REACH

Companies involved with the discovery, development and processing of raw materials. The basic materials sector includes the mining and refining of metals, chemical producers and forestry products. The sector is sensitive to change in business cycles and depends on strong economy. The sector is largely demand driven.

Areas of expertise: Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Metals & Minerals, Mining, Drilling & Exploration, Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing, Chemicals, Steel & Iron, Synthetics

Large corporations with diverse and often unrelated business units. Conglomerates are sometimes referred to as multi-industry companies which are involved in a variety of business functions simultaneously.

Companies related to items purchased by individuals rather than by manufacturers and industries. This sector includes companies involved with food production, packaged goods, clothing, beverages, automobiles and electronics. Performance in the consumer goods sector depends heavily on consumer behaviour. While some product types, such as food, are necessary, others, such as automobiles, are considered luxury items.

Areas of expertise: Appliances, Auto Manufacturers and Auto Parts, Beverages, Business Equipment, Cleaning Products, Confectioners, Electronic Equipment, Food, Personal Products, Rubber & Plastics, Textile, Trucks & Other Vehicles

Firms that provide financial services to commercial and retail customers. This sector includes banks, investment funds, insurance companies and real estate.

Areas of expertise: Asset Management, Credit Services, Diversified Investments, Foreign Regional Banks, Mortgage Investment

Companies relating to medical and healthcare goods or services. The healthcare sector includes hospital management firms, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), biotechnology and a variety of medical products. Having a consistent demand for goods and services makes this sector less sensitive to business cycle fluctuations.

Areas of expertise: Biotechnology, Diagnostic, Drug Delivery, Drug Manufacturers, Medical Appliances & Equipment, Medical Instruments & Supplies, Medical Laboratories & Research

Firms related to producing goods used in construction and manufacturing. This sector includes companies involved with aerospace and defence, industrial machinery, tools, lumber production, construction, cement and metal fabrication. Performance in the industrial goods sector is largely driven by supply and demand for building construction - residential, commercial and industrial - as well as the demand for manufactured products.

Areas of expertise: Cement, Diversified Machinery, Farm & Construction Machinery, Heavy Construction, Industrial Electrical Equipment, Industrial Equipment & Components, Machine Tools & Accessories, Textile Industrial, etc.

The portion of the economy that produces intangible goods. Individuals employed in this sector produce services rather than products. By contrast, individuals employed in the industrial/ manufacturing sector might produce goods such as cars, clothing and toys. The service sector primarily consists of truck transportation, messenger services and warehousing information sector services securities, commodities and other financial investment services rental and leasing services professional, scientific and technical services administrative and support services waste management and remediation health care and social assistance and arts, entertainment and recreation services.

Areas of expertise: Advertising Agencies, Apparel Stores, Wholesale, Business Services, Consumer Services, Education & Training Services, Food Wholesale, Industrial Equipment, Airlines, Management Services, Publishing, Research Services, etc.

Firms related to the research, development and/or distribution of technologically based goods and services. This sector contains businesses revolving around the manufacturing of electronics, creation of software, computers or products and services relating to information technology.

Areas of expertise: Application Software, Business Software & Services, Communication Equipment, Communication Services, Electronics, Healthcare Information Services, Information & Delivery Services, Information Technology Services, Internet Information Providers. Internet Service Providers, Internet Software & Services, Long Distance Carriers, Multimedia & Graphics Software, Networking & Communication Devices, Security Software & Services, Semiconductors, Technical & System Software, Telecom Services, Wireless Communications

Firms providing utilities such as gas and power. The utilities sector contains companies such as electric, gas and water firms and integrated providers.

Areas of expertise: Diversified Utilities, Electric Utilities, Electricity, Power, etc.