Morgan Stanley Names MDs

Morgan Stanley named 228 managing directors, including several high-profile investment bankers along with three analysts in its research division. They should be well-positioned for good bonuses as the firm also announced a 26 percent rise in fourth-quarter profits, spurred by rallies in the stocks, bonds and currency markets and increasing investment banking fees.

Financial News said the new class of MDs includes Seth Weintrob, a financial sponsors banker in with close ties to Blackstone, and Brian Neer, who heads structured credit in Asia.

Among those getting the nod in London were Jeremy Capstick, who is on the team advising Euronext on its proposed $21 billion merger with the New York Stock Exchange, and Giles Hutson, head of the debt syndicate business there. Also, Robert Lepone, head of European high-yield and loan trading.

Analysts Bobby Chada, who covers utilities; Andrew Hines, who covers telecoms; and Michael Eastwood, who covers industrials, were also named MDs.

Last week, Morgan Stanley announced a $40 million bonus to Chief Executive John Mack.