Key Takeaways
- Veteran analyst Dan Ives has departed Wedbush Securities following an eight-year tenure to establish his own merchant bank
- The new enterprise will integrate research analysis, strategic advisory, capital formation, and direct investment activities
- Primary focus areas include artificial intelligence and associated industries such as technology, energy infrastructure, and financial services
- Ives published a SpaceX Outperform rating one day prior to announcing his Wedbush departure
- Wedbush Securities has yet to announce Ives’ successor
Dan Ives, among Wall Street’s most prominent voices in technology equity research, has departed Wedbush Securities. His career at the firm spanned eight years, while his overall technology coverage experience exceeds 25 years.
Ives revealed plans to launch what he characterizes as a “modern merchant bank.” The institution will consolidate research capabilities, strategic consulting, capital-raising functions, and investment operations under a single organizational structure.
The enterprise will concentrate on artificial intelligence and the transformative impact it’s generating throughout various economic sectors. Target industries encompass technology, energy infrastructure, and financial services.
In an interview with CNBC, Ives indicated his intention to maintain technology equity coverage through research publications while simultaneously developing the firm’s comprehensive business model. Official announcement of the new venture is anticipated within the next several weeks.
He stated the organization will attract professionals from throughout Wall Street. Ives has established a reputation for optimistic perspectives on AI-related enterprises and regular contributions to financial media programming.
Wedbush Securities acknowledged the departure through an official statement released Wednesday. CEO Gary Wedbush characterized the move as “a natural step for Dan to seize an entrepreneurial opportunity.”
Ives provided notification to Wedbush on Wednesday. His final day with the organization was the same day.
SpaceX Report Creates Timeline Concerns
Just twenty-four hours before informing Wedbush of his departure, Ives published inaugural coverage on Elon Musk’s SpaceX, assigning an Outperform recommendation. A CNBC host questioned him explicitly regarding the sequence of events.
“From a timing perspective, you never could coordinate these things,” Ives responded.
Ives has maintained multiple positions beyond his primary analyst responsibilities. Barron’s reported in January that he served as an adviser to Zeta Global Holdings, a publicly listed marketing technology enterprise, while simultaneously chairing another technology company.
These external engagements were not consistently disclosed within his research publications during that period, prompting concerns from Wall Street professionals regarding potential conflicts of interest. Following the Barron’s publication, Ives began incorporating disclosures into his social media communications.
Previous Positions and Exits
In March, Ives resigned from his chairman position at Eightco Holdings, a digital-assets enterprise whose stock was valued at 71 cents per share. Cryptocurrency investor Tom Lee assumed a board position to replace him.
Ives had represented two Wedbush exchange-traded funds as their primary spokesperson. He additionally introduced a personal apparel brand in the previous year.
Wedbush has not identified Ives’ successor. The firm stated the transition represents “the next phase of growth” for its technology research division and investment banking operations.
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