Morgan Stanley Gains Most Among Banking Giants For Second Consecutive Year

Bank stocks outperformed the larger market for the year, as investors reacted positively to news of an increase in benchmark interest rates by the Fed in the near future - something that will finally ease the pressure on the banks' net interest margin figures. The financial companies in the S&P 500 increased in overall value by a little over 13% - adding to the 30% gain seen over 2013.