Citigroup Investment Research Named Most Widely Used Provider by 79% of Large Buy Side Money Managers.

NEW YORK -- Citigroup Investment Research is the most widely used research provider with 79 percent of respondents utilizing it regularly, which is 11 percent more than Merrill Lynch and UBS, according to a just-released study from the TABB Group.

Commenting on this result, Director of Citigroup Investment Research William R. Kennedy, Jr. said, "Citigroup has embarked on a research model based on depth and breadth of coverage. We are very pleased with the TABB results as they validate our efforts to deliver quality, objective analysis focused on helping investors add alpha to their investment process."

He added, "Our strategy is based on the assumption that the firm providing the best execution and provisioning the best investment advice will eventually take most market share of the institutional commission wallet."

The TABB Group, a firm respected for its focus on Financial Markets thought leadership, interviewed 78 firms on all sides of the industry in its survey, from primary consumers (asset and investment management firms) to research producers (independent research providers and brokers/dealers with and without investment banking.) Of those surveyed, approximately 33% of the firms interviewed were based in the U.K.

In addition to the TABB results, in the most recent StarMine results, which viewed by some to be the most objective source in tracking the performance of equity analyst recommendations, has recognized Citigroup Investment Research as a global leader for its analysts' recommendations in the U.S., Europe, Emerging Markets and Hong Kong.

Citigroup Investment Research is a highly respected research unit and is comprised of more than 300 research analysts in more than 20 locations around the world. Citigroup Investment Research covers approximately 2,800 companies, representing an estimated 90 percent of the market capitalization of the major global indices, and provides macro and quantitative analysis of global markets and sector trends. Combined with Citigroup's exceptional sales and trading capabilities and Smith Barney's financial advisors, the core focus of the group is to help investing clients make informed decisions by providing value-added, independent, insightful analysis. Additional information can be found at www.citigroup.net/globalwealthmanagement/

Citigroup, the leading global financial services company, has some 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 100 countries, providing consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, insurance, securities brokerage, and asset management. Major brand names under Citigroup's trademark red umbrella include Citibank, CitiFinancial, Primerica, Smith Barney and Banamex. Additional information may be found at: ww.citigroup.com.