Form 4: Morgan Stanley Director Douglas L. Peterson Receives Equity Grant

Morgan Stanley Director Douglas L. Peterson was granted 2,155.455 restricted stock units, increasing his beneficial ownership to 9,655.455 shares of common stock.

Summary

• Douglas L. Peterson, a Director at Morgan Stanley (MS), acquired 2,155.455 shares of common stock on June 1, 2025.
• The acquisition was a grant of restricted stock units (RSUs) under the Morgan Stanley Directors' Equity Capital Accumulation Plan.
• These RSUs are convertible into shares of Common Stock at a 1-to-1 ratio.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Peterson's total beneficial ownership of Morgan Stanley common stock increased to 9,655.455 shares.
• The transaction was reported as an acquisition (A) with a price of $0, typical for equity grants.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is positive as the equity grant aligns the director's interests with shareholders, which is generally viewed favorably. However, it's a routine compensation event, so the positive impact is moderate rather than transformative.

Positives

• The grant of restricted stock units to Director Douglas L. Peterson aligns his interests more closely with those of Morgan Stanley's shareholders, promoting long-term value creation.
• Equity compensation is a standard practice that helps retain experienced board members and incentivizes performance.

Future Outlook

This Form 4 filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding Morgan Stanley's future financial performance or strategic outlook.

Industry Context

The granting of restricted stock units to non-employee directors is a common and widely accepted practice within the financial services industry, including major investment banks like Morgan Stanley. It serves as a key component of director compensation, aiming to align the interests of the board with long-term shareholder value.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of restricted stock units (RSUs) as a form of director compensation is a standard practice across major financial institutions and publicly traded companies globally, including peers like Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America.
• The grant price of $0 for RSUs is typical, as these represent a future right to receive shares, often vesting over time, rather than a direct purchase.
• The Morgan Stanley Directors' Equity Capital Accumulation Plan is a common mechanism for such grants, comparable to similar plans at other large corporations designed to provide equity incentives to non-executive directors.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The grant of restricted stock units to Douglas L. Peterson, a Director of Morgan Stanley, constitutes a related party transaction as it involves compensation from the company to a member of its board.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity grant aligns the director's financial interests with those of the shareholders, potentially leading to more shareholder-centric decision-making.
• Employees: No direct impact on general employees is indicated by this filing.

Key Dates

Keywords

Morgan Stanley, MS, Douglas L. Peterson, Director, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Restricted Stock Units, Equity Compensation, Corporate Governance, Stock Grant