Morgan Stanley 's MS fourth-quarter 2016 earnings from continuing operations of $0.81 per share crushed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.65. Hopes of easing relations, increased inflationary expectations, which translated into higher treasury yields, and the Fed policy tightening benefited the sector. The rising rate prospects in the U.S. and chances of a rebound in oil prices on the OPEC output cut deal may prove to be favorable for these stocks and ETFs.