New investment service for govt. IT market debuts

Jefferies Group Inc. of New York announced April 24 the formation of a new entity, Jefferies/Quarterdeck LLC, to expand its existing strategic relationship with Quarterdeck Investment Partners LLC.

Jefferies/Quarterdeck will provide all aerospace, defense and government IT-related financing and research products currently offered under a strategic relationship between the two firms.

Jefferies Group Inc. is a holding company whose affiliated companies, including its principal operating subsidiary, Jefferies & Company Inc., offer a variety of services for institutional investors and small to midcap companies.

Quarterdeck is an investment banking firm based in Los Angeles, focusing exclusively on the global aerospace, defense and federal information technology markets.

"It has been a unique opportunity to combine the benefits of the distribution, trading and research capabilities of Jefferies with the renowned industry knowledge and expertise of Quarterdeck," said Richard Handler, chairman and chief executive officer of Jefferies Group Inc.

By formally combining the Jefferies and Quarterdeck names, the companies will build upon the initial successes of their relationship in a sector that is one of the bright spots for the capital markets, Handler said.