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Morgan Stanley Says These 4 Quality Stocks Could Be Smart Buys Right Now
Posted On Jul 29, 2026 by Ian Cooper
Investors looking for the best dividend stocks and quality stocks to buy now may want to pay close attention to Morgan Stanley’s latest recommendations. As market volatility continues and economic uncertainty lingers, the Wall Street firm says companies with strong cash flow, healthy balance sheets, consistent earnings, and reliable dividends are well-positioned to outperform over the long run. Among Morgan Stanley’s top stock picks are four industry leaders spanning consumer staples, energy, and healthcare that could offer investors a combination of stability, income, and long-term growth potential.
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Rather than chasing speculative growth names, Morgan Stanley believes investors may be better served by focusing on companies with durable business models that can generate dependable returns regardless of market conditions. These businesses tend to have strong pricing power, lower debt levels, healthy profit margins, and a history of rewarding shareholders through regular dividend payments.
Here are four quality stocks Morgan Stanley likes at the moment.
The company recently reported better-than-expected earnings. It also raised its outlook for the rest of the year. Investors liked the news, and the stock jumped more than 4%. And Morgan Stanley says Coca-Cola continues to grow because people keep buying its products. The company has also been able to raise prices without hurting sales. In addition, Coca-Cola pays a dividend with a yield of about 2.4%.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) is another company on Morgan Stanley’s list. The company makes everyday products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and other personal care items. These are products people buy no matter what the economy is doing. That helps make the company’s business more stable. Morgan Stanley believes Colgate-Palmolive still has room to grow even after a strong year. The company pays a dividend of about 2.3%.
SLB
SLB (NYSE: SLB) is an energy company that provides services to oil and gas producers. The company recently reported stronger-than-expected earnings and revenue. While some business slowed in the Middle East, strong demand in other parts of the world helped make up for it.
Helping, SLB says offshore drilling and higher activity in the United States helped boost its results. The company pays a dividend with a yield of about 2.35%.
Gilead Sciences
Morgan Stanley says Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD)could see strong sales from its HIV prevention drug called Yeztugo. The firm expects the drug to bring in about $1.1 billion in sales this year. That is slightly higher than what many Wall Street analysts expect. Gilead, expected to report earnings next week, also pays a dividend with a yield of about 2.4%.
Bottom Line For Morgan Stanley’s Top Picks
Morgan Stanley believes this is a good time to own strong, dependable companies instead of taking big risks on fast-growing stocks. The firm likes companies that have healthy finances, steady profits, and reliable cash flow. It also prefers businesses that pay regular dividends.
Right now, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, SLB, and Gilead Sciences are four of Morgan Stanley’s top picks. While the market may still have some bumps along the way, the firm believes these quality companies could continue to reward investors over the long term.
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Procter & Gamble’s Results Show a Consumer Under Pressure
The company beat Wall Street’s earnings expectations, but weaker-than-expected sales and sluggish demand weighed on investor sentiment. For the fiscal fourth quarter, P&G reported adjusted earnings of $1.43 per share, slightly above Wall Street’s estimate of $1.41.
However, revenue came in below expectations at $21.2 billion, compared with the $21.38 billion analysts had projected. The company’s reported net income fell to $3.04 billion, or $1.26 per share, from $3.62 billion, or $1.48 per share, a year earlier. Excluding restructuring costs, transaction-related gains, and other items, adjusted earnings came in at $1.43 per share.
Organic revenue, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, divestitures, and currency changes, was unchanged for the quarter as volume remained flat across the company’s portfolio.
That lack of volume growth has become a recurring concern for P&G and many other consumer staples companies. After years of inflation-driven price increases, consumers have become more cautious, trading down to lower-cost private-label alternatives or simply using products for longer before replacing them.
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Not every part of P&G’s business struggled during the quarter. The company’s beauty division was the strongest performer, reporting 3% volume growth. The segment includes well-known brands such as Pantene shampoo, Olay skincare, and SK-II.
The company’s fabric and home care division also posted volume growth, with sales volume rising 1% during the quarter. That segment includes some of P&G’s biggest household names, including Tide laundry detergent and Swiffer cleaning products.
However, several important businesses saw declines.
P&G’s baby, feminine, and family care division reported a 1% decline in volume, while its grooming business also experienced a 1% drop. The weakest performance came from the company’s health care division, which includes brands such as Oral-B and Vicks. Volume in the segment declined 3%, driven largely by weaker sales in oral care products.
The results show that while P&G’s portfolio remains powerful, consumer behavior is changing. Brand loyalty alone may not be enough to offset a more price-sensitive shopper.
Cautious Outlook Adds to Investor Concerns
Looking ahead, P&G does not expect a major rebound in demand next year.
For fiscal 2027, the company forecast core earnings per share of between $6.89 and $7.11. It expects all-in sales growth of just 1% to 3% compared with the prior year. Wall Street had been expecting earnings of $7.04 per share and revenue growth of about 2.7%.
P&G’s challenge is no longer simply maintaining margins. The company must find ways to reignite demand while managing a more difficult consumer environment.
What’s Next For Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble remains one of the world’s most respected consumer companies, with a portfolio of trusted brands, strong cash flow generation, and a long history of returning capital to shareholders. But the latest results show that even industry leaders are not immune to changing consumer habits.
The company’s earnings remain resilient, but flat organic growth and continued volume pressure suggest that investors may need patience. The key question going forward is whether P&G can reignite demand without relying heavily on price increases.
For long-term investors, P&G’s defensive qualities remain attractive. However, the latest quarter reinforces that the company’s next phase of growth will depend on winning back consumers who have become more focused on affordability.
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