ADVISORY/Independent Research Conference Scheduled for March 10.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...For March 10

Independent Research Conference

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2004

Investorside Research Association:

WHAT:     Independent's Day - The First Ever Independent Research
          Conference hosted by Investorside Research Association, the
          association for independent research firms that are
          certified-free of investment banking conflicts, and Thomson
          Financial, the leading provider of information and
          technology solutions to the global financial community

DETAILS:  Come and hear the Market's Best Watchdogs - Sixteen of North
          America's best independent research firms, including the
          researchers who uncovered the problems at Enron, Imclone,
          Sunbeam, Parmalat and Worldcom.

          The conference also includes roundtable discussions on:

          --  How can investment trading commissions, or soft dollars,
              be made more accountable? (moderated by John Meserve,
              President, BNY Jaywalk)

          --  What's the future of independent research and why it's a
              necessity in today's environment? (moderated by John
              Eade, Argus Research)

          Presentations by:

          --  Lisa Shalett, CEO, Sanford C. Bernstein
          --  Howard Schilit, Founder, The Center for Financial
              Research & Analysis
          --  Scott Cleland, CEO, Precursor, Chairman, Investorside
              Research Association
          --  Debra Walton, Global Managing Director, Research at
              Thomson Financial
          --  Stanton Green, President, Vista Research
          --  Mark Roberts, Principal and Director of Research, Off
              Wall Street Consulting Group

WHERE:    Hotel Inter-Continental
          111 East 48th Street, NY

WHEN:     Wednesday, March 10, 2004

   If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Joy
 Howell, Investorside, 202/828-7838, Ayesha Haider, Thomson Financial,
       646-822-2698 or Ed Sweeney, TowersGroup, 212-354-6450, or
                      [e-mail].