MFS Investment Management is further expanding its presence overseas. The company has opened a new investment research office in Sydney, Australia, its sixth worldwide.

"Expanding our research effort in Australia is an important step in strengthening our global research platform," David Antonelli, head of non-U.S. and global investments for MFS, said in a release.

Simon Gresham has joined MFS as research analyst in the new office and will lead investment research coverage of Australian equities.

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Company Press Release

BOSTON (May 15, 2008) – MFS Investment Management® (MFS®), the U.S.-based asset management firm that created America’s first mutual fund, announced today that it has established an investment research office in Sydney, Australia. The new office expands the scope of MFS’ integrated global sector research coverage provided by the firm’s research offices in five other key financial centers globally. Simon Gresham joins MFS as a research analyst and will lead investment research coverage of Australian equities, providing additional research coverage on related industries around the globe. The opening of the research office demonstrates MFS’ growing commitment to Australia, where it continues a longstanding distribution partnership with BNP Paribas Investment Partners and has managed institutional accounts since 1992, currently valued at more than AUS $8 billion.

“The Australian equity market is a vibrant and important market within the global financial system,” said David Antonelli, head of non-U.S. and global investments for MFS. “With strong regulatory oversight, dynamic capital markets and consistent, long-term economic growth, the Australian market provides tremendous investment opportunity for our clients. Expanding our research effort in Australia is an important step in strengthening our global research platform.”

Gresham, who will be based in Sydney, has served as a research analyst in previous roles throughout his 20-year career. Over a six year period at Merrill Lynch Australia he had coverage responsibilities for several sectors. He led the research coverage of Asia-Pacific transportation stocks, which included airlines, shipping, logistics and infrastructure companies and previously led research coverage of Australian basic industries stocks. Prior experience also includes serving as head of institutional sales for Merrill Lynch Australia, treasurer for Fletcher Challenge Canada Pulpco, equity analyst at McIntosh Baring Securities and development officer and economist for the New Zealand Ministry of Forestry. He holds a bachelor of economics from Massey University and has also completed post-graduate studies in economics and finance at Massey University.

“I am excited to join MFS—a firm with a long and distinguished history in the asset management industry that, over the past several years, has established a strong reputation as a provider of investment solutions on a truly global basis,” said Gresham. “I believe my experience in fundamental research will complement MFS’ investment approach. I look forward to adding an Australian perspective to our research process, to the benefit of our clients around the world.” In addition to its new research office in Sydney, MFS analysts and portfolio managers conduct original investment research in Boston, London, Singapore, Tokyo and Mexico City. MFS manages US $184 billion in assets on behalf of more than 5 million individual and institutional investors in more than 70 countries worldwide through a diverse line of institutional and retail investment products as of March 31, 2008. The company traces its origins to 1924 and the creation of America’s first mutual fund. # # # MFS Investment Management 500 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 14320 

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that MFS opened its newest office in response to the downturn in the U.S. markets.

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