Morgan Stanley May Spin Off Its Quantitative Trading Unit

For nearly two decades, the mathematical whiz Peter Muller and his secretive band of traders have helped power Morgan Stanley (MS) to bigger profits. But now Morgan Stanley (MS) and Mr. Muller are in advanced talks about splitting up. Under the plan being discussed, Morgan Stanley would spin off Mr. Muller’s unit, called Process Driven Trading, and keep a minority stake. – The NYT