Morgan Stanley Trader Exits After Racking Up Millions in Losses

image

(Bloomberg) — A Morgan Stanley trader is leaving the firm after racking up tens of millions of dollars in losses as a bout of market turmoil makes and breaks trading books across Wall Street.

Hamza El Hassani, who traded dividends in the New York-based bank’s equities division, will be departing after transactions he oversaw went awry, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The losses tied to him were less than $50 million, one of the people said.

El Hassani didn’t respond to a message seeking comment, and a representative for Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has rocked global markets and spiraled across asset classes, catching some traders off guard and testing their hedges. An onslaught of international sanctions has severed correlations between a number of products that normally move in sync, derailing bets that were otherwise seen as safe. Heavy losses aren’t unusual in such trading conditions and they don’t always prompt separations from firms.

Trading dividends is a niche of Wall Street financial engineering that lets investors bet on the dividend flows from a basket of shares or even single companies. Market uncertainty in recent weeks has hit dividend books across the street, opening up those trading desks to unexpected losses, one person said.

The bank’s equity-derivatives unit sits within its equities business that also deals in common stocks and provides services to hedge funds. At Morgan Stanley, that business is normally seen as a market leader but fell behind Goldman Sachs Sachs Group Inc. in the final tally last year due to losses tied to Bill Hwang’s Archegos Capital Management.

El Hassani had been with Morgan Stanely since 2017, according to brokerage industry records. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank AG and Societe Generale SA.

Morgan Stanley is separately facing heightened public attention in another area of its operations: its handling of large stock transactions known as block trades. The bank acknowledged in a regulatory filing late last month that U.S. authorities are investigating various aspects of that business. It hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing.

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Trending Ideas

Featured Stocks On The Move

Daily Rundown

Top 3 Stocks in Leading Sectors
  • 3 Electric Power Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. (HE) Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. is a holding company that provides electric utility services and financial services in Hawaii. Through its subsidiaries, it supplies... Read More

  • 3 Bank Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Comerica Incorporated (CMA) Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, offering a range of banking products and services, including commercial and retail banking, wealth... Read More

  • 3 Machinery Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Alta Equipment Group Inc. (ALTG) Alta Equipment Group Inc. is an integrated equipment dealership platform in the United States, operating through three segments: Material Handling, Construction Equipment, and... Read More

  • 3 Silver Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Gatos Silver, Inc. (GATO) Gatos Silver, Inc. is a precious metals mining company primarily focused on silver and zinc production. Its flagship Cerro Los Gatos mine in Mexico... Read More

  • 3 Metal Production Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Century Aluminum Company (CENX) Century Aluminum Company is a primary aluminum producer, with operations that include the production of high-purity, low-carbon aluminum used in automotive, aerospace, and industrial... Read More

  • 3 Medical Drug Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (TEVA) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in generic and specialty medicines. The company provides a wide range of treatments... Read More

  • 3 Paper Product Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content AptarGroup Inc. (ATR) AptarGroup Inc. is a global leader in providing innovative dispensing and packaging solutions, serving diverse industries like beauty, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. They focus on... Read More

  • 3 Restaurant Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) Brinker International, Inc. operates well-known restaurant brands such as Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. The company is a leader in the... Read More

  • 3 Investment Brokerage Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) Robinhood Markets, Inc. is a financial services company known for its commission-free trading platform, which allows users to trade stocks, options, cryptocurrencies, and ETFs.... Read More

  • 3 Shipping Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (ZIM) ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. is a global container shipping company that provides cargo transportation services worldwide. The company operates a modern... Read More

  • 3 Mining Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content Perpetua Resources Corp. (PPTA) Perpetua Resources Corp. is a mining company focused on the exploration and redevelopment of the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, which is one of... Read More

  • 3 Airline Stocks To Buy Now

    Featured Content General Electric Company (GE) General Electric Company is a global industrial conglomerate with operations spanning sectors such as aviation, healthcare, power, and renewable energy. GE is known for... Read More