New York, Jan 22, 2026, 19:03 EST — Trading after hours.
Key points
- Morgan Stanley shares barely moved in after-hours trading following a Reuters report about SpaceX’s IPO plans.
- Recent insider-sale filings have drawn focus to executives’ moves with stock hovering near recent highs.
- Next week’s Fed decision is in focus as traders eye the rate trajectory and shifts in risk appetite.
Morgan Stanley (MS) shares remained flat in after-hours trading Thursday, following a Reuters report that SpaceX is considering the bank to lead its potential 2026 initial public offering (IPO), the company’s first-ever public share sale. Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase are also reportedly in the running, according to someone familiar with the situation. All the banks declined to comment. The stock last traded at $183.05, down 0.15% from its previous close.
For Morgan Stanley, this comes as investors look for signs that the M&A and share sale markets are genuinely picking up—not just promises on pitch decks. A senior position on a deal this large won’t instantly boost earnings, but it could hint at a fatter fee pool in 2026.
The mood has been volatile. Wall Street’s key indexes added gains for a second day after President Donald Trump softened his stance on tariffs against European allies, boosted by signs of a sturdy U.S. economy. “You don’t know whether it is Christmas morning or Friday the 13th,” said Gregg Abella, CEO at Investment Partners Asset Management. Reuters
Regulatory filings revealed fresh activity for traders to digest. CFO Sharon Yeshaya offloaded 15,838 shares on Jan. 20, fetching a weighted average price of $185.77. Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Eric Grossman sold 21,555 shares around $184 and also reported a gift of 2,495 shares. Meanwhile, technology and operations head Michael Pizzi sold 20,000 shares at $184.55, according to filings.
The bank is still riding high off last week’s strong earnings, beating Wall Street expectations as investment banking revenue soared 47% to $2.41 billion. It posted earnings of $2.68 a share. “We are seeing an accelerating pipeline in M&A and IPOs …,” Yeshaya told Reuters. Still, CEO Ted Pick flagged geopolitical risks and a “complicated” macro backdrop. Reuters
Morgan Stanley’s stock swung sharply on Tuesday, dropping 3.7% amid a broad market selloff. It now trades roughly 5.5% below its 52-week high reached just last week, according to MarketWatch data.
Before Friday’s session, traders are eyeing if financials can maintain pace with the broader bounce and if bond yields hold steady. Next week’s packed schedule for major firms often sways appetite for new deals.
There’s a downside risk, though. SpaceX might shift its timeline, switch bankers, or opt to stay private. And if markets turn sour, the IPO window can slam shut quickly. For firms like Morgan Stanley, rising volatility usually means deal prospects start to evaporate as boards become more cautious.
The Federal Reserve’s rate decision on Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. EST looms as the next major event, with Chair Jerome Powell speaking 30 minutes afterward. Changes to the anticipated rate trajectory could steer risk assets and influence companies’ appetite for listings and transactions.
