J.P. Morgan Holds Top Spot in Europe Fixed-Income Research, Institutional Investor Survey Finds

Barclays Capital, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Make Huge Advances


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 6, 2012) - With Europe's sovereign-debt crisis now in its third year, money managers want all the assistance they can get to help them understand the region's complex political and economic environment. The guidance they find most valuable is that provided by analysts at J.P. Morgan, which tops Institutional Investor's All-Europe Fixed-Income Research Team for a second straight year. The firm wins 14 total team positions, two more than in 2011.

Complete survey results can be found at www.institutionalinvestor.com.

Barclays Capital rises one rung to second place, but that seemingly slight advance belies the U.K. bank's stunning gains: It more than doubles its number of positions, from four to ten, with four of those teams ranked No. 1 in their respective sectors. Last year the firm had no first-place teams.

BarCap's rise bumps Deutsche Bank down one notch to No. 3, even though the Frankfurt-based firm enjoys its own admirable additions -- capturing three more positions, for a total of nine. Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the biggest upward mover, leaping from No. 7 to tie for fourth place with Morgan Stanley; the firms each claim six positions, up from one and four, respectively, in 2011.

The increase in total positions is attributable in part to a surge in voter participation. Last year's results reflected the opinions of roughly 300 individuals at some 200 institutions managing an estimated $3.5 trillion in European fixed-income assets; this year nearly 550 respondents weighed in from more than 300 institutions managing about $5.5 trillion in those assets. The ballot was unchanged from last year's.

"Client demand for high-quality fixed-income research remains extremely strong," affirms J.P. Morgan's Belton, who is based in Chicago. "Interest is focused as much on analysis of the sovereign and political landscape as on executable trade ideas."

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Contact:
Alyssa Walker
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