Morgan Stanley profit beats estimates on dealmaking boost, shares soar

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley's profit exceeded estimates in Q3, driven by a surge in dealmaking, with the investment banking pipeline at "all-time highs" [1][2] - The company's shares rose by 6.7% and have increased by 32% this year [1] Financial Performance - Q3 profit reached $4.6 billion, or $2.80 per share, surpassing expectations of $2.10 per share [6] - Total quarterly revenue was a record $18.2 billion, exceeding expectations of $16.7 billion [6] - Investment banking revenue rose by 44%, contributing significantly to the record revenue [3] Business Segments - The equities business maintained its number one position, with strong performance noted in Q3 [2][4] - Wealth management assets reached $8.9 trillion, approaching the goal of $10 trillion, with a pre-tax margin of 30.3% [3] Market Conditions - Global mergers and acquisitions activity surpassed $3 trillion this year, supported by a resilient U.S. economy and favorable market conditions [4] - The CFO indicated improved GDP expectations and lower debt costs for companies, contributing to a positive outlook for deal-making [5]