Compare StocksMS vs RCL

Morgan Stanley (MS) vs Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL)

MS
Morgan Stanley
$158.55
VS
RCL
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
$272.00

Rewards

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.
RCL
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $7.94 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
  • PEG ratio of 0.47 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.

Risks

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.
RCL
  • Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. scores only 28/100 on the Economic Moat Score, suggesting limited durable competitive advantages.
  • High leverage (2.15x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
  • 6 insider sales totaling $77.1M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

Key Valuation Metrics

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MS
RCL
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$-197.62M
N/A
FCF Yield
-0.27%
15.53
Trailing P/E
17.42
12.89
Forward P/E
13.13
Quality & Moat
3.43%
ROIC
9.65%
14.42%
ROE
41.66%
87.06%
Gross Margin
50.62%
0.75
PEG Ratio
0.47
Balance Sheet Safety
4.56
Debt / Equity
2.15
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
3.20
2.52%
Dividend Yield
1.56%
MS: 3Ties: 2RCL: 4
MSRCL

Historical Fundamentals

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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.

RCL

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

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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
RCL
$7.94
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$7.91B
Δ Market Cap
+$62.81B
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

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

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MS
45.5% Margin of Safety
Price is 45.5% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $158.55
Fair Value: $290.92
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
RCL
35.1% Margin of Safety
Price is 35.1% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $272.00
Fair Value: $419.21
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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MS

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

RCL

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

Economic Moat Score

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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.
RCL
28/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

No durable competitive advantage detected. The business shows limited evidence of pricing power, consistent returns, or capital efficiency.

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.

Forensic Accounting

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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.
RCL
-2.85
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.

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

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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.
RCL
Insiders 0.3%Institutions 91.0%Retail & Other 8.7%
No. of Institutional Holders1,631
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

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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
RCL
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
HOLTZ NAFTALI
Chief Financial Officer
$749,000
@ $140.00 · 2024-08-02
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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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
RCL
6
Sells (3M)
14
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $94.34M
MONTIEL MARITZA GOMEZ
Director
$453,137
@ $327.17 · 2026-02-17
BETHGE LAURA H
Officer
$2.56M
@ $326.21 · 2026-02-17
BAYLEY MICHAEL W
Officer
$26.15M
@ $326.82 · 2026-02-13
LIBERTY JASON T
Chief Executive Officer
$29.71M
@ $326.81 · 2026-02-13
HOLTZ NAFTALI
Chief Financial Officer
$16.74M
@ $327.39 · 2026-02-13
PUJOL HENRY L
Officer
$1.46M
@ $327.99 · 2026-02-13
MONTIEL MARITZA GOMEZ
Director
$309,936
@ $281.76 · 2025-11-03
SORENSEN VAGN O
Director
$3.40M
@ $330.04 · 2025-08-19
FAIN RICHARD DAVID
Director
$4.98M
@ $311.02 · 2025-08-06
PUJOL HENRY L
Officer
$1.72M
@ $329.47 · 2025-07-30
LAKE ROBERT ALEXANDER
Officer
$860,270
@ $299.85 · 2025-06-27
LAKE ROBERT ALEXANDER
Officer
$687,500
@ $275.00 · 2025-06-06
FAIN RICHARD DAVID
Director
$4.96M
@ $253.10 · 2025-05-19
MONTIEL MARITZA GOMEZ
Director
$363,735
@ $242.49 · 2025-05-12
BAYLEY MICHAEL W
Officer
$12.88M
@ $262.07 · 2025-02-18
LIBERTY JASON T
Chief Executive Officer
$15.19M
@ $261.95 · 2025-02-18
HOLTZ NAFTALI
Chief Financial Officer
$4.45M
@ $261.62 · 2025-02-18
BETHGE LAURA H
Officer
$3.93M
@ $261.86 · 2025-02-18
FAIN RICHARD DAVID
Director
$5.01M
@ $256.68 · 2025-02-13
KULOVAARA HARRI U
Officer
$763,923
@ $234.62 · 2024-11-20
KULOVAARA HARRI U
Officer
$4.06M
@ $209.58 · 2024-11-05
PUJOL HENRY L
Officer
$1.40M
@ $208.51 · 2024-10-30
BETHGE LAURA H
Officer
$518,446
@ $168.71 · 2024-08-29
SORENSEN VAGN O
Director
$919,300
@ $158.50 · 2024-08-15
FAIN RICHARD DAVID
Director
$3.02M
@ $156.25 · 2024-07-30
FAIN RICHARD DAVID
Director
$3.02M
@ $153.96 · 2024-06-13
LAKE ROBERT ALEXANDER
Officer
$1.15M
@ $148.78 · 2024-06-03
BAYLEY MICHAEL W
Officer
$7.26M
@ $147.67 · 2024-05-20
BAYLEY MICHAEL W
Officer
$3.39M
@ $140.21 · 2024-05-15
PUJOL HENRY L
Officer
$1.40M
@ $141.23 · 2024-04-30
LIBERTY JASON T
Chief Executive Officer
$6.98M
@ $139.63 · 2024-04-26
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

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MS
FearGreed
😐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.
RCL
FearGreed
😨Fear(38/100)

"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.

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

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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)
RCL
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 (38)
View MS Full AnalysisView RCL Full Analysis