SEC Looking at Hedge Funds in Stock Placements

A long-running investigation into allegations of manipulative trading in the market for private stock placements by small companies is about to heat up.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is close to bringing enforcement actions against at least two hedge funds that have been active players in the $14 billion-a-year market for PIPEs, or private investments in public equity, people familiar with the inquiry say.

Within the past few months, the SEC formally notified one of the hedge funds that it is facing potential regulatory action by sending it a so-called Wells Notice. The other hedge fund has yet to receive a Wells Notice, but regulators are close to taking that next step, sources say. ...