Bangkok--11 Feb--Standard & Poor’s World’s largest independent equity research provider extends reach Standard & Poor’s Equity Research today announced that it is expanding its award-winning equity research by initiating coverage of stocks listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). In total, 300 equities will be covered, with 60 being given a STARS “Buy/Sell/Hold” recommendation, and another 240 receiving quantitative coverage. Standard & Poor’s Equity Research currently covers approximately 2,000 equities in 120 industries in North America, Europe, and Asia. This additional service offering will be part of the research and analytics used by S&P Equity Research on a global basis to develop strategic investment outlooks and sector-level recommendations. This research is also the foundation of S&P Equity Research’s model portfolios, such as the S&P Global Picks, which represents the best thinking of the company’s analysts in the U.S., Europe and Asia. “Investors are looking for research and analytics that provide fresh investment ideas, which includes insights into additional markets that may have been previously untapped,” says Stephen Biggar, Director of Global Equity Research at Standard & Poor’s. “With the recent worldwide market uncertainty, this is a good time to expand our equity coverage by further leveraging our global equity staff. With, in our view, the strong possibility of a U.S. recession, it’s important to provide the information and data that highlight more investment possibilities, particularly for markets that outperformed during the recent volatility, to help investors adjust their portfolios and outlook.” Those companies being covered in a qualitative capacity will receive S&P’s award-winning STARS recommendations as a component of their stock report. S&P’s Stock Reports also include detailed financial information, such as sector and peer group analysis, and proprietary Standard & Poor’s metrics like Fair Value and Quality Rankings. The recommendation provided by Standard & Poor’s Equity Research is representative of a given stock’s potential for performance over the coming 12 months. “We believe investors should take an increasingly global approach to managing their assets,” says Alec Young, International Equity Strategist for Standard & Poor’s Equity Research. “Canada is among the world’s largest stock markets, highlighting the opportunity cost for insufficient exposure to this increasingly relevant equity market. From a strategic standpoint, we recommend that investors examine the prospects in this region to see whether they can derive value and complement their existing holdings.” Standard & Poor’s Equity Research delivers insights into stocks and markets, along with new investment ideas everyday through products, such as The Outlook and MarketScope Advisor. These offerings draw from data, knowledge and research, such as Standard & Poor’s Equity Research’s award-winning STARS coverage and Stock Reports. The statements above are from Standard & Poor's equity analysts and strategists, who have no affiliation with any company they cover, nor any ownership interest in any companies they cover. About Standard & Poor’s Equity Research Services As the world’s largest producer of independent equity research, Standard & Poor’s licenses its research to over 1,000 institutions for their investors and advisors, including 19 of the top 20 securities firms, 13 of the top 20 banks, and 11 of the top 20 life insurance companies. Standard & Poor’s team of 120 experienced U.S., European and Asian equity analysts use a fundamental, bottom-up approach to assess a global universe of approximately 2,000 equities across more than 120 industries worldwide. Follow Standard & Poor's equity analysts' U.S. market commentary each day at http://www.equityresearch.standardandpoors.com/. The equity research reports and recommendations provided by Standard & Poor’s Equity Research Services are performed separately from any other analytic activity of Standard & Poor’s. Standard & Poor’s Equity Research Services has no access to non-public information received by other units of Standard & Poor’s. Standard & Poor’s does not trade for its own account. The analytical and ethical conduct of Standard & Poor’s equity analysts is governed by the firm’s Research Objectivity Policy, a copy of which may also be found at www.standardandpoors.com or by clicking here. For more information contact: Jeff Sexton, Communications, S&P, Equity Research, Tel.: 212 438 3448 [email protected] Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), is the world's foremost provider of financial market intelligence, including independent credit ratings, indices, risk evaluation, investment research and data. With approximately 8,500 employees, including wholly owned affiliates, located in 21 countries, Standard & Poor's is an essential part of the world's financial infrastructure and has played a leading role for more than 140 years in providing investors with the independent benchmarks they need to feel more confident about their investment and financial decisions. For more information, visit http://www.standardandpoors.com. Key Contacts: Americas Media Relations: (1) 212-438-6667 media_ [email protected] Americas Customer Service: (1) 212-438-7280 [email protected]