.78M
@ $136.20 · 2025-01-21
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$5.00M
@ $136.61 · 2025-01-21
AKRAM RAJA
Chief Financial Officer
$2.38M
@ $136.01 · 2025-01-21
PIZZI MICHAEL A
Officer
$2.52M
@ $136.92 · 2025-01-21
SAPERSTEIN ANDREW MICHAEL
President
$4.20M
@ $136.43 · 2025-01-21
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$368,375
@ $105.25 · 2024-07-26
AKRAM RAJA
Officer
$797,764
@ $106.37 · 2024-07-18
SIMKOWITZ DANIEL A
President
$4.26M
@ $106.54 · 2024-07-17
HERZ ROBERT H
Director
$106,621
@ $106.62 · 2024-07-17
CRAWLEY MANDELL L.
Officer
$692,663
@ $99.61 · 2024-05-14
GORMAN JAMES P
Officer and Director
$9.02M
@ $90.21 · 2024-04-18
SMITH CHARLES AUBREY III
Officer
$1.01M
@ $90.09 · 2024-04-17
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →BBY
😨Fear(37/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
MS
😐Neutral(48/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →BBY
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (37)
MS
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (48)