M&I Investment Strategies Recognized as Top 10 Performers

MILWAUKEE, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- M&I Investment Management Corp. (M&I IMC) today announced that the M&I Growth Opportunities Strategy and the M&I Small-Cap Growth Strategy were recently recognized as top 10 performers on the PSN Top Guns list by leading industry analyst, Informa Investment Solutions. The M&I IMC investment strategies received recognition for peer group performance through December 31, 2009.

The M&I Growth Opportunities Strategy ranked 10th by best information ratio numbers with annual returns that exceeded the style benchmark for the latest three-year rolling periods in the PSN Large Cap Growth Universe. The strategy is managed by Bill O'Connor, CFA, with support from Jeffrey I. Rogers, analyst, and members of M&I's equity research team.

"Large-cap stocks are, in general, extremely sensitive to the broad economic/business cycle," said O'Connor. "By evaluating economic indicators and market trends, the investment team can identify specific companies most likely to out-perform during the relevant stage of the economic cycle."

The M&I Small-Cap Growth Strategy placed 7th based on quarterly returns within the Small Cap Growth Universe and is co-managed by Ken Salmon and Patrick Gundlach, CFA, with the support of analysts Bryan J. Bigari, CFA; Ryan P. Bushman, CFA; and Earl R. DeLaet, CFA.

"We believe long-term stock performance follows improving fundamentals and the market often underestimates the magnitude and duration of changing fundamentals," said Salmon.

Gundlach continued, "We look for 'explainable growth' and avoid stocks with rising values based solely on the opinion or speculation of others."

"We are pleased to be recognized by Informa Investment Solutions' PSN as a top-performer in 2009," said Tommy Huie, president and chief investment officer of M&I Investment Management Corp. "This recognition validates our commitment to effectively manage our clients' portfolios, and the value we place on our relationships with advisors, consultants, and institutional clients."

The Investment Manager Top Guns list is powered by PSN, an investment manager database produced by Informa Investment Solutions, Inc.

About M&I Investment Management Corp.

M&I Investment Management Corp., an SEC-registered investment advisor, is one of the affiliates of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (NYSE: MI) marketed under the brand name M&I Wealth Management. M&I Wealth Management has over 1,500 associates, $122 billion in assets under administration and $32 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2009. M&I Wealth Management is a leading provider of trust, investment management and banking services to corporations, institutions and affluent individuals.  As noted above, M&I Wealth Management offers products and services through various affiliates of Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, including Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company N.A., M&I Investment Management Corp., M&I Financial Advisors, Inc. (member FINRA/SIPC, maintaining its principal offices at 111 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202), North Star Trust Company, North Star Deferred Exchange Corp. and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC.  Insurance coverage is underwritten by a number of insurers.  Insurance products are the obligation of the insurance company. Banking products and services are provided by M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank or M&I Bank FSB, Members FDIC.

©  2010 Marshall & Ilsley Corporation

Investment products are:  Not FDIC insured | No bank guarantee | May lose value

The PSN Small Cap Growth Universe, the PSN Large Cap Growth Universe and rankings were created using the PSN Enterprise Software. PSN Enterprise is independently maintained by Informa Investment Solutions from investment manager submissions to the PSN database. A fee was paid to the firm for the use of the software. Rankings are based on performance results that are gross of fees.

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the M&I Growth Opportunities Strategy ranked 84 out of  362 managers within the PSN Large Cap Growth Universe. For the 3-year period, it ranked 65 out of 347. For the 5-year period it ranked 64 out of 321. For the 10-year period it ranked 118 out of 237.

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/09, the M&I Small-Cap Growth Strategy ranked 40 out of 225 managers within the PSN Small Cap Growth Universe. For the 3-year period it ranked 17 out of 210 managers.  For the 5-year period it ranked 19 out of 190 managers. For the 10-year period it ranked 34 out of 128 managers.

SOURCE Marshall & Ilsley Corporation