Nomura hires Kurtz as head of Asia equity strategy

Nomura has hired Michael Kurtz from Macquarie Securities as chief Asia equity strategist, according to a press release. Kurtz’s appointment comes after long-term Nomura strategist Sean Darby left the firm in June to become global head of equity strategy at Jefferies.

Darby, who started at Jefferies in mid-September, was head of Asia strategy when he left, but his primary focus was on equity strategy, suggesting that Kurtz has been hired to fill that vacant spot.

Kurtz is joining as a managing director based in Hong Kong. He will work closely with Nomura’s economists, country strategists and sector heads, and will be in charge of publishing regional Asia...