Merriman Capital Highlights Long Call Option Opportunity in OCZ Technology Group

SAN FRANCISCO, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Merriman Capital, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merriman Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: MERR), today announced its research analyst, Joel Achramowicz, and head of derivatives, Joe Minton, recommend the purchase of a long call option in OCZ Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ:OCZ), a leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of high-performance and reliable solid-state drives (SSDs) and premium computer components.

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The Merriman team recommends purchasing the OCZ July 5 calls offered at $0.60 which may give investors unlimited upside potential while capturing any positive news when OCZ reports its fiscal year 2013, first-quarter earnings results on July 10. The position could result in a profit if the stock trades above $5.35 prior to the July 21 expiration – the stock is currently trading at $5.29.

Achramowicz commented: "Global demand for solid state drives (SSDs) continues to explode, and OCZ is the largest independent player in the sector. We believe OCZ could continue to post rapidly growing revenues, expanding margins and secularly improving bottom line results in the quarters ahead."

Achramowicz currently covers OCZ with a Buy rating and a price target of $11.50. Members of the media and institutional investors can obtain a copy of Merriman Capital's latest research note on OCZ, which was published on May 2, 2012, by e-mailing [email protected].

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  30, 2012 and the Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2012 . 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 30, 2012 and the Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2012, 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

Merriman Capital, Inc. makes a market in the underlying equity of OCZ Technology Group Inc.

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 Holdings, Inc.