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Sahem Announces New Agreement with FactSet Research Systems

2012-05-23

FactSet agreement marks Sahem’s third strategic affiliation with a US financial research provider to promote international investment in the Palestinian capital market

Ramallah, May 22, 2012 — Sahem Trading & Investments Company (Sahem), one of Palestine’s leading brokerage houses and an industry information pioneer, announced today the signing of a new distribution agreement with FactSet Research Systems (NYSE: FDS | NASDAQ: FDS), a world-recognized provider of financial data and analytical software for investment professionals. The agreement allows FactSet to publish Sahem’s research about the Palestine Exchange (PEX) and all publically-traded Palestinian companies on its information platform, where it can be easily accessed by portfolio managers and investment bankers at global financial institutions.

The FactSet agreement positions Sahem as a premiere provider of in-depth, up-to-date market research for Palestinian public companies trading on the PEX. Sahem’s strategy is to provide value-added financial services while promoting the local bourse abroad.  The goal is to generate investor confidence by providing a strong foundation of technical market analysis and comprehensive company data, and to encourage global institutional investors to view the Palestinian equity market as an integral component of a diversified emerging markets portfolio. 

Shamoil Arsiwala, FactSet’s Sales Manager for the Middle East and Africa, said, “For more than 30 years, FactSet has offered high quality global financial data to investment professionals around the world. With the Middle East becoming an increasingly important player in global markets, we see a demand for local research and market analysis. We are excited to provide Sahem’s research on the FactSet platform and to be able to extend our coverage in the region to include Palestine.”

Sahem General Manager Samir Zraiq said: "This agreement reaffirms the integrity, accuracy and credibility of Sahem’s market research data as well as our commitment to adhere to the highest global standards for our industry. We have unwavering confidence in the long-term viability of the Palestinian economy and in its capital market, based on our 360^o view of industry sectors and critical analysis of corporate fundamentals. As a member of the Massar International group of companies, our mission is to steer the flow of international investment capital into promising and undervalued sectors and by doing so, position the Palestinian economy and its financial services industry for prosperity and sustainability.”

During the past two years, Sahem signed agreements for the dissemination of market analysis with Zawya Dow Jones, one of the largest providers of financial market data in the Middle East and with Capital IQ, a subsidiary of Standard & Poor"s.  In addition, Sahem has an agreement with Auerbach Grayson to provide brokerage and market research services for institutional investors in the United States to facilitate and promote foreign investment in companies listed on the PEX.

About Sahem Trading & Investments

Sahem Trading & Investments Company was founded in 1999 by a group of experienced investment managers as an integrated stock brokerage, licensed and regulated as a securities brokerage company by the Palestine Exchange (PEX). Sahem is one of the largest subsidiaries of Massar International Group, a holding company investing in financial markets, real estate and services in Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, UAE and Eastern Europe. The company offers integrated, comprehensive investment and trading services on both the PEX and select regional stock exchanges and consistently is considered one of the market leaders in monthly and yearly trading volumes.

About FactSet

FactSet Research Systems Inc. combines integrated financial information, analytical applications, and client service to enhance the workflow and productivity of the global investment community. The Company, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, was formed in 1978 and now conducts operations along with its affiliates from more than twenty-six locations worldwide, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Mateo, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Dubai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Manila, and Sydney. FactSet is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ (NYSE: FDS | NASDAQ: FDS).  The Company was named the 2011 Best Research Provider at the Inside Market Data and Inside Reference Data Awards and has been included on FORTUNE’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work For and the UK’s Best Workplaces lists.