Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Stock

Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley is a global investment bank whose history, through its legacy firms, can be traced back to 1924. The company has institutional securities, wealth management, and investment management segments with approximately 45% of net revenue from its institutional securities business, 45% from wealth management, and 10% from investment management. About 30% of its total revenue is from outside the Americas. The company had over $5 trillion of client assets as well as around 80,000 employees at the end of 2023.

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The Bank of Montreal launched five new exchange-traded notes (ETNs) Thursday, expanding its range of leveraged and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/leveraged-etfs">inverse investment products</a>. 
The Canadian banking firm has also been quietly ramping up its Bitcoin ETF holdings, reflecting a growing interest in the cryptocurrency market.
For the uninitiated, ETNs are mostly <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs">similar to ETFs</a>. The difference is they invest in debt like bonds. Also, they attract lesser taxes because they do not pay dividends.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/new-etfs/25/02/43862680/roundhill-launches-weeklypay-etfs-with-5-funds-offering-enhanced-payouts">Roundhill Launches WeeklyPay ETFs With 5 Funds Offering Enhanced Payouts</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Fresh Lineup Of Leveraged And Inverse ETNs</h2>
BMO's latest ETNs target the <a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/bmo-and-rex-shares-launch-us-big-banks-and-us-big-oil-leveraged-inverse-leveraged">energy </a>sector through the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil Index, which consists of major oil players such as Exxon Mobil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>), Valero Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>), Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>), Occidental Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OXY#NYSE">OXY</a>), and Chevron (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>). The bank has introduced two ETNs for investors with opposing market views:
MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil 3X Leveraged ETNs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRGU#NYSE">NRGU</a>), which seeks to generate three times the daily return of the index, and MicroSectors U.S. Big Oil -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRGD#NYSE">NRGD</a>), which provides the inverse, delivering negative three times the index's daily movement.
These products allow investors to make tactical bets on the energy market, especially as oil prices remain highly sensitive to geopolitical and economic changes.
BMO hasn&#8217;t left the financial sector behind, with new leveraged and inverse ETNs tied to the Solactive MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks Index. This index tracks heavyweights such as JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), and Bank of America.
The MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks 3X Leveraged ETNs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNKU#NYSE">BNKU</a>) provides three times the daily return of the index. On the other hand, the MicroSectors U.S. Big Banks -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BNKD#NYSE">BNKD</a>) moves in the opposite direction, offering negative three times the daily performance.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BMO's Growing Crypto Bet</h2>
BMO has also recently made a significant push into Bitcoin ETFs. According to a February <a href="https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/20289730836265">report </a>from Binance, which cited an SEC filing by BMO, the bank has upped its Bitcoin ETF holdings from $13 million to $150 million, a staggering 1053.85% increase in just one quarter.
Regulatory filings submitted to the U.S. SEC on January 13 revealed that BMO had allocated $139 million to BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin ETFs, with the remaining $11 million divided among ETFs from ARK 21Shares, Grayscale, and Fidelity.
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Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 2.87% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.06%. Currently, Morgan Stanley has a market capitalization of $217.13 billion. 
Buying $1000 In MS: If an investor had bought $1000 of MS stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,671.49 today based on a price of $135.12 for MS at the time of writing.
<h3>Morgan Stanley's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740148209_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 10 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

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Shares of companies within the broader financial sector are trading lower amid overall market weakness. Investors may be evaluating the risk of inflation as the retail sector shows early signs of a weaker consumer.

Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in MS usually suggests something big is about to happen.
We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 27 extraordinary options activities for Morgan Stanley. This level of activity is out of the ordinary.
The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 37% leaning bullish and 55% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $313,450, and 24 are calls, amounting to $1,668,568.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $90.0 and $160.0 for Morgan Stanley, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Morgan Stanley stands at 3021.5, with a total volume reaching 7,108.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Morgan Stanley, situated within the strike price corridor from $90.0 to $160.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Morgan Stanley Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740067240_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$2.8</td>
<td>$2.77</td>
<td>$2.8</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$263.2K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$7.15</td>
<td>$6.9</td>
<td>$7.0</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$172.9K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.15</td>
<td>$6.0</td>
<td>$6.05</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$168.1K</td>
<td>12.2K</td>
<td>971</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.85</td>
<td>$6.8</td>
<td>$6.85</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$119.2K</td>
<td>12.2K</td>
<td>328</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$5.65</td>
<td>$5.55</td>
<td>$5.6</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$97.4K</td>
<td>12.2K</td>
<td>974</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Morgan Stanley</h3>
Morgan Stanley is a global investment bank whose history, through its legacy firms, can be traced back to 1924. The company has institutional securities, wealth management, and investment management segments with approximately 45% of net revenue from its institutional securities business, 45% from wealth management, and 10% from investment management. About 30% of its total revenue is from outside the Americas. The company had over $5 trillion of client assets as well as around 80,000 employees at the end of 2023.
Having examined the options trading patterns of Morgan Stanley, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance
<h3>Where Is Morgan Stanley Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 1,572,565, the price of MS is down by -4.23%, reaching $134.74.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 50 days from now.</li>
</ul>
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=options-activity&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Click here for access</a>.
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Morgan Stanley, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Options

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Morgan Stanley

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk&#8216;s social media company, X, is reportedly in discussions with investors to secure funding at a $44 billion valuation.
What Happened: Elon Musk&#8217;s X is in talks to secure new funding at a $44 billion valuation, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-02-19/musk-s-x-is-looking-for-44-billion-valuation-in-new-funding-round">reported</a> Bloomberg on Wednesday. The report notes that the ambitious valuation signals a significant shift in the company&#8217;s fortunes. Initially, investors were hesitant about the debt used in Musk&#8217;s acquisition due to fears of overpayment and potential advertiser loss from policy changes.
However, Musk&#8217;s prominent position in President Donald Trump's administration has seemingly improved investor sentiment regarding X&#8217;s future. Bloomberg also observed a revived interest in X, coinciding with a surge in user activity, especially ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
X did not immediately respond to <a href="http://pro.benzinga.com">Benzinga&#8217;s</a> request for comment. 
In January, the Wall Street Journal also reported that Amazon (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) increased its advertisement expenditure on Elon Musk&#8217;s X. In February, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/25/02/43703296/apple-is-back-with-ads-on-x-after-halting-platform-spending-in-2023-over-elon-musks-posts">also returned to X with its ads </a>after a hiatus of more than a year. Several companies had pulled much of their advertising from the platform amid concerns over increasing hate speech. 
SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/02/43805683/amazon-is-killing-a-key-kindle-feature-that-let-you-back-up-your-ebooks-heres-what-will-change-for-you">Amazon Is Killing A Key Kindle Feature That Let You Back Up Your Ebooks: Here&#8217;s What Will Change For You</a>
Why It Matters: The current valuation discussions come after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42271676/fidelity-raises-valuation-of-elon-musks-x-but-its-still-worth-72-less-than-his-buyout-price">Fidelity</a>&nbsp;raised its valuation of X Holdings in December after a reassessment. This marked a positive turn after months of devaluation, suggesting a potential recovery in X&#8217;s market perception. However, Fidelity&#8217;s valuation at $12.3 billion remained 72% below Musk&#8217;s initial buyout price. 
Notably, In January, the Wall Street Journal obtained an internal email wherein Elon Musk expressed concerns about the financial health of X. Musk stating that growth on his platform was "stagnant" and that the revenue is "unimpressive". He also stated "And we're barely breaking even.&#8221; However, Musk later denied having sent any such internal email.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg also reported that last week, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) successfully completed the sale of $3 billion in X debt at full face value, following strong investor demand.
As X navigates these financial waters, the outcome of the funding round will be a critical indicator of its market standing and future growth prospects.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/02/43772021/tesla-spacex-and-x-how-musks-companies-could-cash-in-on-a-trump-presidency">Tesla, SpaceX, And X: How Musk&#8217;s Companies Could Cash In On A Trump Presidency</a></li>
</ul>
Image via Shutterstock
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Elon Musk's X Seeks $44 Billion Valuation In New Funding Round Amid Renewed Investor Interest: Report

Wall Street banks are unfazed by the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43690898/trade-war-2-0-why-trumps-tariff-plans-could-be-worse-than-2018">administration&#8217;s tariff policy</a> and are hopeful that the White House&#8217;s legislative agenda will benefit them, according to Bank of America analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala.
The Banking Analyst: In a note published Thursday, Poonawala noted how optimistic Wall Street banks were at the recent Bank of America financial services conference.
Main Takeaways: Executives from over 30 banks seemed to agree that looser regulations will lead to financial teams having more time to pursue growth opportunities rather than deal with compliance. 
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/25/02/43690898/trade-war-2-0-why-trumps-tariff-plans-could-be-worse-than-2018">Trade War 2.0? Why Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plans Could Be Worse Than 2018</a>
&#8220;Our takeaway based on meetings with 30+ Wall Street/Main Street banks during BofA&#8217;s 33rd annual financial services conference was that despite the recent tariff headlines, there remains continued optimism that a pro-business Trump administration (on taxes, regulations) should drive strengthening customer activity,&#8221; the analyst said.
The analyst mentioned yield curve spreads rather than treasury futures as the more important metric to estimate future bank performance.
&#8220;While bank stocks appear to sell off on rising US Treasury yields, our conversations with mgmt teams support our view that a steeper yield curve should be a net positive for net interest income growth and net interest margins. Deposit pricing competition remains subdued with a pick-up in loan growth seen as a potential catalyst that could change this dynamic,&#8221; the analyst said.
Poonawala noted that &#8220;receptivity&#8221; toward Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>) due to the companies&#8217; integrated business models.
Regional banks, as reflected by the SPDR S&amp;P Regional Banking ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KRE#NYSE">KRE</a>), should also benefit, the analyst says. However, regionals will likely need a catalyst to boost current valuations.
Poonawala, in his note, did not mention the Trump administration&#8217;s <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43586493/jpmorgan-bofa-equifax-honda-block-and-many-more-may-get-relief-after-cfpb-dissolution-as-director-vought-halts-activities-maryland-senator-says-will-ensure-the-body-continues-to-fight-for-consumers">recent shut-down</a> of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The agency was formed in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis as a necessary watchdog to keep financial institutions in check — much to the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42024453/if-youre-in-a-knife-fight-you-better-damn-well-bring-a-knife-jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-for-a-stand-against-regulation">dismay of top bank CEOs</a>.
Over the years, the CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/twelve-years-of-protecting-consumers-and-honest-businesses/#:~:text=Here%27s%20a%20look%20at%20some,CFPB%20enforcement%20and%20supervision%20work">recovered</a> over $17.5 billion for bank consumers affected by fraudulent or predatory practices. It has also <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/how-cfpb-changes-could-impact-consumers-a2527371632/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">established</a> rules to limit overdraft fees and reduce credit card late fees, aiming to protect consumers from excessive charges.
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Image: Shutterstock

Bank Brass Expect Trump Deregulatory Agenda To 'Strengthen Customer Activity': Analyst

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been put on ice. Staffers have been told to halt all work, and the agency's Washington headquarters has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/cfpb">reportedly been shut down</a>. 
While this unprecedented move raises serious concerns about consumer rights, it also presents a potential opportunity for investors. ETFs with significant exposure to banks, payday lenders, and credit reporting agencies may benefit if looser regulations translate into higher profit margins.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43451675/bessent-freezes-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-work-leaving-lawsuits-against-jpmorgan-bank-of-america-capital-one-in-limbo">Bessent Freezes Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Work Leaving Lawsuits Against JPMorgan, Bank Of America, Capital One In Limbo</a>
Banking &amp; Financial Sector ETFs: The Biggest Beneficiaries?
Big banks have frequently clashed with the CFPB over issues ranging from overdraft fees to consumer lending practices. With the watchdog out of commission, major financial institutions could see reduced compliance costs and potentially higher profits. 
Investors looking to capitalize on this regulatory shift might consider ETFs with heavy bank exposure, such as:
<ul>
<li>Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>): This fund tracks large U.S. financial institutions, including JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), Bank of America (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BAC#NYSE">BAC</a>), and Citigroup (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>). </li>
<li>Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWB#NASDAQ">KBWB</a>): This ETF could benefit if regulatory rollbacks allow banks to expand lending operations with fewer restrictions. Goldman Sachs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>), JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), Bank Of America and Wells Fargo &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WFC#NYSE">WFC</a>) are among the top holdings of the ETF.</li>
<li>iShares U.S. Financials ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IYF#NYSE">IYF</a>): Another broad financial sector play, IYF provides exposure to insurance firms, banks, and capital markets. Among its top holdings are S&amp;P Global (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPGI#NYSE">SPGI</a>), BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BLK#NYSE">BLK</a>) and Wells Fargo.</li>
</ul>
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42479974/us-lenders-file-joint-lawsuit-against-consumer-finance-watchdog-for-capping-overdraft-fees-wells-fargo-jpmorgan-citigroup-stocks-in-focus">US Lenders File Joint Lawsuit Against Consumer Finance Watchdog For Capping Overdraft Fees</a>
FinTech &amp; Alternative Lending: Risky Yet Promising
The CFPB has been a thorn in the side of payday lenders and fintech firms, often cracking down on <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/01/42836870/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-subsidiary-sued-over-unaffordable-loans-2008-style-predatory-loan-approval-tactics">predatory lending practices</a>. With enforcement on hold, companies like LendingClub (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LC#NYSE">LC</a>) may operate with fewer regulatory headaches. That makes fintech-focused ETFs worth watching, such as:
<ul>
<li>Global X FinTech ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FINX#NASDAQ">FINX</a>): This fund invests in innovative financial technology firms that could benefit from a more relaxed regulatory environment. Fidelity National Info (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) and Fiserv (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FI#NYSE">FI</a>) sit at the top of the portfolio distribution.</li>
<li>iShares US Small Cap Value Factor ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SVAL#BATS">SVAL</a>): It is an equal-weighted equity index tracking the Russell 2000 Focused Value Select Index which measures the performance of small-cap U.S. companies&nbsp;including LendingClub.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Background</h3>
The CFPB, created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, has been — according to advocates — a necessary watchdog keeping financial institutions in check. 
For example, the CFPB has <a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/twelve-years-of-protecting-consumers-and-honest-businesses/#:~:text=Here%27s%20a%20look%20at%20some,CFPB%20enforcement%20and%20supervision%20work">recovered</a> over $17.5 billion for consumers affected by fraudulent or predatory practices.
It has also <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/consumer-protection/how-cfpb-changes-could-impact-consumers-a2527371632/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">established</a> rules to limit overdraft fees and reduce credit card late fees, aiming to protect consumers from excessive charges.
Meanwhile, critics — especially from the banking industry (i.e., JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon) — argue <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/startups/24/11/42024453/if-youre-in-a-knife-fight-you-better-damn-well-bring-a-knife-jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-calls-for-a-stand-against-regulation">it&#8217;s a regulatory burden</a>.
Now, with an abrupt directive for staff to ‘stand down' and stop all work, the agency's future is uncertain.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs/sector-etfs/25/02/43632056/3-etfs-for-cybersecurity-investors-as-ai-driven-threats-grow">3 ETFs For Cybersecurity Investors As AI-Driven Threats Grow</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

FINX

iShares Dow Jones US Financial Sector Index Fund

KBWB

SPGI

SVAL

Regulatory Freeze At CFPB: These ETFs Could Gain As Oversight Weakens

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Financials sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>AFRM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$44.7K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td>2.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>COIN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$160.00</td>
<td>$296.5K</td>
<td>4.6K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PYPL</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$72.50</td>
<td>$640.0K</td>
<td>675</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MS</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$138.00</td>
<td>$47.3K</td>
<td>282</td>
<td>490</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/07/25</td>
<td>$79.00</td>
<td>$67.4K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td>322</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>05/16/25</td>
<td>$180.00</td>
<td>$49.3K</td>
<td>501</td>
<td>227</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UPST</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$25.00</td>
<td>$36.0K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
<td>201</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$34.1K</td>
<td>100</td>
<td>92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FUTU</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$31.2K</td>
<td>572</td>
<td>87</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>V</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/17/27</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
<td>$29.1K</td>
<td>272</td>
<td>48</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• For AFRM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFRM#NASDAQ">AFRM</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 14 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.7K, with a price of $447.0 per contract. There were 1021 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2675 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding COIN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COIN#NASDAQ">COIN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 42 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 25 contract(s) at a $160.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $296.5K, with a price of $11860.0 per contract. There were 4687 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1009 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding PYPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PYPL#NASDAQ">PYPL</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 343 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 1000 contract(s) at a $72.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $640.0K, with a price of $640.0 per contract. There were 675 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1002 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), we notice a put option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 14 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 419 contract(s) at a $138.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 30 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $47.3K, with a price of $113.0 per contract. There were 282 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 490 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For C (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, is expiring today. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $79.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 25 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $67.4K, with a price of $341.0 per contract. There were 1248 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 322 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding BX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 98 day(s) on May 16, 2025. Parties traded 32 contract(s) at a $180.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $49.3K, with a price of $1543.0 per contract. There were 501 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 227 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding UPST (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPST#NASDAQ">UPST</a>), we observe a put option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 343 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $25.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.0K, with a price of $180.0 per contract. There were 2478 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 201 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For UBS (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UBS#NYSE">UBS</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 42 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 91 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 20 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.1K, with a price of $375.0 per contract. There were 100 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 92 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding FUTU (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUTU#NASDAQ">FUTU</a>), we observe a call option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 42 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 50 contract(s) at a $115.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $31.2K, with a price of $624.0 per contract. There were 572 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 87 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For V (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/V#NYSE">V</a>), we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 860 day(s) on June 17, 2027. This event was a transfer of 6 contract(s) at a $380.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.1K, with a price of $4860.0 per contract. There were 272 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 48 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AFRM

COIN

FUTU

PYPL

UPST

10 Financials Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Renowned economist Peter Schiff expressed criticism of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s recent bank stress tests, highlighting the lack of preparation for a potential stagflation scenario.
What Happened: On Thursday, Schiff took to X to share his views on the Federal Reserve&#8217;s bank stress test scenarios for 2025 that it unveiled on Feb 5. 
He pointed out that the &#8220;Severely Adverse Scenario&#8221; outlined by the Fed assumes a recession accompanied by a sharp drop in interest rates and inflation. 
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Yesterday the Fed released its bank stress tests. In the &quot;Severely Adverse Scenario,&quot; the Fed assumes a recession with a sharp decline in interest rates and inflation. However, they did not test a scenario where there is a recession, but interest rates and inflation rise. That&#39;s…
&mdash; Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1887549522869448936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/federal-reserve/25/02/43478246/market-inflation-bets-soar-as-10-year-breakeven-rate-hits-16-month-peak-it-will-slow-federal-reserve-policy-rate-cuts">Market Inflation Bets Soar As 10-Year Breakeven Rate Hits 16-Month Peak: It Will &#8216;Slow Federal Reserve Policy Rate Cuts&#8217;</a></figcaption></figure>
Why It Matters:&nbsp;The 2025 scenarios consist of a baseline scenario that reflects anticipated economic trends and a severely adverse scenario that models a deep recession, substantial asset price declines, and heightened market volatility. However, Peter Schiff has criticized the assumptions underlying the test. His tweet suggests that the Federal Reserve may be overlooking a significant risk by not preparing for a potential stagflation scenario, a situation that could severely impact major banks.&#8221;That&#8217;s why the Fed&#8217;s&nbsp;plan for stagflation is to&nbsp;hope it doesn&#8217;t&nbsp;happen. They know no major&nbsp;bank could survive it,&#8221; cautioned Schiff.
Schiff&#8217;s comments come in the wake of the Federal Reserve&#8217;s decision to dial back the regulatory burden on major U.S. banks. The Fed has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/02/43544975/banks-win-first-regulatory-relief-as-fed-softens-stress-test-rules-scraps-climate-risks-financial-stocks-hit-record-highs">ended its climate stress test program</a> and introduced a 2025 stress test scenario that analysts see as more favorable than last year&#8217;s.
The shift, combined with potential adjustments to capital rules, could offer relief to big banks like&nbsp;Goldman Sachs Group Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GS#NYSE">GS</a>) and&nbsp;Morgan Stanley&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), which stand to benefit the most from a more transparent regulatory framework.
The results of the 2025 stress test, anticipated later this year, will reveal whether banks must modify their capital buffers or implement corrective actions to enhance their financial stability.
<ul>
<li>READ MORE: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42995279/federal-reserve-policy-reversal-buzz-around-2025-rate-hikes-gains-momentum-its-a-paper-barrier-will-break-through-it-quickly-if-the-data-becomes-overwhelming">Federal Reserve Policy Reversal? Buzz Around 2025 Rate Hikes Gains Momentum: &#8216;It&#8217;s A Paper Barrier&#8230;Will Break Through It Quickly If The Data Becomes Overwhelming&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>

Peter Schiff Slams Fed's Stress Tests For Ignoring Stagflation Risks: 'They Know No Major Bank Could Survive It'

The Federal Reserve is dialing back the regulatory burden on major U.S. banks, ending its climate stress test program and rolling out a 2025 stress test scenario that analysts see as more<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/06/39525918/major-banks-fall-short-in-feds-2024-stress-test-results-the-market-will-view-the-re"> favorable than last year's. </a>
The shift, combined with potential adjustments to capital rules, could offer relief to big banks like Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>), and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MS#NYSE">MS</a>), which stand to benefit the most from a more transparent regulatory framework.
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-06/fed-tells-banks-they-won-t-need-to-do-climate-stress-tests?srnd=homepage-americas&amp;sref=TBDibEcD">Bloomberg</a> first reported Thursday that the Fed has closed its Climate Scenario Analysis Exercise, a program that required major bank institutions and others to submit climate-related risk data. The decision marks a reversal from recent years, when regulators sought to gauge how climate risks could affect financial stability.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A More Favorable Stress Test Scenario</h3>
On Thursday, Bank of America analysts, including Ebrahim H. Poonawala, said the 2025 stress test scenario appears "broadly better" than last year's, reinforcing their confidence that capital relief is on the way.
The stress test, designed to assess banks' resilience under hypothetical economic downturns, plays a crucial role in setting capital requirements.
Compared to last year&#8217;s adverse scenario, the updated parameters include reduced market volatility, a milder GDP decline, and a smaller drop in commercial real estate prices.
&#8220;Banks should begin to see relief on regulatory capital requirements,&#8221; Bank of America wrote in its report. 
The Fed's latest release provided limited details on specific methodology changes but confirmed that steps will be taken to reduce volatility in stress test results and improve transparency. 
Bank of America indicates this could be a turning point, making regulatory expectations more predictable after more than a decade of post-2008 financial crisis adjustments.
Analysts at Bank of America see Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as the biggest winners, given their capital markets exposure.
&#8220;While relief should be broad-based, capital markets businesses could see&nbsp;relatively greater&nbsp;relief. Buy-rated Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley&nbsp;stand to see the largest benefit, in our view,&#8221; analysts wrote.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Will Capital Relief Follow?</h3>
A crucial unanswered question is whether the Fed will implement its proposed two-year averaging of stress test results this year. 
In December, the central bank announced plans to smooth out capital requirements by averaging results over two years and allowing public comment on future test scenarios. Yet, the latest release made no mention of when these changes might take effect.
Adding to the momentum for regulatory easing, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman – widely considered as a potential contender for the Fed&#8217;s Vice Chair of&nbsp;Supervision – said Wednesday that key capital rules should be reconsidered. 
Bowman highlighted the need to review the supplementary leverage ratio and Global Systemically Important Bank surcharges, both of which impact large banks' capital buffers.
"In its current structure, [the stress test] is an opaque test hidden from public scrutiny that is used to establish variable binding capital requirements," Bowman said. 
She called for greater transparency and technical improvements to enhance the test's reliability and credibility.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Market Reactions</h3>
Shares of major U.S. banks soared on Thursday, with both the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLF#NYSE">XLF</a>) and the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KBWB#NASDAQ">KBWB</a>) reaching fresh record highs. 
Within the big six banks, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/C#NYSE">C</a>), outperformed, up 3.7%, followed by JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JPM#NYSE">JPM</a>), up 2.2%. 
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/02/43534297/january-jobs-report-preview-speculators-bet-on-strong-payroll-surge-yet-economists-predict-a-different-picture">January Jobs Report Preview: Speculators Bet On Strong Payroll Surge, Yet Economists Predict A Different Picture</a></li>
</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

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