What is Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards?

Morgan Stanley (MS) reported deferred cash-based awards of $237.50M in Q4 2025.

How has Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards changed year-over-year?

Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards increased by 23.4% year-over-year, from $192.50M to $237.50M.

What is the long-term trend for Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards?

Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards has grown at a 4.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $810.00M to $950.00M.

What does deferred cash-based awards mean?

The amount of employee compensation that is earned but held for future payment in cash.

Other

Deferred cash-based awards

Morgan Stanley Deferred cash-based awards remained flat by 0.0% to $237.50M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 23.4%, from $192.50M to $237.50M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Deferred cash-based awards shows an upward trend with a 4.1% CAGR.

Analysis

StatementCash Flow Statement

SectionOther

CategoryLiquidity

SignalContext dependent

VolatilityModerate

First reportedQ1 2015

Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 19, 2026

How to read this metric

An increase suggests a higher commitment to deferred compensation as a retention strategy, while a decrease may indicate changes in compensation mix or payout cycles.

Detailed definition

This metric represents the value of compensation that has been earned by employees but is deferred for payment to a futu...

Peer comparison

Comparable to deferred cash bonus liabilities at other major investment banks.

Metric ID: other_deferred_compensation_arrangement_with_individual__5bec79

Historical Data

5 years

	FY'21	FY'22	FY'23	FY'24	FY'25
Value	$810.00M	$761.00M	$693.00M	$770.00M	$950.00M
YoY Change	—	-6.0%	-8.9%	+11.1%	+23.4%

Range$693.00M – $950.00M

CAGR+4.1%

Avg YoY Growth+4.9%

Median YoY Growth+2.5%

Current Streak2 years growth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards?: Morgan Stanley (MS) reported deferred cash-based awards of $237.50M in Q4 2025.
How has Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards changed year-over-year?: Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards increased by 23.4% year-over-year, from $192.50M to $237.50M.
What is the long-term trend for Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards?: Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Morgan Stanley's deferred cash-based awards has grown at a 4.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $810.00M to $950.00M.
What does deferred cash-based awards mean?: The amount of employee compensation that is earned but held for future payment in cash.