SEC To Investigate Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Over Block-Trading Practices

Posted on February 23rd, 2022 at 3:03 PM
SEC To Investigate Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Over Block-Trading Practices

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has subpoenaed Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and several hedge funds in order to investigate the business of block trading.


The SEC intends to determine whether hedge funds may have improperly tipped clients ahead of large share sales, according to the Wall Street Journal. Sources familiar with the matter added that the SEC and other regulators have been monitoring block trades since as early as 2019. Some of the hedge funds that received subpoenas serve as “liquidity providers”, which typically facilitate the purchase of large quantities of stock or other securities when they lack interested buyers.


Block trading has become more prevalent in recent years as a record number of IPOs and secondaries have drastically increased liquidity. However, the issuance of subpoenas does not inevitably mean that the SEC will press charges because commentators suggest that the rules surrounding how hedge funds are permitted to inform their clients of impending block trades are somewhat ambiguous.


Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 

 
 

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, SEC

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

You guys are good!

Mike L.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

January 16, 2026
SEC Signals Sweeping IPO Rule Changes to Ease Path for Smaller Companies

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) plans to overhaul its public offering framework to make it easier for smaller companies to access the public markets, according to remarks SEC Chairman Paul Atkins delivered at the New York Stock Exchange, as reported by Bloomberg Law.

January 15, 2026
FINRA Flags Risks of Early Withdrawals and Exchanges in Registered Index-Linked Annuities

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued a renewed warning to the industry about the risks consumers face when they exit registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) before the end of the contract term.

January 14, 2026
FINRA Fines and Suspends Wells Fargo Advisor Over Fictitious Expense Claims

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fined and suspended a Wells Fargo Advisors representative in Waco, Texas, after finding that he submitted fictitious business expense claims, according to a FINRA Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) letter.