Jefferies International Adds Energy Analyst; Charles Sharp to Cover UK E&P Companies

This addition by Jefferies International Ltd. follows the recentestablishment of a UK research sales effort and is complementary tothe equity research efforts in energy by its US affiliate, Jefferies &Company, Inc. The firm's overall research effort in the Energy Sectornow includes eight senior equity analysts worldwide. Jefferies'overall commitment to this sector also encompasses securities trading,with four dedicated traders firmwide, and full service investmentbanking capabilities, which were augmented in February of this yearwith the firm's acquisition of Randall & Dewey, a leading M&A advisorin the global oil and gas industries. This growth in resourcesdedicated to the energy sector demonstrates Jefferies' focus in boththe US and Europe on this strategic segment of the world economy.

"Mr. Sharp's diverse background and extensive experience andrelationships in the E&P industry extend Jefferies' global energyresearch effort and enhance the firm's resources dedicated to theenergy sector," said Cliff Siegel, CEO at Jefferies International Ltd."His focus on small to mid-cap companies in the UK and Canada isconsistent with the firm's strength in working with growing andmid-sized companies and their investors."

Mr. Sharp has more than 20 years of experience in the E&Pindustry. He joins Jefferies from Cannacord Capital, an investmentdealer, where he spent eight years as an equity research analystcovering small and mid cap UK and Canadian E&P companies. Previously,he handled software sales and marketing for Sierra Geophysics. Priorto that he was a seismic interpreter and processing analyst for bothTexas Eastern North Sea Inc. and Britoil.

Mr. Sharp has a BSc in Geophysical Sciences from SouthamptonUniversity and holds an MBA from San Diego State University.

About Jefferies

Jefferies, a global investment bank and institutional securitiesfirm, has served growing and mid-sized companies and their investorsfor over 40 years. Headquartered in New York, with more than 25offices around the world, Jefferies provides clients with capitalmarkets and financial advisory services, institutional brokerage,securities research and asset management. The firm is a leadingprovider of trade execution in equity, high yield, convertible andinternational securities for institutional investors and high networth individuals. Jefferies International Limited, a UK-incorporated,wholly owned subsidiary of US-based Jefferies Group, Inc., wasestablished in London in 1985 and is regulated by the FinancialServices Authority ("FSA").