Banking analyst Brett Le Mesurier rejoins Velocity Trade

Brett Le Mesurier is rejoining Velocity Trade. Picture: Graham Crouch

Former Shaw and Partners senior banking analyst Brett Le Mesurier is returning to Velocity Trade.

Sources said the banking and insurance research stalwart was rejoining Velocity Trade this week, after almost three years at Shaw and Partners. Le Mesurier parted ways with Shaw and Partners earlier this month.

His transition comes as ANZ readies to hand down its full-year profits on Thursday and Westpac, National Australia Bank and Macquarie Group report earnings next week.

Le Mesurier had a stint at Velocity Trade from mid-2016 to early 2018, according to LinkedIn. Prior to that he was managing director of research at Asia Pacific Prudential Securities and also had a stint at stockbroking house Wilsons.

Le Mesurier’s key calls in recent months included a sell rating on QBE Insurance, ahead of the company in September losing its chief executive Pat Regan due to a conduct issue.

In a research note after Regan’s shock exit, Le Mesurier released a note to clients which said:

“As Hamlet lay dying poisoned by treachery, his friend Horatio uttered the words ‘good night, sweet prince’.

“It is cruel to refer to the departure of QBE’s most recent CEO with such a Shakespearean quote. Hamlet’s motivation, character, thoughts and actions have kept scholars engaged for centuries. Such ongoing interest will not extend to QBE’s latest act.” In a report on Bank of Queensland this month, Le Mesurier raised his share price target from $6 to $6.50.