J. Stephen Castellano founded Ascendere Associates LLC to provide innovative equity research and investment advisory services that blends fundamental and quantitative approaches.

In general, our approach is quite simple -- we believe that return on invested capital and long-term earnings growth are key to stock valuation.  More specifically, we use powerful and unique financial models that combine publicly available data, consensus estimates and our own inputs to generate consistent and actionable stock recommendations. 

Among the services that Ascendere provides are: 1) detailed custom equity research analysis; 2) valuation scenario analysis studies; 3) long/short model portfolio strategies; 4) long and short idea generation; 5) portfolio feedback; 6) detailed fundamental financial modeling services; and 7) additional analytical consulting services. Recent financial modeling consulting clients have included several notable startups as well as BCG Platinion, the risk management division of Boston Consulting Group.  

Mr. Castellano has over 20 years of experience in equity research and related consulting work.  At PaineWebber, Warburg Dillon Read and Credit Lyonnais Securities he developed fundamental equity valuation models and conducted in-depth research on the steel and telecom services industries.  At Boston Private Value Investors, he developed quantitative models for stock idea generation and also provided general fundamental equity research coverage. Steve received a MBA from the F. W. Olin School of Business at Babson College (2005) and a BA from Oberlin College (1993). 

Mr. Castellano's career history is highlighted below:

• Ascendere Associates, LLC (2009-Present)
• Boston Private Value Investors , Equity Research, Equity Research Analyst (2005-2009)
• Pyramid Research, Contract Consultant, Telecom Services (2002-2003)
• Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA), Equity Research, Telecom Services, Vice President (2000-2001)
• Warburg Dillon Read, Equity Research, Telecom Services, Research Associate (1999-2000)
• PaineWebber, Equity Research, Steel and Nonferrous Metals, Research Associate, Editor (1995-1999)