MS technical analysis

MS Technical Analysis

Analysis date

August 4, 2026

Market

NYSE (USD)

Daily cutoff

August 3, 2026

Reliability

Passed

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Data verification

MS Data Verification

Checking the latest completed daily bar for date and closing-price consistency before indicators are calculated.

Symbol
MS
Market
NYSE
Currency
USD (US Dollar)
Latest completed bar
August 3, 2026

Historical prices are adjusted for corporate actions when applicable. Date and closing-price consistency checks passed for the latest completed daily bar.

Validation seriesLatest CloseDateDifferenceStatus
Calculation series211.23August 3, 2026-Verified
Verification series211.23August 3, 20260.00%Verified

Bottom line

MS Technical Analysis Summary

MS (Morgan Stanley) is digesting a pullback from its recent high within a broader uptrend. The stock closed at 211.23 on August 3, 2026, about 9% below the 52-week high of 230.98 reached on July 15, after dipping to a 20-day low of 201.83 on July 29. The daily trend is mixed: price sits below SMA20 (215.54) and SMA50 (213.53) but well above SMA200 (182.66). RSI14 at 47.82 is near neutral and the daily MACD histogram is negative at -1.13, reflecting near-term weakness that has so far unfolded on below-average volume. The weekly picture remains bullish, with price above SMA20 (196.84), SMA50 (177.33), and SMA200 (115.34), RSI14 at 61.77, and a positive MACD histogram. Key support rests at 201.83 (20-day low) and 185.43 (60-day low), with SMA200 at 182.66 nearby. Resistance stands at 215.54 (SMA20) and 230.98, which is both the 20-day high and the 52-week high. A daily close above 215.54 would signal a short-term trend improvement, while a break below 201.83 would open a deeper pullback toward the 185.43 to 182.66 zone.

Multi-timeframe dashboard

Multi-Timeframe Technical Dashboard

Comparing daily (2-year) and weekly (5-year) perspectives to identify aligned or conflicting signals.

Daily (August 3, 2026)

Trend
Mixed. Price at 211.23 is below SMA20 (215.54) and SMA50 (213.53) but above SMA200 (182.66). The stock peaked at 230.98 on July 15 and pulled back to a 20-day low of 201.83 on July 29 before stabilizing to close at 211.23 on August 3. SMA20 and SMA50 have flattened near price, so the short-term trend remains neutral until price reclaims those averages.
Momentum
Neutral-to-bearish. RSI14 at 47.82 sits just below the 50 midline, indicating a loss of upside momentum without oversold readings. The MACD line at -1.27 is below zero and below the signal line (-0.14), with a negative histogram of -1.13, confirming a short-term bearish momentum setup that is fading as the pullback stalls.
Volatility
Moderate. ATR14 at 6.70 (3.17% of price) reflects normal daily swings for a large-cap financial. Bollinger Bands (203.58 to 227.50) place price in the lower half of the range, consistent with the recent pullback, with the stock having bounced off the lower band area toward the middle band.
Volume
Below average. Latest volume of 4,982,600 is about 84% of the 20-period average (5,944,640), indicating lighter participation during the pullback and the early stabilization.

Assessment

The daily chart shows a near-term pullback within a longer-term uptrend. Price has slipped below the SMA20 and SMA50 but remains comfortably above SMA200 (182.66). Momentum has cooled to neutral, with RSI near 50 and a negative MACD histogram, yet the decline has arrived on below-average volume, which often marks an orderly correction rather than distribution. A daily close back above SMA20 at 215.54 would improve the near-term picture and set up a retest of the 230.98 high. Losing the 20-day low at 201.83 would turn attention to the 60-day low at 185.43 and SMA200 near 182.66.

Weekly (July 27, 2026 week)

Trend
Bullish. Price at 210.42 is above SMA20 (196.84), SMA50 (177.33), and SMA200 (115.34), with all moving averages in rising alignment. The 20-week return of +37.35% and the 252-week return of +149.11% reflect a strong multi-year advance. The most recent week posted a small loss of -1.35%, a minor pause within the uptrend.
Momentum
Bullish. RSI14 at 61.77 is in bullish territory but below the 70 overbought threshold. The MACD line at 12.46 is above the signal line (12.25) with a positive histogram of 0.22, confirming continued upside momentum on the weekly scale, though the histogram is thin and near a potential crossover.
Volatility
Moderate. ATR14 at 12.57 (5.97% of price) reflects normal weekly ranges for a large-cap financial stock. Bollinger Bands (157.26 to 236.41) are wide after the strong advance, with price in the upper portion of the range.
Volume
In line with the average. Latest weekly volume of 29,257,300 is about 99.5% of the 20-week average (29,403,225), showing participation consistent with recent weeks during the pause.

Assessment

The weekly chart confirms an intact intermediate-term uptrend. Price remains above all key moving averages with the SMA200 sloping up, RSI14 at 61.77 leaves room before overbought, and the MACD histogram is positive. The recent weekly loss is a pause within a strong advance rather than a reversal signal. The trend stays constructive as long as price holds above the weekly SMA20 at 196.84; a decisive break below it would put the 20-week low at 153.12 into focus.

Key indicators

MS Key Technical Indicators

RSI, MACD, moving averages, ATR, and Bollinger Bands across daily and weekly timeframes.

IndicatorDailyWeekly
RSI (14)47.8261.77
MACD (12, 26, 9)-1.27 / -0.14 / -1.1312.46 / 12.25 / 0.22
ATR (14)6.70 (3.17%)12.57 (5.97%)
Bollinger Bands (20, 2)203.58 - 227.50157.26 - 236.41
SMA (20)215.54196.84
SMA (50)213.53177.33
SMA (200)182.66115.34

Price structure

MS Price Structure and Returns

Price performance across multiple lookback periods and 52-week position.

MetricDailyWeekly
Current Price211.23210.42
1-Period Return+0.38%-1.35%
5-Period Return-1.01%-0.21%
20-Period Return-4.37%+37.35%
60-Period Return+9.85%+64.38%
252-Period Return+51.63%+149.11%
52-Week Low133.15136.32
52-Week High230.98230.98
52-Week Position79.81%78.28%

Key levels

MS Support and Resistance Levels

Key price levels based on recent swing highs and lows across daily and weekly timeframes.

LevelDailyWeekly
20-Period High230.98230.98
20-Period Low201.83153.12
60-Period High230.98230.98
60-Period Low185.43125.09

Scenarios

MS Technical Scenarios

Conditions, invalidation triggers, and what to watch for each scenario.

Bullish

Trigger

Price closes back above SMA20 at 215.54 on the daily and follows through above the 20-day and 52-week high at 230.98 with expanding volume.

Invalidation

Price breaks below the 20-day low at 201.83 and then the 60-day low at 185.43.

What to watch

Daily RSI reclaiming 50 and moving toward 60; MACD histogram turning positive on the daily; volume expanding on up days.

Range-Bound

Trigger

Price oscillates between support at 201.83 (20-day low) and resistance near 215.54 (SMA20) as the market digests the pullback.

Invalidation

A decisive close above 230.98 or below 201.83 with above-average volume.

What to watch

RSI staying between 40 and 60; volume remaining near or below the 20-day average; daily MACD histogram hovering near zero.

Bearish

Trigger

Price loses the 20-day low at 201.83 and continues toward the 60-day low at 185.43, with SMA200 near 182.66 as the deeper downside reference.

Invalidation

Price reclaims SMA20 at 215.54 and holds above it with confirming volume.

What to watch

Sustained daily closes below 201.83; RSI sliding below 40; weekly MACD histogram turning negative.

Methodology

Methodology and Limitations

This technical analysis is calculated locally from adjusted OHLCV history. The daily series ends August 3, 2026, and the weekly series ends July 27, 2026 week. The latest completed daily bar is independently checked for date and closing-price consistency. Historical prices are adjusted for corporate actions when applicable. Indicators include Wilder RSI(14), MACD(12,26,9), SMA20/50/200, Wilder ATR(14), Bollinger Bands(20,2), relative volume, multi-period returns, and price-range levels. Support and resistance are descriptive zones, not guaranteed reversal points. Historical patterns do not predict future prices, and this page is not investment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

This technical analysis is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance and historical patterns are not guarantees of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Market data is checked for date and closing-price consistency before indicators are calculated. Data cutoffs: daily August 3, 2026, weekly July 27, 2026 week. Generated August 4, 2026.