Townsend Analytics Expands Direct Access to German Markets with Baader Group and XONTRO System Linkage

CHICAGO, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Townsend Analytics ( http://www.townsendanalytics.com/ ), a leading provider of multi-broker, multi-asset, multi-currency, and multi-route electronic trading solutions for the global capital markets, has expanded its partnership with Baader Group to include direct market access (DMA) to the XONTRO warrants market in Germany and other global markets.

The Baader Group already offers electronic trading of German equities on XETRA through Townsend Analytics' flagship Execution Management System (EMS), RealTick(R) ( http://www.realtick.com/ ). By joining Townsend's multi-broker network, Baader expands its electronic execution capabilities to include foreign and domestic stocks, equity-based warrants, fixed income and derivative products, and major futures markets. Baader also will be able to offer access to regional German markets via the new XONTRO exchange order routing system through RealTick.

RealTick clients -- which include hedge funds, institutional and proprietary trading desks, asset managers and professional traders -- benefit from being able to electronically execute more than 79,500 exchange-listed products through one of the leading securities trading banks in Europe.

"Through RealTick, Baader Group can now offer our clients a single- platform solution for access to global exchanges as well as advanced trading functionality," comments Edward Strauss, Head of Sales and ElectronicTrading for Baader. "And as we seek to broaden our electronic execution business, we know that Townsend Analytics can seamlessly add new exchanges, products and markets," Strauss adds.

"We are excited to be in a position to expand upon our existing RealTick EMS offering to Baader Group," stated Townsend Analytics CEO Jeff Wecker. "This expansion is again proof of Townsend's commitment to supporting the growth of our European client base and represents a natural progression in our global multi-broker and multi-routing capabilities."

By choosing RealTick as the front end to its electronic execution services, Baader Group gains a flexible technology partner who can expand access to global markets and additional asset classes as desired. The agreement also allows Baader Group to accept multi-broker order flow from RealTick's substantial client base in 94 countries and territories around the world.

About RealTick

RealTick, created by Townsend Analytics, is the electronic trading industry's premier multi-asset, multi-broker, and multi-route direct-access trading platform. RealTick delivers real-time market data, news and analytics; sophisticated trading tools; unrivaled access to brokers, exchanges and ECNs; and risk management tools to institutions, broker-dealers and individual investors. RealTick's advanced technical design is supported by state-of-the- art data centers and a redundant network for market data and orders. For more information, visit http://www.realtick.com/ .

  *RealTick is a registered trademark of Townsend Analytics, Ltd.

  About Townsend Analytics

Townsend Analytics has been changing the way the world trades since 1985. The Chicago-based company created many technology innovations that are now considered standards in the financial services industry. These include the first real-time financial software under Microsoft Windows(R); the first product to provide real-time streaming data over the Internet; the first integrated solution for NASDAQ trading rooms; and the first Windows-based direct-access trading solution. Townsend Analytics also developed Archipelago and the Archipelago Exchange, the nation's first all-electronic, fully open exchange. The firm has engineered direct-access solutions for money managers, asset managers, hedge funds and mutual funds worldwide. The firm's four main lines of business include Trading Services, Content Services, Exchange Services, and Risk Management Services. Townsend Analytics, Ltd. is a wholly owned, independently-operated subsidiary of Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH) . For more information, visit http://www.taltrade.com/ .

About Baader Wertpapierhandelsbank AG

With approximately 270 employees in the group, Baader Wertpapierhandelsbank AG is one of the leading securities trading banks in Europe. Since its beginnings as a specialist for foreign shares listed on German exchanges, the company has steadily expanded its business to encompass specialist activities for more than 120,000 exchange listed instruments, including foreign and domestic equities as well as warrants, certificates and fixed income products. In addition to classical stock market trading, Baader has an active agency trading desk where both full service brokerage and electronic market access is offered. For further information please visit: http://www.baaderbank.de/