Scroll Up Top
Overview
Overview

A Core Equity approach anchored in resilience and debate with 50-80 high-conviction holdings. The strategy is built to deliver competitive risk-adjusted returns with low tracking error across market cycles.

Differentiators
1
Resilient Business Models

A flexible, style agnostic approach to identifying leading companies with durable business models, enabling them to expand and compound over time.

2
Time-Tested Philosophy

Our investment team seeks companies delivering high returns on invested capital, strong free cash flow, robust EPS growth, and gross margin stability – attributes proven to generate outperformance over the long-term.

3
Dedicated and Experienced Team

Investment team encourages analyst autonomy paired with a culture of healthy debate, aligns with the end-client, and focuses on combatting common investment biases. Portfolio Manager Charlie Gaffney has led the strategy for over 17 years, demonstrating stock selection through varying environments.

investment-approach-large-cap-core.png

Investment Process

Portfolio Managers

Team members may be subject to change at any time without notice.

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

The value of investments may increase or decrease in response to economic, and financial events (whether real, expected or perceived) in the U.S. and global markets. The value of equity securities is sensitive to stock market volatility. Investments in foreign instruments or currencies can involve greater risk and volatility than U.S. investments because of adverse market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, currency exchange rates or other conditions. The Strategy is exposed to liquidity risk when trading volume, lack of a market maker or trading partner, large position size, market conditions, or legal restrictions impair its ability to sell particular investments or to sell them at advantageous market prices. The impact of the coronavirus on global markets could last for an extended period and could adversely affect performance. There is no assurance strategies that incorporate ESG factors will result in more favorable investment performance. Investors should be aware that this strategy may be subject to additional risks, which should be carefully considered prior to any investment decision.

There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market.

This communication is only intended for and will be only distributed to persons resident in jurisdictions where such distribution or availability would not be contrary to local laws or regulations.

There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A separately managed account may not be appropriate for all investors. Separate accounts managed according to the Strategy include a number of securities and will not necessarily track the performance of any index. Please consider the investment objectives, risks and fees of the Strategy carefully before investing. A minimum asset level is required. For important information about the investment manager, please refer to Form ADV Part 2.

The views and opinions and/or analysis expressed are those of the author or the investment team as of the date of preparation of this material and are subject to change at any time without notice due to market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Furthermore, the views will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available or circumstances existing, or changes occurring, after the date of publication. The views expressed do not reflect the opinions of all investment personnel at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “the Firm”), and may not be reflected in all the strategies and products that the Firm offers.

This material is a general communication, which is not impartial and all information provided has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security or to adopt any specific investment strategy. The information herein has not been based on a consideration of any individual investor circumstances and is not investment advice, nor should it be construed in any way as tax, accounting, legal or regulatory advice. To that end, investors should seek independent legal and financial advice, including advice as to tax consequences, before making any investment decision.

DISTRIBUTION

This material is only intended for and will only be distributed to persons resident in jurisdictions where such distribution or availability would not be contrary to local laws or regulations.

MSIM, the asset management division of Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), and its affiliates have arrangements in place to market each other’s products and services.  Each MSIM affiliate is regulated as appropriate in the jurisdiction it operates. MSIM’s affiliates are: Calvert Research and Management, Eaton Vance Management, Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, Parametric SAS, and Atlanta Capital Management LLC.

This material has been issued by any one or more of the following entities:

EMEA

This material is for Professional Clients/Accredited Investors only.

In the EU, MSIM materials are issued by MSIM Fund Management (Ireland) Limited (“FMIL”). FMIL is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is incorporated in Ireland as a private company limited by shares with company registration number 616661 and has its registered address at 24-26 City Quay, Dublin 2, DO2 NY19, Ireland. 

Outside the EU, MSIM materials are issued by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited (MSIM Ltd) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 1981121. Registered Office: 25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 4QA. 

In Switzerland, MSIM materials are issued by Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc, London (Zurich Branch) Authorised and regulated by the Eidgenössische Finanzmarktaufsicht ("FINMA"). Registered Office: Beethovenstrasse 33, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. 

Italy: MSIM FMIL (Milan Branch), (Sede Secondaria di Milano) Palazzo Serbelloni Corso Venezia, 16 20121 Milano, Italy. The Netherlands: MSIM FMIL (Amsterdam Branch), Rembrandt Tower, 11th Floor Amstelplein 1 1096HA, Netherlands. France: MSIM FMIL (Paris Branch), 61 rue de Monceau 75008 Paris, France. Spain: MSIM FMIL (Madrid Branch), Calle Serrano 55, 28006, Madrid, Spain. Germany: MSIM FMIL Frankfurt Branch, Große Gallusstraße 18, 60312 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (Gattung: Zweigniederlassung (FDI) gem. § 53b KWG). Denmark: MSIM FMIL (Copenhagen Branch), Gorrissen Federspiel, Axel Towers, Axeltorv2, 1609 Copenhagen V, Denmark.

MIDDLE EAST

Dubai International Financial Centre: This information does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, , any investment products in the UAE (including the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) and accordingly should not be construed as such. The content of this report has not been approved by or filed with the UAE Central Bank, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority or the Financial Services Regulatory Authority.

Abu Dhabi Global Market ("ADGM"): This material is sent strictly within the context of, and constitutes, an Exempt Communication. This material relates to (strategy) which is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (the “FSRA”).

Saudi Arabia

This financial promotion was issued and approved for use in Saudi Arabia by Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia, Al Rashid Tower, Kings Sand Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, authorized and regulated by the Capital Market Authority license number 06044-37.

Latin America (Brazil, Chile Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay)

This material is for use with an institutional investor or a qualified investor only. All information contained herein is confidential and is for the exclusive use and review of the intended addressee, and may not be passed on to any third party. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a public offering, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell for any product, service, security and/or strategy. A decision to invest should only be made after reading the strategy documentation and conducting in-depth and independent due diligence.

ASIA PACIFIC

Hong Kong: This document has been issued by Morgan Stanley Asia Limited, CE No. AAD291, for use in Hong Kong and shall only be made available to “professional investors” as defined under the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap 571). The contents of this document have not been reviewed nor approved by any regulatory authority including the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong. Accordingly, save where an exemption is available under the relevant law, this document shall not be issued, circulated, distributed, directed at, or made available to, the public in Hong Kong. 

Singapore: This material is disseminated in Singapore by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, Registration No. 199002743C. This material should not be considered to be the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to the public or any member of the public in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under section 304 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (“SFA”), (ii) to a “relevant person” (which includes an accredited investor) pursuant to section 305 of the SFA, and such distribution is in accordance with the conditions specified in section 305 of the SFA; or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA. This material has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. 

Australia: This material is provided by Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 22122040037, AFSL No. 314182 and its affiliates and does not constitute an offer of interests. Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Australia) Pty Limited arranges for MSIM affiliates to provide financial services to Australian wholesale clients. This material will not be lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 

Japan

For professional investors, this material is circulated or distributed solely for informational purposes. For non-professional investors, this material is provided in connection with Morgan Stanley Investment Management (Japan) Co., Ltd. (“MSIMJ”)’s business with respect to discretionary investment management agreements (“IMA”) and investment advisory agreements (“IAA”).  This does not constitute a recommendation or solicitation of transactions nor offers any particular financial instruments. Under an IMA, with respect to the management of client assets, the client prescribes basic management policies in advance and commissions MSIMJ to make all investment decisions based on an analysis of the value, etc. of the securities, and MSIMJ accepts such commission. The client shall delegate to MSIMJ the authorities necessary to make such investment decisions. MSIMJ exercises these delegated authorities accordingly, and the client shall not make individual instructions.  All investment profits and losses belong to the clients; principal is not guaranteed. Please consider the investment objectives and nature of risks before investing. As an investment advisory fee for an IAA or an IMA, the amount of assets subject to the contract multiplied by a certain rate (the upper limit is 2.20% per annum (including tax)) shall be incurred in proportion to the contract period. For some strategies, a contingency fee may be incurred in addition to the fee mentioned above. Indirect charges also may be incurred, such as brokerage commissions for underlying securities. Since these charges and expenses vary by contract and other factors, MSIMJ cannot present the rates, upper limits, etc. in advance. All clients should read thoroughly the Documents Provided Prior to the Conclusion of a Contract carefully before executing an agreement. This material is distributed in Japan by MSIMJ, Registered No. 410 (Director of Kanto Regional Finance Bureau (Financial Instruments Firms)), Membership: the Japan Securities Dealers Association, the Investment Management Association of Japan and the Type II Financial Instruments Firms Association. 

© 2026 Morgan Stanley. All rights reserved.