TL;DR
Co-President Simkowitz and Technology Head Pizzi dispose of $6.6 million in MS shares near 52-week highs.
July 21, 2025
Two senior executives at Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) executed substantial share sales totaling $6.6 million on July 17, 2025, as the investment banking giant’s stock continued trading near its 52-week high of $145.16.
Executive Transaction Details
Co-President Daniel Simkowitz Leads Sales
Co-President Daniel A. Simkowitz disposed of $4.09 million worth of Morgan Stanley shares in the largest single-day transaction.
Simkowitz sold 29,000 shares at a weighted average price of $141.13, with individual transaction prices ranging from $140.77 to $141.64.
The executive simultaneously executed a gift transaction involving 7,559 additional shares without monetary consideration.
Following these transactions, Simkowitz directly owns 391,546 shares of Morgan Stanley common stock and maintains an additional 1,773 shares through a 401(k) plan.
Technology Executive Joins Selling Activity
Michael Pizzi
Head of Technology & Operations Michael A. Pizzi participated in coordinated selling activity on the same trading day, disposing of $2.53 million in shares.
Pizzi sold 18,000 shares at weighted average prices ranging from $140.59 to $140.65, demonstrating systematic execution throughout the trading session.
Pizzi also completed a gift transaction involving 750 shares without monetary consideration. Following these transactions, he directly owns 135,657 shares of Morgan Stanley common stock.
Transaction Timing and Market Context
Both executives executed their sales as Morgan Stanley trades near multi-year highs, with the stock showing strong momentum and gaining nearly 14% year-to-date.
The coordinated timing suggests systematic execution designed to capture premium valuations while the stock maintains elevated levels.
The sales occurred following Morgan Stanley’s strong second-quarter 2025 financial results, which saw earnings per share of $2.13 surpassing forecasted $1.98, and revenue reaching $16.8 billion, exceeding expectations of $16.01 billion.
Despite positive fundamentals, the stock has experienced some volatility amid broader market concerns.
Strategic Developments and Analyst Sentiment
Recent analyst coverage has been generally positive:
- Evercore ISI raised its price target for Morgan Stanley to $150 from $146, maintaining an Outperform rating due to strong performances in Wealth and Investment Management divisions.
- Citizens JMP reiterated a Market Perform rating, citing valuation concerns despite acknowledging the company’s potential for expanded returns.
The insider selling comes as Morgan Stanley pursues strategic initiatives including hiring Ashish Kumbhat from Bank of America to co-lead its bank advisory group, anticipating increased U.S. bank merger and acquisition activity.
The firm is also involved in Via Transportation’s revived IPO plans alongside Goldman Sachs and Allen & Co.
Investment Implications
The $6.6 million in combined executive sales, while substantial, represents routine portfolio management at current premium valuations. Both executives retain significant ownership positions, indicating continued alignment with shareholder interests despite the recent dispositions.
Investors typically view insider selling patterns as one component of their analysis, particularly when executed near historical highs, though such transactions often reflect personal financial planning rather than fundamental business outlook.