Better-than-expected capital markets performance drove Morgan Stanley’s MS fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of $1.20 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 98 cents. Also, the figure jumped 64% from the year-ago quarter. Results for the reported quarter include severance costs of $172 million and exclude net discrete tax benefit.Shares of Morgan Stanley jumped more than 5.5% in pre-market following an unexpected improvement in fixed income trading income. The stock’s price performance after the full day’s trading will give a better picture.Morgan Stanley recorded a rise in both trading and investment banking revenues. Specifically, fixed income trading revenuessurged 126%, while equity trading income was relatively stable. Overall trading revenues grew 28%.Now coming to investment banking performance, underwriting income was up 35%. The improvement was driven by a rise in both equity and fixed income underwriting revenues, which were up 31% and 39%, respectively. On the other hand, as expected, advisory fees declined 11%.Further, higher net interest income, driven by rise in loan balance (up 11%) and lower interest expenses, supported the top line.However, operating expenses witnessed a rise, mainly due to higher compensation costs (up 38%).Net income applicable to common shareholders for the quarter was $2.09 billion, increasing 53%.For 2019, adjusted earnings of $4.98 per share grew 8% year over year and outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.86. Net income applicable to common shareholders was $8.51 billion, up 4%.Trading, Investment Banking Aid Revenues, Costs RiseNet revenues for the quarter were $10.86 billion, up 27% from the prior-year quarter. Also, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.52 billion.For 2019, net revenues grew 3% to $41.42 billion. It also surpassed the consensus estimate of $40.08 billion.Net interest income was $1.43 billion, jumping 45% from the year-ago quarter. This was largely due to a 19% fall in interest expenses.Total non-interest revenues of $9.42 billion jumped 25% year over year.Total non-interest expenses were $8.12 billion, up 21%.Impressive Quarterly Segment PerformanceInstitutional Securities: Pre-tax income from continuing operations was $1.13 billion, increasing 44% year over year. Net revenues were $5.05 billion, up 32%. The rise was mainly driven by higher trading income, investment banking revenues and investment revenues.Wealth Management: Pre-tax income from continuing operations totaled $1.16 billion, up 15%. Net revenues were $4.58 billion, up 11% year over year as rise in transactional revenues and asset management revenues were partially offset by lower net interest income.Investment Management: Pre-tax income from continuing operations was $447 million, surging substantially from $74 million in the year-ago quarter. Net revenues were $1.36 billion, soaring 98%. The increase was mainly driven by rise in asset management fees and investment revenues.As of Dec 31, 2019, total assets under management or supervision were $552 billion, up 19% on a year-over-year basis.Strong Capital PositionAs of Dec 31, 2019, book value per share was $45.82, up from $42.20 as of Dec 31, 2018. Tangible book value per share was $40.01, up from $36.99.Morgan Stanley’s Tier 1 capital ratio was 18.6% compared with 19.2% in the year-ago quarter. Tier 1 common equity ratio was 16.4%, down from 16.9%.Share Repurchase UpdateDuring the fourth quarter, Morgan Stanley repurchased shares worth $1.5 billion. This was part of the company's 2019 capital plan.Our ViewpointMorgan Stanley’s focus on less capital-incentive operations like wealth management is commendable. However, mounting costs pose a concern.Morgan Stanley Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Morgan Stanley price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Morgan Stanley QuoteCurrently, Morgan Stanley carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Performance of Other Big BanksImproved trading and underwriting performance drove Bank of America’s BAC fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of 74 cents per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents. Also, the figure was up 6% from the prior-year quarter.Better-than-expected trading performance and rise in mortgage banking fees drove JPMorgan’s JPM fourth-quarter 2019 earnings of $2.57 per share, which handily outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.32.Goldman Sachs GS reported a negative earnings surprise of 9.8% in fourth-quarter 2019. The company posted earnings per share of $4.69, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.20. Further, the bottom-line figure compares unfavorably with earnings of $6.04 per share recorded in the year-earlier quarter.Free: Zacks’ Single Best Stock Set to DoubleToday you are invited to download our latest Special Report that reveals 5 stocks with the most potential to gain +100% or more in 2020. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, SherazMian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.This pioneering tech ticker had soared to all-time highs and then subsided to a price that is irresistible. Now a pending acquisition could super-charge the company’s drive past competitors in the development of true Artificial Intelligence. The earlier you get in to this stock, the greater your potential gain.See 5 Stocks Set to Double>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report Bank of America Corporation (BAC): Free Stock Analysis Report Morgan Stanley (MS): Free Stock Analysis Report The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research