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Next-Generation Energy Index LaunchedMerriman Curhan Ford & Co. announced Friday the launch of the
Next-Generation Energy Index, comprised of 30 small- and mid-cap U.S.-listed
companies leading in the development and commercialization of fuel cells, solar
power, alternative fuels, energy storage and other supporting technologies. The Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. Next-Generation Index(SM) will be comprised of 30 small- and mid-cap U.S.-listed companies leading the important advances in the development and commercialization of five key NGE technology areas: fuel cells, solar power, alternative fuels, energy storage and other supporting technologies. Tracking began Friday. "For the last two years, Next-Generation Energy has been, and continues to be an important focus for our firm," said Jon Merriman, Chairman and CEO of Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. "We have dedicated a significant portion of our time and long-term resources to companies in this space. This index formalizes the depth of our strategic commitment and our belief in the non-hydrocarbon-based economy." Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. initiated coverage on NGE nearly two years ago, well before other firms on Wall Street devoted much attention to the sector, and well ahead of the upward trend in oil prices. Brion Tanous, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.'s equity research analyst dedicated to this space, now covers a comprehensive universe of companies, including those focused on fuel cells, solar power, alternative fuels, energy storage, hydrogen and other supporting technologies. A short bio on Tanous is attached below. "Based on our research activity in this space over the last two years, we've developed a methodology to select promising companies across various key technologies, representing a comprehensive snapshot of the Next-Generation Energy sector," said Tanous. "As geopolitical forces change the way we live, and investment interest in this space continues to grow on Wall Street, we believe that our index will be a barometer of the top Next-Generation Energy companies gaining market share." Important advances of the five key technologies are creating a shift in how the United States defines and invests in non-hydrocarbon-based energy. As a result, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. believes the NGE sector will continue to experience faster growth than traditional hydrocarbon-based energy markets over the next decade. Many of these NGE companies have already been strong performers over the last two years. The index weighting is based on a number of factors, including Tanous' equity research thesis. Fuel cells and solar power technologies are weighted at 25 percent each, while alternative fuels and energy storage are both weighted at 15 percent. Other supporting technologies are weighted at 20 percent. The index will update every 15 seconds during U.S. market hours. A three-chair Oversight Committee, led by Tanous, will rebalance the index both semi-annually and if there is a major development in one of the five key technologies. For more information, including a complete list of companies and their weights in the NGE index, please visit: www.merrimanco.com/NGEindex. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. will also showcase the new index at its upcoming 2nd Annual NGE Conference in New York City on Monday, May 15, 2006. Conference registration and information can be found at: http://www.merrimanco.com. About Brion Tanous Tanous' research efforts in the field of Next-Generation Energy have resulted in Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.'s thought leadership position in the renewable energy economy within the financial markets community. Prior to joining Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., Tanous held sell-side research analyst positions covering Data Storage, Industrial Technologies, and Electronic Manufacturing Services at Wells Fargo Van Kasper, Cruttenden Roth, and Dabney Resnick Imperial. Before entering the securities industry, Tanous worked as a process engineer and manufacturing manager at Parker Hannifin Corporation. While at Parker Hannifin, he was responsible for the manufacturing and process control of fuel cell stack plates - a critical component used in the Space Shuttle's on-board power generating system procured by United Technologies Corp. Tanous holds a B.S. in industrial technology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an M.B.A. in finance from Cal State University, Long Beach. About Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. and MCF Corporation Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. is a securities broker-dealer and investment bank focused on fast-growing companies and growth-oriented institutional investors. It provides investment research, brokerage and trading services primarily to institutions, as well as advisory and investment banking services to corporate clients. Its mission is to become a leader in the researching, advising, financing and trading of fast-growing companies. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and SIPC. MCF Corporation (AMEX:MEM) is a financial services holding company that provides investment research, capital markets services, asset management, wealth management, corporate and venture services, and investment banking through its operating subsidiaries, Merriman Curhan Ford & Co., MCF Asset Management, LLC, and MCF Wealth Management, LLC. MCF Asset Management, LLC and MCF Wealth Management, LLC are two recently formed businesses that are predicated on fee-based, recurring revenue models. Please note: The stocks in the Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. Next-Generation
Energy Index(SM) do not signify an equity recommendation by Merriman Curhan Ford
& Co., Brion Tanous, nor by the Selection and Oversight Committee. SOURCE
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D. Allan May 6, 2006 |
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