Commodity Online
LONDON: Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Research (BAS-ML Research) has announced the addition of two strategists to its Global Commodities Research team. Michael Widmer joins to lead the research coverage effort in metals markets and Tanapoom Damraks joins as a commodities strategist.

“These strategic hires confirm the commitment of Bank of America Merrill Lynch to the substantial expansion of our global commodities business,” said Francisco Blanch, head of Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Global Commodities Research. “We are expanding our team to provide broader and deeper commodities research for our clients.”

Widmer joins from BNP Paribas where he was Senior Metals Strategist. Before BNP, Widmer was head of Metals Research at Lehman Brothers where he had been responsible for building their base and precious metals research franchise in fixed income. He is based in London and will report to Blanch.
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Widmer brings to this role in-depth industry expertise and a thorough understanding of client needs having held a variety of senior commodities positions, including head of Metals Research at Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank, and Macquarie Bank, among others. He earned a dual MSc degree in Finance/Economics and International Management from the University of Cologne in Germany, according to a press release.

Damraks will earn a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago in June 2009. He also earned an M.S. in Economics from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in Informatics from the University of Tokyo and a BEng in Electronic Engineering from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Damraks is based in London and will report to Blanch.

The goal of the company is to be the premier global research franchise, providing clients with exceptional service, value-added investment insights and alpha-generating investment recommendations. Since January 2009, Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Global Research has hired seven analysts in EMEA and an additional 32 analysts globally. The Research team provides recommendations on nearly 3,000 equity securities and 850 corporate bond issuers. The group also provides economic forecasts for approximately 60 countries and recommendations on 40 currencies.