MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 19, 2008) — Seven Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. equity research analysts were recently named among the nation’s best in two annual surveys published by The Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal. Six Morgan Keegan analysts were among the top-ranked stock pickers and earnings estimators in the nation in the Financial Times/StarMine 2008 Global Analyst Awards published May 16, 2008. Also, Harsh Kumar, who follows the specialty semiconductor industry for Morgan Keegan, was ranked third among 73 qualified analysts in that sector in The Wall Street Journal’s Best on the Street annual analyst survey published May 19, 2008.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that Morgan Keegan equity research analysts finished among the top three in their respective industries in the annual StarMine rankings, and the second year in a row in which as many as six different Morgan Keegan analysts were honored. The Morgan Keegan analysts ranked in the Financial Times/StarMine survey for their performance in 2007 are:
- Robert Mains, First Vice President — #1 Stock Picker in the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Industry
- Brad Stephens, Senior Vice President — #1 Stock Picker in the Specialty Retail Industry
- Simon Leopold, Managing Director — #1 Earnings Estimator in the Communications Equipment Industry
- Bob Derrington, Managing Director — #2 Earnings Estimator in the Restaurants Industry
- Chaz Jones, First Vice President — #2 Earnings Estimator in the Road & Rail Industry
- Robert Dodd, Managing Director — #3 Earnings Estimator in the IT Services Industry
The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business information brands, partnered with StarMine, the leading provider of objective ratings of securities analysts, to measure analysts’ performance for the 2007 calendar-year. The rankings are based on the return of their buy/sell stock recommendations and the accuracy of their earnings forecasts. The full list of rankings and the survey methodology are available at www.ft.com.
Harsh Kumar, a managing director with Morgan Keegan, appears for the first time on The Wall Street Journal Best on the Street survey for his coverage of the semiconductors industry. Award-winning analysts in The Best on the Street survey were ranked solely on their stock-picking skill. Morgan Keegan’s equity analysts have been recognized in this survey 14 out of the 16 years it has been published.
"Once again, we are very pleased that Morgan Keegan’s equity research team continues to receive the national recognition they deserve," said Elkan Scheidt, managing director and Director of Equity Research at Morgan Keegan. “And while these annual honors are rewarding and well-deserved, our equity research team’s consistent exemplary performance and dedication is most evident in their daily commitment to our clients."
About Morgan Keegan & Company Inc.
Morgan Keegan & Company Inc., one of the nation’s largest regional full-service brokerage and investment banking firms, is the securities brokerage subsidiary of Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF). Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Morgan Keegan has over 4,000 employees providing services in some 400 offices. Additional information about Morgan Keegan is available at www.morgankeegan.com.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 100 Index and "Platinum 400" list of America's best big companies. With $144 billion in assets, Regions is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgage and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates over 1,900 banking offices and nearly 2,500 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.
Contact:
Eric Bran
Media Relations
Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc.
901.524.4114
eric.bran@morgankeegan.com
