DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alerian introduced today the Energy MLP Classification Standard (EMCS(SM)), the first framework designed to standardize the sector classifications of Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).

"Our conversations with the MLP stakeholder community indicated a high market need for a rules-based taxonomy of the MLP universe," said President and CEO Kenny Feng. "The EMCS structure was created following deliberate discussions internally and with industry experts, and will enable institutional and retail investors to better assess sector exposure in their MLP portfolio versus peers and benchmarks."

EMCS categorizes MLPs by their primary business activity, including the following:


    --  Pipeline Transportation
    --  Gathering & Processing
    --  Storage
    --  Production & Mining
    --  Marketing
    --  Marine Transportation
    --  Services
    --  Catalytic Conversion
    --  Mineral Interest
    --  Refining
    --  Regasification

An additional delineation by product or customer is made for certain activities to account for structural differences in business risk along such lines.

Activity descriptions and each company's sector classification are available at alerian.com. Sector classifications can be incorporated into index data feeds from major data distributors upon request.

About Alerian
 Alerian equips investors to make informed decisions about Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and energy infrastructure. Its benchmarks, including the flagship Alerian MLP Index (AMZ), are widely used by industry executives, investment professionals, research analysts, and national media to analyze relative performance. Over $14 billion is directly tied to the Alerian Index Series through exchange-traded funds and notes, separately managed accounts, and structured products. For more information, including index values and constituents, research content, and announcements regarding rebalancings, please visit alerian.com.

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SOURCE Alerian