Quarterdeck Investment Partners, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Investment banking, Financial services |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Jon B. Kutler |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Fate | Acquired by Jefferies Group |
| Successor | Jefferies Quarterdeck |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
Area served | Global aerospace and defense markets |
Key people | Jon B. Kutler (Founder, Chairman until 2006), Michael Richter (Co-Head of Jefferies Quarterdeck), William Farmer (Co-Head of Jefferies Quarterdeck) |
| Products | Advisory services for mergers and acquisitions in aerospace and defense |
Quarterdeck Investment Partners, Inc. was a specialized American boutique investment bank headquartered in Los Angeles, California, focusing on advisory roles within the global aerospace and defense markets. In 2002, it was acquired by the US financial entity Jefferies Group, after which it operated under the name Jefferies Quarterdeck.
Established in 1992 by Jon B. Kutler, a former U.S. Naval officer with extensive experience as a Wall Street investment banker, Quarterdeck was among the first to introduce the concept of boutique investment banks dedicated to specific industries.
History
The company grew to encompass four offices and achieved a top-tier ranking in international league tables for aerospace and defense mergers and acquisitions. Its clientele featured prominent prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, BAE Systems, and Northrop Grumman, alongside mid-sized consolidators including L-3 Communications.
In March 2001, Kutler divested a minority interest in the subsidiaries Quarterdeck Investment Partners, LLC and LTD to the publicly traded NYSE company Jefferies Group Inc.. This transaction resulted in the formation of Jefferies Quarterdeck LLC, which aimed to capitalize on capital market prospects within aerospace and defense sectors. By December 2002, Jefferies completed the purchase of all remaining shares, with Kutler retaining his role as Chairman of Jefferies Quarterdeck.
Quarterdeck earned recognition as the first recipient of the Boutique Middle-Market Merger & Acquisition Firm of the Year award from Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor in 2002.
In March 2006, Kutler stepped down to concentrate on Quarterdeck’s principal investment branch, subsequently renamed Admiralty Partners, Inc., with Michael Richter and William Farmer appointed as Co-Heads of Jefferies Quarterdeck.