"Users can now work with both standardized and raw data in a single information source, saving time and money with one comprehensive public-company solution," said James Pearson, BvD's U.S. sales manager. "And with integrated ownership, news, ratings, and earnings estimates, OSIRIS is fast becoming a leading research tool both for CD and Internet users."

OSIRIS combines raw financial data with a customizable user interface to offer a single tool for global corporate search and analysis. Multiple, linked account formats on OSIRIS enable users to freely move between "as reported" and globally standardized accounts while retaining the ability to conduct comprehensive, analytical modeling and cross-border comparisons.

OSIRIS offers comprehensive coverage of over 25,000 companies from 118 countries, including 7,000 U.S. companies. Both interim and annual accounts are available for U.S. companies. Annual U.S. data dates back 20 years.

Financial accounts are collected from specialist sources, including World'Vest Base for companies, Fitch for banks, and Thomson Financial Insurance Solutions for insurance companies. Additional critical business information is integrated, including Reuters news; JCF detailed earnings estimates and recommendations; BvD's ownership database; and ratings from Standard & Poor's, Moody's, and Fitch.

Recent additions to OSIRIS will be available on both the CD-ROM and Internet versions, including stock data from Fininfo, industry codes from Dow Jones, and the ability to screen companies by independence and ultimate owner. In addition, BvD has recently signed agreements with local information providers for data from Japan, Korea, and China.

Source: Bureau van Dijk, New York, 212/797-7120; http://www.bvdny.com.