Empresas y finanzas

WSI Introduces MarketFirst(TM) for Europe



    WSI Corporation, the world's leading provider of weather-driven
    business solutions, today announced WSI MarketFirst(TM) for the
    western European market, a proprietary, patent-pending technique to
    predict the forecast of future weather model runs, including the
    European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the
    Global Forecasting System (GFS) issued by NOAA. The product is unique
    in that it is a "forecast of a forecast", rather than a forecast of
    the weather.

    Because weather drives the natural gas, electricity, and
    hydro-electric energy markets, WSI MarketFirst is issued one hour
    before the ECMWF and GFS Operational runs, providing early, valuable
    information to European energy traders. WSI MarketFirst predicts
    future model runs correctly 70 to 80 percent of the time.

    "Energy traders are looking for unique, innovative products that
    give them an edge in the market," said Ira Scharf, WSI's Vice
    President of Energy Services. "There is additional complexity in
    Europe as there are a number of different weather models that move the
    energy markets. WSI has developed a suite of model forecasts to
    specifically address the needs of European traders looking for an
    advantage in this challenging environment. WSI MarketFirst is truly a
    breakthrough product that no one else in the industry can offer."

    About WSI MarketFirst

    WSI MarketFirst predicts changes in the ECMWF for Europe (12Z &
    00Z) as well as the GFS for Europe (12Z & 06Z) and the US (12Z)
    Operational runs, relative to each prior operational run. It is
    available one hour before the ECMWF 12Z and 00Z and the GFS 06Z and
    12Z models become available.

    Available in the US and in Europe, the products are comprised of
    individual forecasts for each day as well as two aggregate forecast
    periods. Because several forecast models impact the European energy
    markets WSI MarketFirst for Europe is available for both the ECMWF and
    GFS operational runs and a number of time periods in order to meet
    customers' specific trading needs.

    The aggregate skill of the technique, expressed in terms of
    directional correctness, is 70 percent. However, for the 40 percent of
    WSI's forecasts in which its confidence is highest, skill increases to
    80 percent.

    To learn more about WSI MarketFirst please contact Mark
    Stephens-Row at +44 (0) 7802 592 100.

    About WSI Corporation

    WSI Corporation is the world's leading provider of weather-driven
    business solutions for professionals in the aviation, media and energy
    markets, and multiple federal and state government agencies. WSI is
    headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts with offices in Birmingham,
    England, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landmark Communications,
    Inc.

    More information about WSI can be found at www.wsieurope.com