Susquehanna Financial Group Continues Research Expansion With Additions of Top Analysts A.J. Rice and Chris Rigg to its Healthcare Team

NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP (SFG), the institutional broker-dealer member of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies (SIG), announced today it has hired A.J. Rice as its senior analyst and Chris Rigg as its associate analyst covering Healthcare Services. These hires broaden SFG's coverage of the healthcare sector and are complementary to the Medical Supplies and Devices coverage provided by David Turkaly and his team. Mr. Rice and Mr. Rigg will be based out of SFG's New York office.

"We are excited about the hiring of A.J. and Chris. Their coverage universe will broaden the fundamental healthcare research provided to our clients," said Jack Micenko, SFG's Director of Research. "Expansion of our fundamental research footprint continues to be a primary focus. This process began in 2009 with the hiring of Jeffrey Fidacaro (Consumer Technology & Hardware), Jonathan Casteleyn (Financials Institutions), and Charles Minervino (Oilfield Services). Last week we announced the hiring of Rachael Rothman and her coverage of the Gaming, Lodging, Leisure and Restaurants industries. Today's announcement is another step forward in the expansion of our equity platform."

Most recently, Mr. Rice has been an independent research provider for Soleil Securities. Mr. Rice was recognized by Institutional Investor and Greenwich Associates as being among the top analysts covering healthcare facilities for a ten year period. He has been the analyst for 16 managed initial public offerings and public offerings for 28 other companies. Mr. Rice has covered 26 sub-segments of the healthcare industry, including healthcare providers, medical devices and equipment, managed care, distribution and death care. During his 23 years in the industry, he has worked for several top Wall Street firms, including Merrill Lynch; Bear, Stearns; CS First Boston; and J.P. Morgan. Mr. Rice earned his BA in economics from the University of Virginia and his MBA in finance and accounting from Columbia University, where he is a guest lecturer for the graduate school of business.

Prior to joining SFG, Mr. Rigg was also an independent research provider with Soleil Securities. Previously, Mr. Rigg worked for CIBC Capital Partners as a director in the healthcare venture group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Rigg worked for Merrill Lynch as a fundamental equity research analyst. He began his career at CIBC World Markets as a financial analyst in the healthcare investment banking group. Mr. Rigg earned his BA in business administration and history from Muhlenberg College and his MBA from New York University.

"SFG has an integrated model predicated on differentiated research, integrated client solutions and robust trading platforms. A.J. and Chris are tremendous talents that will add value to our institutional clients and compliment our existing healthcare team, which includes recently hired Mike Karmiol, our Senior Healthcare Sector Trader," stated Cory Carlesimo, Head of Cash Equities for SFG. "We are aggressively building out all of our sector verticals as we continue our strategic expansion."

About Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP

Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP (SFG), a member of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies (SIG), is an innovator in global finance, servicing the needs of clients worldwide in the areas of sales, fundamental research, and market intelligence. Building upon SIG's command of the options marketplace and its quantitative trading capabilities, SFG has cultivated a robust service offering that provides liquidity, industry-leading insights, and execution services. SIG employs approximately 1,500 individuals located in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. For additional information please visit www.sig.com.

SOURCE Susquehanna Financial Group, LLLP