Francois Trahan to Join Wolfe Research

NEW YORK, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolfe Research LLC, a premier investment research boutique, announced today that Francois Trahan – ranked top Wall Street investment strategist by Institutional Investor magazine -- has joined the firm as Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Strategist.  Wolfe Research, founded in 2008 by former Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. senior analyst Ed Wolfe, has established a reputation for superior transportation research.  

Commenting on the hire, Mr. Wolfe said, "Having known Francois for a long time, I am well aware of the expertise, intellect and forthrightness he brings to his research. I am not alone in regarding him as the Street's best strategist and quant analyst. His insight into the drivers and dynamics of markets is remarkable.  For instance, his bearish call on housing prior to the subprime crash, as well as his push into equities before the market run-up in 2009, were spot on.  Moreover, he made me a better analyst while we were colleagues at Bear Stearns.  I am delighted that he is joining the firm and welcome him as a partner." 

Mr. Trahan was formerly an Executive Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist at International Strategy and Investment Group (ISI), as well as head of ISI's Quantitative Research Team.  Institutional Investor magazine ranked him top portfolio strategist for the past two years and for four of the past five. In 2009, Mr. Trahan also ranked third in the quantitative research category.  He joined ISI from Bear Stearns, where he served as a Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist for four years. Earlier, he was with Ned Davis Research and the Bank Credit Analyst Group. An economist by training and with a master's degree in econometrics, Mr. Trahan was educated at the University of Montreal.

Stated Mr. Trahan, "I respect what Wolfe Research stands for: non-consensus, thorough, actionable research coupled with a high-touch approach to service.  I am thrilled to be with the firm, and I look forward to helping it continue to thrive and grow." He added, "Macro research has proven to be extraordinarily important during these turbulent times. I think my understanding of the business cycle and how it affects the markets and specific stocks will allow me to further differentiate the Wolfe Research product with clients."

About Wolfe Research

Wolfe Research, a premier investment research boutique with approximately 20 employees, was founded in 2008 by Ed Wolfe after a distinguished ten-year career at Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. While at Bear Stearns, Mr. Wolfe was a Senior Managing Director and a Senior Analyst in the equity research department, where he directed a team that covered the Airfreight & Surface Transportation sectors. In 2009, Mr. Wolfe was voted to Institutional Investor magazine's prestigious All America Research Team for the tenth consecutive year, including eight years in the number one spot. He also has placed on the first-team in Alpha's Hedge Fund ranking of U.S. Equity Research Analysts for the past six years in a row. In June 2007, Forbes Magazine, in conjunction with StarMine, named Mr. Wolfe the most consistent stock picker and earnings estimator for U.S. stocks over the past five years, placing him above all 3,400 analysts on Wall Street.  

Wolfe Research services its institutional clients with unparalleled energy and a commitment to provide an edge in the market place through experience, hard work, and unsurpassed industry contacts.  The firm focuses on transportation and macro research but plans to expand into additional industry groups over time. Mr. Wolfe views the arrival of Francois Trahan as a critical first step in that regard.

On May 25-26, Wolfe Research will host its Third Annual Global Transportation Conference at the Fordham Law School at Lincoln Center in New York City.

SOURCE Wolfe Research LLC