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Two Sigma faces trading scandal after staffer goes rogue with investing model

Firm tells clients that researcher made unauthorised adjustments that resulted in $620m in unexpected gains and losses

David Siegel finds the hedge fund he co-founded facing fresh regulatory scrutiny
David Siegel finds the hedge fund he co-founded facing fresh regulatory scrutiny Photo: Victor J. Blue/Getty Images

A researcher at Two Sigma Investments adjusted the hedge fund’s investing models without authorisation, the firm has told clients, leading to losses in some funds, big gains in others and fresh regulatory scrutiny.

The researcher, Jian Wu, a senior vice-president at New York-based Two Sigma, was trying to boost his compensation, Two Sigma has told clients, without identifying Wu. He made changes over the past year that resulted in a total of $620m in unexpected gains and losses, according to people close to the matter and investor letters. Two Sigma has placed Wu on administrative leave.

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