Auriga Expands U.S. Operations with New Senior Management and Equity Research Presence

NEW YORK, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Auriga USA, LLC, ("Auriga") a research and trading platform and broker dealer, is expanding its senior management team and equity analysts in the United States. The firm is a U.S. affiliate of Spain's Auriga Global Investors, Sociedad de Valores.

In recent months, the U.S. operation named Douglas Bantum, Gene McNeil and Chris Beyer to direct the equities group, and hired eight analysts to augment its existing team of three. The research group concentrates on equity research in the technology, consumer, industrial sectors, with a focus on healthcare with plans to expand each sector and sub-sector capabilities. Members of the team include individuals with extensive industry experience and many have worked for the companies Auriga follows and their competitors. 

In a demonstration of its commitment to Auriga USA, the parent company has more than doubled the U.S. operation's net capital and has invested in technological advancements including the adoption of a new trading system.

In the key industries it follows, Auriga's U.S. research group coverage consists of large well-known companies as well as smaller companies who are underfollowed and largely ignored by the market, but have compelling stories and growth strategies. "Many companies are followed by dozens of analysts, even in narrow sectors. This can lead to consensus-type views," said Bantum. "At Auriga, our research is 'idea-driven.' We dig deep into companies to find and understand the unique strategies we believe have the potential to really drive upside performance," he added.

Bantum joined Auriga in 2011. Previously, he helped build the institutional sales and trading platform at Capstone Investments, and was selected by First Coverage in 2010 as the most consistent institutional sales rep worldwide. He has more than 17 years of experience in the delivery of value added services to high net worth individuals and institutional clients.  

McNeil also joined Auriga in 2011. Previously, he was a Senior Vice President of Capstone Investments where he was responsible for selling research, with a particular focus on healthcare. Before that, he spent eight years at Wall Street Access and was a trading desk manager at National Discount Brokerage.

 "We are invigorating our efforts in the U.S.  by hiring additional senior professionals. This action is a tangible indicator of a renewed commitment by our Spanish parent company and affiliate Auriga Global Investors, Sociedad de Valores," said McNeil. "I believe in this new team. They possess vast knowledge in the industries we cover."

Beyer has over 25 years of equity trading experience. Prior to Auriga, he was a Sales Trader at Collins Stewart where he focused on Healthcare stocks. Mr. Beyer began his career in Equities as a Position Trader, which ultimately led to his leadership in Biotech sector trading for SG Cowen. He transferred over to Equity Sales Trading, with a continued focus on Institutional Healthcare accounts. Mr. Beyer has had leadership roles running Sales Trading at SG Cowen and Natixis.

The growing research department includes highly regarded industry analysts with both buy-side and sell-side experience. Many have been recognized by key industry publications including The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

The new analysts who joined Auriga recently are:

• Claire Gallacher

Gallacher is director of research, and footwear and apparel senior analyst. Her coverage includes Deckers Outdoor, Lululemon Athletica, Nike, Skechers USA, and Under Armour. She has 18 years of experience in equity research with a concentration in the consumer sector, and has worked for Capstone Investments and Bank of America. Gallacher was recognized in The Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street Survey" for her stock picking in 2010. She has been a top-ranked analyst by Starmine and has made appearances on Bloomberg and CNBC.

• Gary Albanese, CFA

Albanese covers the food and beverage sectors as well as commercial weight loss companies. His coverage includes Boston Beer Co., Constellation Brands, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Herbalife, and Weight Watchers International. He has more than 20 years of experience in equity research, and has worked for Capstone Investments, Barclays Capital and Raymond James.

• Michael Callahan

Callahan covers aerospace and defense companies, as well as other industrial markets. His coverage includes Crane, Esterline Technologies, HEICO, Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, and TransDigm Group. Prior to joining Auriga, he was a senior industrial analyst at Capstone Investments, where he consistently held a top ranking by Starmine for both excess industry returns and earnings accuracy.

• Glen M. Losev

Losev covers the healthcare services industry. His coverage includes HCA Holdings, Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, LifePoint Hospitals, Quest Diagnostics, and Universal Health Services. He has 11 years of experience in equity research and stock selection, with a concentration in the healthcare industry. 

• Hari Chandra Polavarapu

Polavarapu covers the solar power and clean tech industries. His coverage includes First Solar, MEMC Electronic Materials, SunPower, Trina Solar, and Yingli Green Energy Holding. He has over 15 years of experience in equity research.

• Dan Whalen

Whalen covers the metals and specialty materials sectors. His coverage includes Allegheny Technologies, Carpenter Technology, GrafTech International, Schnitzer Steel Industries, and Worthington Industries. Prior to joining Auriga, he spent eight years covering the energy, industrials and materials sectors at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers.

• Difei Yang

Yang covers biotech/specialty pharmaceuticals companies. Her coverage includes Celgene, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, The Medicines Company, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and ViroPharma. She has over 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and financial industry.

• Kevin Dede, CFA

Dede covers software and hardware companies in the communications sector. His coverage includes large capitalization companies such as Apple, RIM, Ericsson, Qualcomm, Nokia, and Motorola, as well as smaller capitalization companies in wireless semiconductor, wireless component, software, and wireless services industries. He brings almost 20 years of sell-side research experience.

Auriga has also bolstered its institutional sales team. It doubled its existing sales group, by adding a number of sales traders and senior research sales professionals. Steve Conroy, Dana Cruz, Patrick Kilcooley, John Dolce, Sam Dubin, Matt Hochhauser, Matt George, Ladi Adebobojo, Anthony Politi, Tom Bacon, and Reynolds Ospina joined Auriga's sales group within the last two months.

Auriga had signed a long-term lease for offices in mid-town Manhattan, and continues to seek a select group of talented and experienced analysts. 

About Auriga USA

Auriga USA, LLC operates full-service institutional equity and fixed income trading desks with state-of-the-art communications technology and trading systems.  The Firm is a FINRA Member and SEC broker dealer with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and Texas.  Through its parent, Auriga Services LLC and indirect parent, Auriga Holdings, LLC, the firm offers a variety of services including whole loan trading and asset management. Through its Spanish affiliate, Auriga Global Investors, Sociedad de Valores, S. A., the firm trades European equity and fixed income products. Connected electronically to buy-side firms, the firm has the ability to route orders to multiple points of execution and subsequently to its clearing firm, Pershing, for settlement.

About Auriga Global Investors, Sociedad de Valores, S. A.

Auriga Global Investors, Sociedad de Valores, S. A., is an independent registered securities company with a multi-disciplinary team with a proven professional experience in consulting and wealth management, investment services and transaction processing in financial markets.

Auriga Global Investors' mission is to provide quality services and create value through each of its business units. The firm has offices in Madrid, Barcelona and New York, and is a member of the Comision Nacional del Mercado de Valores ("CNMV"), and the Stock Exchanges of Madrid and Barcelona.

SOURCE Auriga USA, LLC