Jefferies International Limited, a subsidiary of US-based Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF - News), today announced the hiring of Christopher Combe as a Senior Equity Research Analyst covering transportation, logistics and container shipping. Mr. Combe has a decade of experience as an analyst in shipping, logistics and transportation, including integrators, trucking, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and ports, as well as utilities and energy.

The hiring of Mr. Combe extends Jefferies' established coverage of the maritime industry in the US, as well as the firm's growing European research effort across a number of sectors. In this effort, London-based Mr. Combe joins Douglas Mavrinac, a senior equity research analyst based in Houston, Texas. Mr. Mavrinac currently provides comprehensive global coverage of the maritime shipping industry, with a focus on companies that transport crude oil, refined petroleum products, LNG and dry bulk commodities.

Jefferies' coverage of the Energy sector now consists of eleven analysts following equity, high yield and convertible securities. This global energy coverage includes the shipping, logistics, transportation, exploration and production, oil services and drilling, gas and electric utility industries. A continued expansion in this area highlights the Firm's overall commitment to this strategic and thriving segment of the world economy.

"The addition of Chris Combe demonstrates Jefferies' deep commitment to shipping and logistics, and builds upon the Firm's overall research coverage in the UK and Europe," commented Steven Black, Director of Equity Research at Jefferies & Company, Inc. "His broad and diverse experience and relationships in the US and Europe will significantly extend Jefferies' reach and add immediate value to our institutional offering."

"Advancements in the field of logistics and evolving transportation modes and methods have created tremendous opportunities for investors globally," said Mr. Combe. "I am delighted to leverage my insight and expertise to provide unique investment ideas to Jefferies' global clientele and support the Firm's growing presence as a global, full-service investment bank in Europe."

Jefferies is a leading provider of research and capital markets capabilities to growing and mid-sized energy companies and their investors. In addition to its energy research practice, the Firm's total commitment to the energy sector includes six securities traders, and more than 100 investment banking professionals.

Jefferies' broad equity research effort has received key industry accolades, ranking second in The Wall Street Journal "Best on the Street" 2005 Analysts Survey with a total of eight awards. The Firm was among the Top 10 most award-winning brokers as ranked by StarMine in 2004, with eight analyst honors. In total, Jefferies and its affiliates now have more than 140 research professionals in the US, Europe and Asia covering over 1,300 companies in the areas of aerospace and defense, energy, gaming, healthcare, industrial, media and entertainment, shipping, technology, telecommunications and business, consumer, financial and IT services.

Prior to joining Jefferies, Mr. Combe led the European Logistics / Shipping research team for Bear Stearns' international division, and was a senior associate in that firm's New York-based US Transport research team. On the industry side, he held analyst positions at California-based New West Energy Corporation and The Salt River Project. Mr. Combe graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University with a BS in Economics.

Mr. Combe will be based in Jefferies' London office where the Firm has nearly 300 employees engaged in investment banking, securities brokerage, research and asset management activities.