Bangkok--19 Jun--Standard & Poor's “EARNINGS OUTLOOK FOR REMAINDER OF 2008: IS THE FOG OVER EARNINGS LIFTING?” Firm’s Senior Equity Analysts to look at the economy and equity markets, with an emphasis on the financials and energy/materials sectors and the second half of 2008 on Monday, June 23 @ 10:00 am. Considering inflation, market volatility, and surging oil and commodity prices, what are the prospects for recession and economic recovery in the second half of 2008? Will operating earnings per share for the S&P 500 meet its projected gain this year? Will international stocks rebound in the second half and what are S&P Equity Research’s favorite overseas markets? What is the second half outlook for financial services stocks? What is S&P’s outlook for crude oil and natural gas prices and which energy sub-industries make attractive investments? Will U.S. steel prices set another record in 2009? What could derail the gold bull market in 2009? As the second half of 2008 fast approaches amid elections and economic uncertainty, Standard & Poor’s Equity Research Services’ leading economic and investment strategists will focus on investment risks and opportunities for the remainder of the year. This session provides investors with insights into the financials and energy/materials sectors, particularly as it relates to earnings, market indicators to watch, and the companies to monitor from an investment perspective. WHAT: Hosted by Sam Stovall, Chief Investment Strategist for Standard & Poor’s Equity Research, this Q2 teleconference will offer listeners actionable investment intelligence based on Standard & Poor’s insights as the market drives forward through the volatility that has marked 2008 to date. Questions will be taken from teleconference participants after a brief presentation by each panelist. WHO: Standard & Poor’s executives participating in the teleconference: Stuart Plesser, Standard & Poor’s Senior Industry Analyst, Financial Institution Equity Research Stewart Glickman, Standard & Poor’s Senior Associate Director, Energy/Materials Equity Research David Wyss, Standard & Poor’s Chief Economist Sam Stovall, Standard & Poor’s Chief Investment Strategist Alec Young, Standard & Poor’s International Equity Strategist WHY: Investors, advisors and financial media can gain access to the financial market intelligence of Standard & Poor’s, the world’s largest producer of independent equity research. Standard & Poor’s Equity Research delivers these insights everyday through products, such as The Outlook and MarketScope Advisor, which includes the newly introduced Advisor Communication Service (ACS). These offerings draw from Standard & Poor’s Equity Research’s data, knowledge and research from its award-winning analysts, proprietary STARS coverage and Stock Reports. WHEN: Monday, June 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EDT, for one hour. Event Details: click here to register for the event. One hour of CFP continuing education credit is available for this event. (If you experience any difficulty while registering for this event, please contact Marc Eiger at 212-438-1280, or via e-mail to [email protected].) 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: Marc Eiger, Communications, Tel.: 212-438-1280 [email protected]