Bank Stocks Getting a Jobs Boost: Morgan Stanley (MS) Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS ) shares are breaking above $48, leaving their February/March highs behind to hit levels not seen since late 2007. That's right: After nearly a decade, MS has erased the worst of its financial crisis losses. Bank stocks are perking up in response, threatening an upside breakout from a multi-month consolidation range on hopes the rise in interest rates - driven by higher inflation and economic growth expectations - will translate into an expansion of net interest margins and thus Wall Street profits.