A last minute change in a software industry group’s meeting has raised questions about whether famed and infamous tech stock analyst and Silicon Alley Insider founder Henry Blodget may have a highly placed enemy among the traders at JP Morgan.
Shortly after noon today, the New York Software Industry Association changed the location of its monthly meeting from JP Morgan’s headquarters at 270 Park Avenue to 277 Park Avenue, a building that is also occupied by JP Morgan and is directly across the street. An email from the NYSIA said the meeting was being moved “due to a flood at the JPMorgan HQ at 270 Park.” But a JP Morgan spokesperson denies that there has been a flood at the building. Others at JP Morgan also said that they hadn’t heard anything about a flood.
So if the flood hadn’t occurred, why was the meeting being moved? JP Morgan Chase didn’t offer any further comment on the subject, and NYSIA did not immediately return our call. But some of the emails recipients have begun to speculate that the meeting may have been moved because Blodget, who was accused of securities fraud in connection with his stock recommendations in the 1990s and was scheduled to speak at the monthly meeting, could be persona non grata at 270 Park Avenue.
“I'd wonder if maybe some high-up didn't want Blodget around,” a person familiar with the situation told DealBreaker.
The meeting has been moved from one JP Morgan office to another, which might imply that it is a very particular group or person within JP Morgan who has declared the premises off-limits to Blodget. Although a variety of units within JP Morgan Chase are scattered throughout it’s various Park Avenue offices, the 270 Park is home to a large number of its traders while 277 Park is home to many investment bankers. So does some high level trader have a problem with Henry Blodget?
Our research couldn't produce a credible account of who might be feuding to Blodget or why. Many in the securities industry, however, still resent what they see at Blodget's role in besmirching their business. Blodget's first book, The Wall Street Self-Defense Manual, did not paint Wall Street in a particularly flattering hue.
Neither Henry Blodget nor JP Morgan Chase could be reached for comment on this important question irresponsible speculation.
Posted by AJ, Feb 11, 2008 3:21PM
Mmmm, irresponsible rumor-mongering... I love DB