News & Events 2002-2003

Blair Alum Speaks About Corruption in the Stock Market

Stirling Levy, Blair Class of 1989 and Morgan Stanley Securities Analyst, spoke about corruption in the stock market as part of the Society of Skeptics lecture series on December 10, 2002 in Cowan Auditorium.

Mr. Levy discussed the potential conflict of interest for a securities analysts. For instance, one’s company (investment banking division) receives fees from businesses to help raise capital and purchase other corporations and yet the analysts must provide information to would-be investors as to the best stocks and bonds to purchase. There are cases where pressure is applied to recommend precisely those companies (stock) which provide lucrative fees for various services, companies that are not necessarily solid investments.

Mr. Levy also spoke about his odyssey from college, his public accounting work in Boston, getting his MBA at Columbia and his current job at Morgan Stanley. He recommended working prior to graduate school and told students to prepare for many job changes in their careers. He said the key to success is basic writing and analytic training at the high school and college levels.

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