SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: MERR) today announced that it has initiated coverage of the gaming and leisure sector under equity research analyst Adam Steinberg.

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Steinberg's research includes company coverage of Full House Resorts (FLL) and Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) with Buy ratings; Isle of Capri (ISLE), Monarch Casino (MCRI) and Penn National Gaming (PENN) with Neutral ratings; Ameristar Casinos (ASCA) and Boyd Gaming (BYD) with Sell ratings.

    --  Full House Resorts (NYSE Amex: FLL $3.15; Buy)
    --  Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE: PNK $14.57; Buy)
    --  Isle of Capri (Nasdaq: ISLE $8.95; Neutral)
    --  Monarch Casino (Nasdaq: MCRI $10.94; Neutral)
    --  Penn National Gaming (Nasdaq: PENN $28.93; Neutral)
    --  Ameristar Casinos (Nasdaq: ASCA $15.08; Sell)
    --  Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD $8.71; Sell)

Steinberg, managing director, brings to Merriman Curhan Ford more than 15 years experience in the gaming and leisure industry. Prior to joining Merriman, Steinberg was a director and head of gaming and leisure in Morgan Joseph's investment banking group. He began his tenure at Morgan Joseph in equity research specializing in gaming and leisure companies. Prior to Morgan Joseph, Steinberg was director of business evaluation at GTECH Corp., where he worked on new lottery and gaming business opportunities in North America and internationally, as well as created a detailed, analytical sizing model of the North American gaming market, which included identifying and projecting new jurisdiction opportunities. Steinberg has also held equity research positions at CIBC World Markets and Bear, Stearns & Co. He has been a member of equity research teams that have been recognized for stock-picking accuracy in The Wall Street Journal and Institutional Investor. Steinberg holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Florida State University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from Cornell University. He is a CFA charterholder and based in Merriman's New York office.

"We are pleased to have Adam onboard to help us re-establish first-rate equity research on the gaming and leisure industry," said Eric Wold, Merriman's director of equity research. "His research focus specifically complements our existing consumer and media research, where we have successfully differentiated ourselves to institutional investors by highlighting undiscovered, fast-growing companies. I welcome Adam to the team."

About Merriman Curhan Ford

Merriman Curhan Ford (NASDAQ: MERR) is a financial services firm focused on fast-growing companies and the institutions that invest in them. The company offers high-quality investment banking, equity research, institutional services and corporate & venture services, and specializes in three growth industry sectors: CleanTech, Consumer, Media & Internet and Technology. For more information, please go to www.mcfco.com.

Important Disclosures

This research has been prepared by Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. ("MCF & Co."), a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Curhan Ford Group, Inc. Some companies Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. follows are emerging growth companies whose securities typically involve a higher degree of risk and more volatility than the securities of more established companies.

The securities discussed in MCF & Co. research reports may be unsuitable for some investors depending on their specific investment objectives, financial status, risk profile, or particular needs. Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decisions and should not rely solely on this report in evaluating whether or not to buy or sell the securities of the subject company.

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Merriman Curhan Ford's full research universe and related disclosures can be downloaded from http://www.mcfco.com and http://mcfco.com/footer/docs/Disclosures.pdf. Applicable current disclosures for this report can be obtained by contacting editorial@mcfco.com or via postal mail at Editorial Department, Merriman Curhan Ford, 600 California St., 9th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108.

Key to Investment Rankings (expected total share price return inclusive of dividend reinvestment, if applicable)

                                                        Percent of
                                                         companies
    Rating   Percent of  No. of      Description      under research
                                                      coverage from
                                                        which MCF &
    ------    Universe   Stocks      -----------            Co.
                                                         received
                                                       compensation
              --------   ------                       for investment
                                                          banking
                                                         services
                                                        provided in
                                                            the
                                                        previous 12
                                                         months or
                                                        expects to
                                                        receive or
                                                        intends to
                                                        seek in the
                                                           next
                                                       three months
                                                       ------------
                                  MCF & Co. expects
                                   the stock price
    Buy              66%     59     to appreciate                  8%
                                  10% or more over
                                     the next 12
                                  months. Initiate
    ---          ---       ---            or                     ---
                                 increase position.
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                                  MCF & Co believes
                                   the stock price
    Neutral          33%     29       is fairly                    2%
                                  valued at current
                                  levels. Maintain
    -------      ---       ---    position or take               ---
                                     no action.
                                     ----------
                                  MCF & Co. expects
                                   the stock price
    Sell              1%      1     to depreciate                  1%
                                  over the next 12
                                   months. Sell or
    ----         ---       ---         decrease                  ---
                                      position.
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The information contained herein is based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is neither all-inclusive nor guaranteed by Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. No independent verification has been made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Opinions, if any, reflect our judgment at the time the report is first published and are subject to change without notice. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co. does not undertake to advise you of changes in its opinion or information.

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