BUSINESS MEMO: A.G. EDWARDS HONORS

A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. stock broker firm has earned the No. 1 ranking in a national brokerage survey.

SmartMoney Magazine used seven categories in conducting the annual survey of full-service brokerage firms.

A.G. Edwards received top honors in four of the seven categories -- stock research, mutual fund services, commissions and fees, and breadth of products -- to emerge in the overall No. 1 position.

A.G. Edwards also received recognition from Zacks Investment Research, Wilshire Associates and Carpenter Analytical Services, which found Edwards ranked No. 1 for the one-year results of its asset allocation strategy. Meanwhile, Edwards' Focus List of stock recommendation ranked No. 1 for its five-year results and No. 3 for its one-year results.

A.G. Edwards economists think the Dow is poised for a 9,300-level finish this year, and a 10,000-level mark by late spring.

A.G. Edwards, headquartered at St. Louis, has more than 620 offices nationwide, including Cape Girardeau.