Data Explorers Enhances Pricing with Integration of Markit Dividend Forecasts
London, 24 April 2006 – Data Explorers Limited (Data Explorers) today announced it has integrated specialist dividend forecasts from Markit Group Limited (Markit) into its Performance Explorer product. Markit is the leading industry source of independent pricing, valuations, reference data, dividend forecasting and index services.
Data Explorers provides state-of-the-art tools to monitor the performance and profitability of clients' securities lending activity. The company turns raw lending and borrowing data into useful, actionable information. Performance Explorer helps clients to increase securities lending profitability.
Julian Pittam, Managing Director at Data Explorers, said, "We decided to integrate Markit's dividend forecasting since it is the market standard. Not only will Markit's unique dataset further enhance our Performance Explorer product but it will improve our metrics across the entire product suite."
John Price, Managing Director of Markit Equities (formerly DaDD), said, "We are delighted that Data Explorers has selected Markit's dividend forecasts as an input into Performance Explorer. Our dividend service is used by securities lending groups at the major investment banks and fund management firms to enhance pricing since accurate dividends and ex-dividend dates are key to their calculations."
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For further information, please contact:
Data Explorers
Cathy Coleman
Tel: +44 (0)20 7 392 4000
Markit Group
John Price
Tel: +44 (0)20 7890 5010
About Data Explorers Limited
Data Explorers uses state of the art tools to monitor the performance and profitability of clients' securities lending activity. Our independence is our most prized asset. We do not have any role to play in executing transactions. Our clients rely on us to provide them with up to date information from which they, or their advisors, can make their own decisions and set their own priorities. Delivery of valuable information is at the core of our business and we take our client responsibilities very seriously.
About Markit Group Limited
Markit Group Limited is the leading industry source of independent pricing, reference data and valuations for the global financial and commodities markets. Markit has data contributed by over 60 dealing firms, and its services are used by 400 institutions globally. Areas of product expertise include OTC derivatives (credit, equity, FX, rates, inflation, energy, power, metals and structured products), corporate bonds, syndicated loans, dividend forecasting, and index and ETF management.
Markit has most recently brought price transparency to the European asset-backed securities market with the launch of the first independent ABS pricing service. Its position in the derivatives markets has been acknowledged by the industry with awards from Inside Market Data for Reference Data Provider of the Year 2006, and Company to Watch 2006; Risk Magazine for Trading Initiative of the Year 2006 (Credit Event Fixings); Structured Finance International's Editor's Award for Advancing Structured Finance 2006; International Securitisation Report's Editor's Award for Innovation 2005; International Financing Review's Innovation of the Year 2005 (Credit Event Fixings); Financial News' Best Derivatives Data Provider 2005; and Institutional Investor's Operations Management Award for Vendor of the Year 2005.