Stanford Group Company Launches Stanford Washington Research Group to Offer Unique, Policy-Focused Research
Archived March 3, 2005
Acquisition of Preeminent D.C.-Based Policy Research Group Positions SGC to Provide World-Class Differentiated Insight to Institutional Money Managers
Stanford Washington Research Group to Host First-Time Multi-Track Institutional Policy Conference in May with Keynote by Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell
Houston, Texas - March 3, 2005 - Stanford Group Company today announced the acquisition of the Washington Research Group, the foremost policy research organization based in the nation’s capital. The move is part of Stanford Group’s commitment to providing its institutional clients with a unique, differentiated offering - pairing investment-relevant policy insight with fundamental equity research.
The addition of the renamed Stanford Washington Research Group’s (Stanford WRG) unique policy perspectives to Stanford Group’s rapidly growing fundamental research capabilities reflects the Company’s drive to meet the most pressing needs of institutional investors: truly differentiated and value-added information, delivered in a consistent and timely manner. Together with the Company’s existing team of 28 equity analysts, the Company is positioned to offer institutional clients a comprehensive and exceptional range of investment insights.
In fact, for the first time, Stanford WRG will bring together all of its highly regarded annual sector conferences - Healthcare, Telecom/Media, Defense/IT, and the annual symposium - for a multi-track conference: the 2005 Institutional Policy Conference, for clients and invited guests of the Stanford Group. The conference is scheduled for the first week of May.
Led with a keynote speech by former Secretary of State General Colin Powell (Ret.), speakers will include senior-level officials and policymakers from Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch. In another first resulting from the new partnership, Stanford Group’s equity research team will have a complementary lineup of company presentations to augment the policymakers’ observations.
R. Allen Stanford, chairman and chief executive officer, Stanford Financial Group, stated, “At a time when much of the securities industry is scaling back its commitment to research, the launch of the Stanford Washington Research Group is a key component of our strategy to aggressively build our research capabilities for the long term and invest in new service offerings. This investment exemplifies our approach across our businesses of being leaders, not followers, and of doing the hard work necessary to uncover opportunities for our clients that they would not find anywhere else.”
Stanford Group has added 20 analysts over the last year to expand the equity research group’s coverage to 190 companies. Both fundamental and policy entities target growth sectors including Consumer, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, Media and Technology.
Danny Bogar, managing director, Stanford Group Holdings, said, “The addition of the highly sought-after Washington Research Group underscores our commitment to build our research capability with a particular focus on differentiated value-added insights often overlooked by many bulge-bracket firms. As we maintain the independence of Stanford WRG’s world-class policy research team and continue to expand our fundamental research capabilities, we’ll ensure the most in-depth coverage of the most critical growth sectors.”
Ed Garlich, senior managing director and cofounder, Stanford Washington Research Group, added, “Washington Research Group has found the perfect partner in the Stanford Group Company, a firm that is drawing out our full value by enhancing our highly differentiated research product to the benefit not only of our traditional institutional audience but also the retail market. With the increasing importance of government policy in driving business performance, both we and our clients gain competitive advantage from the unique combination of traditional equity research and sector-specific, investment-relevant insight on policy and regulatory issues that impact institutional portfolios.”
Group Taking Additional Steps to Maximize Research Value
Stanford Washington Research Group is taking a range of additional steps to maximize the benefits and value of both policy and fundamental research for clients of Stanford Group’s fast growing Institutional Division. These include:
- Expanding Stanford Group’s fundamental research capability to match strengths in Stanford WRG’s coverage areas (e.g., Defense, Healthcare);
- Ensuring that institutional clients receive both the policy and equity research they need on a one-stop basis, via a single, integrated sales force; and
- Launching Perspectives, a weekly report that pairs both fundamental and policy analysis.
Stanford WRG: Unique Policy Insights for Institutional Investors
The mission of Stanford Washington Research Group is to help clients understand Washington decision-making in a Wall Street context. Founded more than 30 years ago and based in the nation’s capital, the group has over 20 publishing policy analysts with a minimum of at least 10 years industry experience. Stanford WRG analysts cover upwards of 10 sectors and hold several annual conferences covering industry areas that include Healthcare, Telecom, Financial Services, Technology & Defense, Environment and Water, in addition to an annual Policy Symposium.
Through its deep relationships on Capitol Hill, in the White House and with regulatory agencies, Stanford WRG analysts provide timely analysis of policy, regulatory, legislative and judicial developments. Stanford WRG issues more than 30 written publications per week, including industry bulletins, an economic monthly and weekly/biweekly newsletters. Its analysts’ experience includes the White House, Congress, Federal Reserve, FDA, United Nations, Federal Communications Commission, Department of Defense, U.S. Court of Appeals, National Cancer Institute, Deloitte & Touche and various news organizations.
Among its many accolades, Stanford WRG has consistently been ranked in the top three for Macro/Washington research by Institutional Investor magazine.