Shebly Seyrafi

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (MLPFS) is the SEC-registered broker/dealer subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., ultimately held by Charlotte-based Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC). The firm was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in New York City. In 2010, Banc of America Securities LLC merged with MLPFS and the firm uses the trade name Bank of America Merrill Lynch. MLPFS's global strategy and economics team serves institutional and individual investors using a wide range of macroeconomic disciplines. Their analysis of global issues provides clients with investment ideas, market forecasts, macro overviews and specific sector recommendations across asset classes, regions and disciplines. Their equity research team conducts fundamental analysis on companies globally and provides institutional and retail clients with industry-specific and in-depth research and analysis on numerous industries. The firm's global fixed-income and equity-linked research focuses on fixed-income and equity derivatives, fixed-income strategy, convertibles, commodities, high-yield, mortgages, municipals and global foreign exchange.

Founded in 1995, Kaufman Bros. LP is a broker/dealer headquartered in New York City with an additional office in San Francisco. The firm is a member of the NASD, the SIPC and FINRA. Kaufman Bros. provides investment banking, equity research and institutional sales and trading. The firm provides fundamental research on the following sectors: (1) cable, satellite and interactive media (2) communications equipment (3) digital media software (4) green technology (5) information technology hardware and storage (6) information technology services and software (7) semiconductors and (8) telecommunications & data services.

Founded by Darren Caris in 2002, Caris & Co., Inc. is a broker/dealer headquartered in Del Mar, California. The firm is a subsidiary of B. Riley & Co. They offer research that is independent of their investment banking activities, as well as a full array of trading and execution services. Caris & Co.'s coverage includes large-, mid- and small-cap companies in the healthcare, technology, energy and consumer sectors. Their research is written for the longer-term investor with an investment horizon of at least 12 months. Caris & Co., Inc. is a member of the NASD and the SIPC.

A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. is a full-service brokerage firm. A.G. Edwards equity research team covers a wide range of industries including: consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, health care, industrials, information technology, material, telecommunication services and utilities. They also provide fixed-income research in the utility, auto, banking and finance, and telecom industries. A.G. Edwards was founded in 1887 by General Albert Gallatin Edwards and his son Benjamin Franklin Edwards. They are a broker/dealer subsidiary of A.G. Edwards, Inc. They are a member of the SIPC.

Credit Agricole Securities (USA), Inc. (Credit Agricole Securities USA) is a full service broker-dealer headquartered in New York City. The firm was founded in 2004 and formerly known as Calyon Securities USA, Inc. and Credit Lyonnais Securities, Inc. They are a subsidiary of Crédit Agricole Global Partners, Inc., which is owned by Rue la Boétie SAS’s Credit Agricole SA (EPA: ACA) in France. Credit Agricole Securities USA provides investors’ customized solutions to ensure they achieve their execution objectives in the tradition of service excellence and product innovation.

Founded in 1995, Capstone Investments is a broker/dealer headquartered in San Diego, California with an additional office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm provides a full range of institutional services including, investment banking, research, deal origination and capital introduction services. They provide fundamental research and investment opinions to their clients primarily on small- to mid-cap companies.

Founded in 1983, FBN Securities, Inc. is a full-service institutional brokerage firm that provides clients with equity execution, comprehensive trading, independent research and soft dollar services. As an independent firm with no proprietary trading conflicts, they strive to create true partnerships with their clients, allowing asset managers to maximize their potential while significantly reducing transaction costs. The firm is located in New York City