New testing capabilities, more analysis features power up latest version of preferred trading software

SALT LAKE CITY, October 2, 2002 - MetaStock 8.0, a full-version upgrade of the award-winning software for charting and analysis of all types of securities, is available today in both end-of-day and real- time versions from Equis International (a Reuters company, NASDAQ: RTRSY).

The new version boasts a completely new Enhanced System Tester with the ability to test multiple trading systems on multiple securities, along with the ability to customize these tests with a multitude of trading variables, thus creating a more realistic trading scenario. Traders may also now use The ExplorerTM for online and new volume-based explorations, place up to 6000 securities in a folder when downloading data, and analyze securities with the new Equidistant Channel Line Study. Five new PowerPivotsTM models identify and label trading ranges for better entry and exit strategies. Traders can choose from a virtually unlimited color palette to customize charts. And MetaStock 8.0 still includes the powerful [censored]nal of MetaStock trading tools found in previous versions of the software.

"To succeed in today's volatile markets you have to minimize risk and anticipate changes before they hit," says Equis president and CEO Allan McNichol. "MetaStock 8.0 is designed to meet those needs, especially the Enhanced System Tester. Testing trading scenarios on historical data-before committing real money to the markets-creates a realistic preview of the results you can expect with your strategies. And for all testing and analysis, MetaStock 8.0 with the Enhanced System Tester is more thorough, powerful, and comprehensive than any other software out there."

The Enhanced System Tester

With MetaStock's Enhanced System Tester, traders can set up any combination of securities and systems they want to test (one system on one security, one system on multiple securities, multiple systems on one security, or multiple systems on multiple securities). For greater customization, they may place variables in their systems-entries, exits, expanded stops, order sizes, commissions, and more. Then one click sets the tests in motion, and the Enhanced System Tester tries every possible scenario with those variables.

When the tests have run, the new, more extensive system test reports show ranked results for each system and security. The System Tester also automatically plots buy and sell arrow and equity lines, allowing traders to track changes over a given test period. This helps determine which systems and securities work best together to earn consistent returns-and which combinations are not compatible.

Users can easily modify and save changes to the systems they have tested, and a MetaStock Wizard helps to guide them through the process of choosing systems and securities, setting up test options, and executing the analysis.

Improved Capabilities in The Explorer

The Explorer screens, scans, and ranks thousands of securities to quickly find those with the greatest profit potential based on the user's criteria. It also generates daily buy and sell signals. Now, in MetaStock 8.0, traders have the option of performing explorations with online data, saving them the extra step of downloading, storing and updating historical data to use in performing explorations. In addition, eight new built-in, volume-based explorations let traders search for a variety of high-volume stocks; a feature highly requested by MetaStock users.

Power Pivots Identify Trading Ranges

PowerPivots, exclusive to MetaStock 8.0, consists of three systems and two tools that offer the user an entirely new perspective of the market place. The first of its kind, PowerPivots uses proprietary algorithms to evaluate the market's current market trend and momentum, and helps the user to identify those key turning points in the market.

Other New Features

The DownLoaderTM is an award-winning data collection program within MetaStock that downloads historical end-of-day price quotes. Now traders can download data and store up to 6,000 securities per folder, making downloading data much more convenient, and easier to use with The Explorer and Enhanced System Tester. In addition, MetaStock 8.0 features a new indicator; the Equidistant Line study, and a virtually unlimited Windows color palette to customize colors for line studies, indicators, price styles, etc.

MetaStock's Established [censored]nal

MetaStock still features the impressive array of charting and analysis tools that have made it the favorite software of serious traders for almost 20 years. By combining MetaStock's nine charting styles and over 150 indicators and line studies-including Ichimoku Kinko, Linear Regression, Moving Average (7 variations), Stochastics, MACD, Relative Strength Index, Spreads, Trendlines, Fibonacci Fans, the new Equidistant Channel Line Study, and dozens more-individual traders can view and analyze the markets in unique ways.

MetaStock's Expert AdvisorTM lets traders know what top investment experts have to say about their trading scenario, as well as the technical state of the chart. In addition, the Expert Advisor can be programmed to identify and label 31 different candlestick patterns, monitor charts for critical situations, and flag special conditions, among many other features. MetaStock's DataOnDemandTM lets traders access online data and pull up their charts instantly-without the data maintenance chores of former days. More Internet features let users move seamlessly between MetaStock and their online trading. MetaStock also features Favorites folders for easy organization, Click and Pick/Drag and Drop functionality for timesaving ease, "SmartChartsTM" so important changes are never lost, individual chart toolbars for easy viewing and manipulation, and templates and layouts customizable for each trader's individual ideas and style. For greater customization, traders can apply the Indicator Builder and Function Library for creating user-defined or proprietary analysis tools, or OLE 2.0 compatibility for integrating analysis with other programs like Microsoft® Excel.

Pricing & Availability

MetaStock 8.0 is available in two versions. The end-of-day version is priced at U.S.$449.00, and the real-time version, MetaStock Professional, is priced at U.S.$1,695.00. Shipping and handling are extra. Subscription versions for both end-of-day and real-time are available for low monthly fees of U.S.$59.00 and U.S.$199.95, respectively. These prices remain unchanged from the previous version of MetaStock. These products can be ordered by phone at 801-265-8886 or 800-882-3040, by fax at 801-265-3999, or by e-mail at sales@equis.com. More information and online ordering are available at http://www.metastock.com.

Journalists and other qualified professionals may obtain evaluation copies by contacting Marilyn McDonald at Equis: 801-270-3131 or mmcdonald@equis.com.

System Requirements

The recommended configuration for the end-of-day version includes Windows ME, NT (4.0 Service Pack 6a or higher), 2000, or XP running on a Pentium III with 128 MB RAM, 60 MB hard disk space, an additional 200 MB for System Tester reports, a CD-ROM drive, a Super-VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors, Microsoft Media Player 7.1 for Expert Advisor multimedia commentary play, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.

The recommended configuration for MetaStock Professional includes Windows ME, NT (4.0 Service Pack 6a or higher), 2000, or XP running on a Pentium III with 256 MB RAM, 60 MB hard disk space, an additional 400 MB for real-time data and System Tester reports, a CD-ROM drive, a Super-VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution monitor with 256 colors, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft Media Player 7.1 for Expert Advisor multimedia commentary play, and a real-time data feed compatible with MetaStock Professional, such as eSignal or QCharts.

About Equis International

Equis International develops and markets MetaStock, award-winning investment charting and analysis software for individual investors, traders, stockbrokers, money managers, and professional analysts. MetaStock products include MetaStock for end-of-day traders, MetaStock Professional for Quote.com, MetaStock Professional for eSignal, and Reuters MetaStock Professional. Equis, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, was founded in 1982. In 1996, Equis was acquired by Reuters (NASDAQ:RTRSY), the world's premier news and financial information company. Additional information about Equis and MetaStock can be found online at http://www.metastock.com.