Instinet is looking for technology and healthcare independent research firms to join its independent research partnership network on the heels of signing H&M Consulting Group, a retail-focused research firm. The institutional brokerage partners with indies that focus on channel-checking and other primary sources of information (WSL, 7/23/04). John Pitt, Instinet's director of research, said he is looking for firms that focus on technology and healthcare sectors because of growth in these areas. "These are very large and very active sectors and we would like to find high-quality researchers to fill in the gap in coverage," Pitt said. Besides H&M, Instinet partners with Ross Smith Energy Group, which covers oil and gas sectors, and Cross Industrial Research, which focuses on the industrial sector. Instinet may also add sales people to its group of seven once it signs on more indie partners, Pitt said.