SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Merriman Capital, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: MERR), initiated equity research coverage on Acorn Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: [ ACFN ]) ($7.80) earlier this month with a Buy rating.

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Acorn Energy, Inc. is a U.S.-based clean technology holding company with three operating subsidiaries in its portfolio. These companies cater to the safety and security market as well as employing cutting-edge technology to improve the productivity and efficiency of companies in the energy sector.

Research analyst, Jesse Herrick, highlighted these themes in his initiation report:

Diversified energy portfolio. Acorn has a strong portfolio in niche areas of improving energy infrastructure management and security systems. Acorn's management not only invests in but also actively participates in nurturing its subsidiaries to achieve their true potential. We believe an investment in ACFN gives exposure to a number of interesting technology companies each with their own strong growth potential within their respective markets.
History of monetizing investments. Acorn has been able to monetize its earlier investments with a strong degree of success. The Company has invested in and successfully divested innovative businesses on the verge of commercialization in the past. In recent years Acorn has divested its interest in a number of companies in niche energy areas, including CoaLogix, Coreworx, and Comverge, all at attractive valuations.
Acorn is cash rich. The Company's recent CoaLogix deal has made Acorn cash-rich, which will enable it to consider new opportunities. The cash balance of the Company jumped from $4.8M at the end of 2Q11 to $55.2M at the end of 3Q11, on the back of the all-cash sale. We believe the Company will look to reinvest the proceeds in the three existing subsidiaries, which are still capital-light and on the verge of growth.
Attractive Valuation. We believe that there is potential for robust growth in overall revenue in 2013, especially through follow-up orders for the existing "proof-of-concept" contracts for USSI's product lines. We have arrived at a 12-month price target of $11.47 for Acorn based on a sum-of-the parts valuation using an average EV/Sales multiple of peers for all the three subsidiaries.

Members of the media can obtain a copy of this Merriman Capital research report by e-mailing [ editorial@merrimanco.com ].

About Merriman Capital, Inc.

Merriman Capital, Inc. is an investment banking firm providing equity and options execution services, market making, and differentiated research for high growth companies. The firm also provides capital raising, advisory, and M&A services. Merriman Capital, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: MERR) and is the leading investment banking firm for OTCQX companies. For more information, please go to [ http://www.merrimanco.com/ ].

Merriman Capital, Inc. is a registered broker-dealer and member of The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) [ http://www.finra.org/ ] and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) [ http://www.sipc.org ].

Note to Investors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of the Company. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K/A filed on April 28, 2011 and our Form 10-Q filed on November14, 2011. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," and "would" or similar words. We assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Form 10-K/A filed on April 28, 2011 and 10-Q filed on November 14, 2011, together with this press release and the financial information contained herein, are available on our website, [ www.merrimanco.com ]. Please click on "Investor Relations."

Important Disclosures

This research has been prepared by Merriman Capital, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merriman Holdings, Inc. Some companies Merriman Capital, Inc. 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 Merriman Capital, Inc.'s 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.

Regulation Analyst Certification (Reg. AC)

All of the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the research analyst's personal views about any and all of the subject securities or issuers. No part of the research analyst's compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed by the research analyst in the subject company of this research report. Research analysts are not directly compensated for specific revenue generated by the firm's investment banking transactions/activities.

General Disclosures

Merriman Capital, Inc. expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services for all of the companies in its research universe in the next three months. Investors should assume that Merriman Capital, Inc. is soliciting or will solicit investment banking or other business relationships from the companies covered in this report in the next three months. Security prices in this report may either reflect the previous day's closing price or an intraday price, depending on the time of distribution. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.

Specific Disclosures

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

Buy: Merriman Capital, Inc. expects the stock price to appreciate 10% or more over the next 12 months. Initiate or increase position.
Neutral: Merriman Capital, Inc. believes the stock price is fairly valued at current levels. Maintain position or take no action.
Sell: Merriman Capital, Inc. expects the stock price to depreciate over the next 12 months. Sell or decrease position.

This press release is for information purposes only and should not be regarded as an offer to sell or solicitation to buy the securities or other instruments of the company mentioned.

SOURCE Merriman Capital, Inc.

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Merriman Capital Initiates Coverage on Acorn Energy

Merriman Capital Initiates Coverage on Acorn Energy