Morgan Stanley took top honors for Global Equity House, Equity Derivatives House, North America Equity House and U.S. Investment Grade Bond House in the 2011 International Finance Review Awards. During the consideration period, the Firm participated in 134 transactions that raised $29.7 billion, 66 percent higher on 2010, making it IFR's North America Equity House of the Year for the second consecutive year.

"Equity market conditions were hostile throughout 2011, so judgment and execution were critical to serve clients effectively," the IFR editors noted in their citation. "Morgan Stanley showed us both, held a leading position in every region and led the year's benchmark deals."

IFR lauded the Firm for proving up to the challenge of meeting the ever–changing demands of investors. "Whether it was funneling high–yielding equity through its Morgan Stanley Smith Barney brokerage operation, or dominance in underwriting emerging technologies, Morgan Stanley proved a unique capacity to execute all types of transactions in a variety of market conditions."

Morgan Stanley was also named U.S. Investment Grade Bond House. The Firm acted as sole-lead bookrunner on the financing of Norfolk Southern's $400 million 100–year bond, which IFR awarded the U.S. Investment–Grade Bond of the Year in the annual Deal Awards. The Firm also helped arrange Chrysler Group's $6.2 billion financing package, which was awarded IFR's Americas Financing Package of the Year.