Morgan Stanley Reduces Exposure to European Countries by Roughly 15%

“Morgan Stanley (MS), owner of the world’s largest brokerage, said its net exposure to five ofEurope’s most-indebted nations was $2.41 billion, down from $3.06 billion in January.

Morgan Stanley’s net exposure to the five countries — Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain — was $4.01 billion before hedges, according to figures posted yesterday on the New York-based bank’s website. Net exposure to France rose to $4.14 billion from $1.71 billion as of Dec. 31.

Concern that Europe’s debt crisis would spark bank losses contributed to a 41 percent tumble for Morgan Stanley’s shares in the third quarter of last year. The firm said in October that its net exposure to the five was $3 billion, helping halt the decline of the shares….”

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