Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) topped expectations in the third quarter although profits fell reflecting a continued slump in deal-making.
The investment bank reported revenue in the quarter ended September of $13.27 billion, up 2% from last year’s $12.99 billion, with diluted EPS of $1.38, down from $1.47.
Both figures were ahead of the FactSet consensus of $13.22 and $1.28 respectively.
Net income fell 8.6% to $2.44 billion from $2.66 billion.
James Gorman, chairman and chief executive said, “While the market environment remained mixed this quarter, the firm delivered solid results with an ROTCE of 13.5%.”
“Our Equity and Fixed Income businesses navigated markets well, and both Wealth and Investment Management produced higher revenues and profits year-over-year,” he added.
Institutional Securities net revenues of $5.67 billion, down from $5.82 billion, reflected solid results in Equity and Fixed Income and muted completed activity in Investment Banking, the bank said.
Wealth Management delivered a pre-tax margin of 26.7% and net revenue of $6.40 billion, up from $6.12 billion, reflecting increased asset management revenues on higher average asset levels compared to a year ago.
But Investment Banking revenue dropped 27% to $938 million from $1.28 billion as advisory revenue decreased driven by fewer completed M&A transactions.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) said its common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.5% while provisions for bad debts rose to $134 million from $35 million.
Shares fell 2.9% in pre-market trading.