Morgan Stanley Upgraded to Strong Buy, Citing Bullish Q2 Earnings Outlook

Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) from hold to strong buy. The firm anticipates positive momentum before the second-quarter earnings report on July 15, 2026.

Bank of America raised its price target for the stock from $225.00 to $250.00. UBS also increased its price target following recent positive analyst actions. Bank of America maintained its buy rating for the company.

Analysts expect robust trading and advisory activities to drive strong second-quarter earnings. This sentiment reflects broader optimism for major U.S. banks.