PlacementTracker Publishes 2010 International PIPE Market League Tables

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sagient Research Systems, a leading publisher of independent research for the financial services and institutional investment communities, today announced that J.P. Morgan Cazenove Ltd, Patersons Securities Ltd, and Canaccord Genuity Corp. ranked as the most active investment bank for private placements by public issuers in 2010 in each of their respective countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Sagient Research also announced that the 2010 U.K. private placement market totaled GBP 11.66 billion (USD $17.90 billion at the time of closing) raised through 336 transactions*. This represents a 21% decrease in the number of transactions completed versus 2009.

In addition, the 2010 Australian private placement market totaled AUD 10.24 billion (USD $9.55 billion at the time of closing) raised through 593 transactions*. This represents a 25% increase in the number of transactions completed versus 2009.

Furthermore, the 2010 Canadian private placement market totaled CAD $6.35 billion (USD $6.15 billion at the time of closing) raised through 768 transactions*. This represents a 54% increase in the number of transactions completed versus 2009.

PlacementTracker, a flagship product of Sagient Research Systems, is well recognized as the leading provider of research, data, and analytics covering the U.S. private placement (PIPE) market. Commenting on the League Tables, Tassanee Sukramule, vice president of PlacementTracker, said, "While there was a sizable decrease in the placement market in the UK, the markets in Australia and Canada grew significantly by number of transactions. In Australia, although the number of deals grew, the aggregate proceeds decreased 73% in 2010 because of the existence of several large banking/financial offerings that skewed the market in 2009. So far in January 2011, the Australian market is already showing a 58% increase in number of deals and a 68% increase in the aggregate dollars placed when comparing to January 2010. We commend all of the active firms in the space and wish them continued success in 2011."

Parties interested in learning more about PlacementTracker's global private placement market coverage should call 001-858-200-2395 or visit us online at www.PlacementTracker.com.

*Investment Banking rankings include all equity and equity-linked private placement transactions conducted by public companies with a primary listing on the AIM and London Stock Exchange (for UK Transactions), the Australian Securities Exchange (for Australian Transactions), and the Toronto Stock Exchange, Toronto Venture Exchange, and Canada's New Exchange (for Canadian Transactions). On transactions where an investment banking firm has acted solely as Financial Advisor, that transaction has been excluded from that firm's ranking. Co-agented transactions award full transaction credit to all agents participating (regardless of status of lead agent or co-agent). Data is for closed transactions reported as of February 1, 2011.

A primary listing outside the U.S. is designated by PlacementTracker when the issuer has no U.S. listing or when the issuer has a U.S. dual-listing on the Pink Sheets. An issuer with a U.S. dual listing on the NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ, or OTC-BB is classified as a U.S. issuer by PlacementTracker.

About Sagient Research Systems

Sagient Research Systems is a publisher of specialized research and data. We develop, produce, and sell proprietary research products to global enterprises, including investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and government agencies. Our business strategy is to continue to leverage our development, technology, and marketing expertise to solidify our position as a leading provider of independent research. In 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, Sagient Research was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies. For more information, please visit the Sagient Research Systems website at www.sagientresearch.com.

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