Morgan Stanley Looking To Improve Its Performance (MS, GS)

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has restructured its operations in a big way. The financial firm has augmented its trading unit and has reorganized its top management. However, it is yet to be seen whether these changes are going to bear any fruit in the form of increased earnings. Morgan Stanley (MS) is scheduled to report its first-quarter earnings later this month.

Morgan Stanley appointed Co-President James Gorman as its Chief Executive Officer in 2009. The financial firm is trailing behind Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS). Goldman Sachs (GS) posted stupendous results in 2009 on the strength of a stellar performance by its trading desk, whereas Morgan Stanley adopted a defensive strategy and recorded a full-year loss. According to Reuters, the Market has pegged its profit estimate at 58 cents per share for Morgan Stanley.