MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 15, 2009) — Five Morgan Keegan & Company equity research analysts were among the top-ranked stock pickers and earnings estimators in the nation in The Financial Times/StarMine 2009 Analyst Awards. Four were at the top in their respective industry – Bob Derrington and John Lawrence ranked #1 for their stock picking ability while Tavis McCourt and Michael Drickamer took the top spot for earnings estimator.
This marks the seventh consecutive year that Morgan Keegan equity research analysts finished among the top three in their respective industries in the annual StarMine rankings, and the third year in a row in which as many as five different Morgan Keegan analysts were honored. The Morgan Keegan analysts ranked in The Financial Times/StarMine survey for their performance in 2008 are:
- Bob Derrington, Managing Director - #1 Stock Picker in the Restaurants Industry (fourth consecutive year in the StarMine rankings)
- John Lawrence, Managing Director - #1 Stock Picker and #3 Earnings Estimator in the Specialty Retail Industry (first appearance in StarMine rankings)
- Tavis McCourt, Managing Director - #1 Earnings Estimator in the Communications Equipment Industry (second year in the StarMine rankings)
- Michael Drickamer, Senior Vice President - #1 Earnings Estimator in the Energy Equipment & Services Industry (first appearance in StarMine rankings)
- Brent Rakers, Managing Director - #2 Earnings Estimator in the Trading Companies & Distributors Industry (fourth year in the StarMine rankings)
“We are very pleased to have our equity research analysts recognized in this ranking, especially with the turbulence in the markets last year,” said Elkan Scheidt, director of equity research at Morgan Keegan. “It reaffirms Morgan Keegan’s commitment to providing the best equity research for our clients and our dedication to being among the best in the industry.”
The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business information brands, partnered with Thomson Reuters’ StarMine, the leading provider of objective ratings of securities analysts, to measure analysts’ performance for the 2008 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.starmine.com.
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 arm of Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF). Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Morgan Keegan has more than 4,400 employees in over 300 offices. Additional information about Morgan Keegan can be found at www.morgankeegan.com.
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation, with $142 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 100 Index and 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 1,900 banking offices and approximately 2,300 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.
Contact:
Eric Bran
Morgan Keegan & Company
901/524.4114
eric.bran@morgankeegan.com
