Compare Stocks › MS vs WSM
Morgan Stanley (MS) vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM)
MS
Morgan Stanley
$158.55
VS
WSM
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
$182.58
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.
WSM
- ★Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Williams-Sonoma, Inc. scores 80/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with margin stability as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Return on equity has consistently exceeded 20% over 4 years, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
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.
WSM
- ⚠Buybacks have been poorly timed — 3 out of 4 years involved repurchases at relatively expensive valuations.
- ⚠FCF yield of 5.2% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
- ⚠Insiders have sold $11.1M worth of stock in the past 3 months — significant insider liquidation.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →MS
WSM
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$1.14B
N/A
FCF Yield
5.22%
15.53
Trailing P/E
20.13
12.89
Forward P/E
18.10
Quality & Moat
3.43%
ROIC
35.32%
14.42%
ROE
52.26%
87.06%
Gross Margin
56.66%
0.75
PEG Ratio
N/A
Balance Sheet Safety
4.56
Debt / Equity
0.70
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
0.27
2.52%
Dividend Yield
1.67%
MS: 4Ties: 1WSM: 3
MSWSM
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →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.
WSM
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 →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
WSM
$5.55
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$2.47B
Δ Market Cap
+$13.72B
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 →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
WSM
18.0% Margin of Safety
Price is 18.0% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $182.58
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $222.78
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →MS
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
WSM
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $183?
+7.5%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +7.4%
The market implies +7.5% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +7.4%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →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.
WSM
80/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by margin stability. Revenue Predictability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
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 →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.
WSM
-2.74
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
Learn more →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.
WSM
Insiders 1.1%Institutions 97.6%Retail & Other 1.3%
No. of Institutional Holders1,325
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 →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
WSM
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
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 →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
WSM
3
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $62.39M
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$3.66M
@ $183.04 · 2026-03-16
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$7.26M
@ $207.39 · 2026-01-15
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$157,358
@ $205.16 · 2026-01-14
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.39M
@ $179.55 · 2025-11-26
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$695,765
@ $198.79 · 2025-09-24
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$626,951
@ $198.84 · 2025-09-18
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$18.02M
@ $200.17 · 2025-09-15
KING DAVID RANDOLPH
General Counsel
$3.56M
@ $203.60 · 2025-09-08
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.05M
@ $168.18 · 2025-07-15
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$675,852
@ $168.96 · 2025-07-01
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$628,448
@ $157.11 · 2025-06-02
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$4.93M
@ $164.33 · 2025-05-29
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$627,134
@ $156.78 · 2025-05-01
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$129,647
@ $141.69 · 2025-04-22
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$6.02M
@ $165.79 · 2025-03-27
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$4.97M
@ $165.78 · 2025-03-27
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$273,603
@ $194.32 · 2025-02-27
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$9.35M
@ $207.76 · 2025-01-21
HOWIE JEFFREY E.
Chief Financial Officer
$560,562
@ $177.39 · 2024-12-02
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.22M
@ $130.49 · 2024-11-15
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$5.81M
@ $145.27 · 2024-09-16
YEAROUT KARALYN
Officer
$1.49M
@ $134.66 · 2024-08-28
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$6.26M
@ $156.45 · 2024-07-15
BHARGAVA MONICA
Officer
$2.66M
@ $298.28 · 2024-06-06
KING DAVID RANDOLPH
General Counsel
$2.88M
@ $287.85 · 2024-05-24
ALBER LAURA
Chief Executive Officer
$6.37M
@ $318.53 · 2024-05-15
BENSON MARTA H
Officer
$5.49M
@ $308.19 · 2024-04-04
BENSON MARTA H
Officer
$685,722
@ $313.98 · 2024-03-27
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 →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.
WSM
😨Fear(39/100)
"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
Learn more →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)
WSM
⚪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 (39)