Democrat in White House is New Year's Single Greatest Economic Worry, Financial Advisors Say

[GaryC 7]

BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brinker Capital, a leading investment management firm, today released results of the fourth quarter’s Brinker Barometer, a gauge of financial advisor confidence and sentiment regarding the economy, retirement savings, investing and market performance.

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“With the close of 2007, advisors anticipate 2008 to be an eventful year, given the Presidential elections and the government’s efforts to mitigate economic uncertainty,” noted John Coyne, President of Brinker Capital. “Despite recent market volatility and executive turnover at some of the country’s largest financial institutions, our confidence index continues to indicate a positive economic outlook held by advisors. While predictions are largely bullish, advisors may alter their sentiment based on the results of the 2008 White House race.”

Democrat Win in ’08 Keeps Advisors Up at Night

Asked what their single greatest economic worry is for 2008, 22% of advisors indicated “Democrat in the White House,” well ahead of all other economic concerns, including “Global Unrest” (15%), and “U.S. Economic Growth” (15%). Further down the worry hierarchy, 13% each selected “Terrorist Attack” and “Recession,” while single digit selections included “Value of the Dollar” (6%), “Iraq War” (5%), “Republican in White House” (3%), “Inflation” (3%) and “No Major Worry” (4%).

When queried about their greatest tax concern in a Democratic administration, 81% of advisors cited an increase in capital gains, an ordinary income tax increase and an elimination of preferential treatment of dividends.

2007 Report Card Gives “F” to Congress, “Cs” to Bush, Bernanke

When asked to assign a grade to a selection of newsmakers based on their 2007 performance, President Bush and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke received average marks (“C”) for their performance from 53% and 57% of advisors, respectively. Thirty-three percent of advisors gave President Bush a failing grade. Congress, however, received an “F” from 70% of advisors, closely followed by Americans retirement savings efforts, which was graded an “F” by 62% of respondents. With Berwyn, PA-based Brinker home to many Philadelphia Eagles fans, the Barometer was surprised to note that the controversial New England Patriots received an “A” grade from 82% of respondents, and the remainder split at nine percent each awarding average and failing grades.

Confident Outlook Holds Firm into New Year

Despite the year’s events, advisors have maintained their confidence levels in the country’s economic prospects, with 74% of respondents noting they are “very” or “somewhat” confident in the country’s economic outlook, comparing identically to respondents’ sentiments in Q1 of this year. This compares to 17% with “little” or “no” confidence in the economy in Q4, slightly lower than Q1’s 18%. The confidence index rose slightly with regard to market performance, from 69% of respondents feeling “very” or “somewhat” confident about the markets in Q4, up from 64% in the first quarter. 16% of respondents had “little” or “no” confidence in market performance in Q4, compared to 17% in Q1.

Sovereigns on Wall Street Leave Advisors Wary

The recent increase in investments from governments in Abu Dhabi, China, Singapore and others in US corporations has unnerved many advisors, with 79% of respondents describing themselves as “very” or “somewhat” concerned.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/080102/20080102005531.html?.v=1

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Obviously.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

....and Bin Laden is endorsing Hillary.

[GaryC 7]

....and Bin Laden is endorsing Hillary.

What does that have to do with this? This was a poll of financial advisers. It is what it is. The economic world does not like higher taxes and government regulation. Like it or not the dems have that reputation.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

The Dow is down something like 2000 points in the past 3 months and went spirally down yesterday when Bush announced his "stimulus" package. Foreclosures are at a 15 year year high. I don't think your buddy GWB is keeping us worry-free on the economy.

[kaydee457 13]

The Dow is down something like 2000 points in the past 3 months and went spirally down yesterday when Bush announced his "stimulus" package. Foreclosures are at a 15 year year high. I don't think your buddy GWB is keeping us worry-free on the economy.

Given we've been living the "high life" for the past eight years it's clearly not Bush, nor the Replublican's economic policies that have driven the markets into the abyss.....it's the unfortunate trend that's disturbing to capitalists......dem's are socialist that purport to know what's best for the rest of us, damn IT!

Worry about a return to Democratic rule in the White House is scary enough, but both the Senate and Congress as well as HillBilly, or worse yet Obama have clearly driven the markets down, down, down......

Just a fact of life....Tax, spend, control, regulate, nanny, nanny, nanny, because they know what's best for you and I......and by golly the "rich" are going to pay for it...

Problem is, me, and many of my friends are defined as the "rich"...You know, those of us that have earned our way.

Welcome to the (Robin Hood) democratic party!!!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The Dow is down something like 2000 points in the past 3 months and went spirally down yesterday when Bush announced his "stimulus" package. Foreclosures are at a 15 year year high. I don't think your buddy GWB is keeping us worry-free on the economy.

Given we've been living the "high life" for the past eight years it's clearly not Bush, nor the Replublican's economic policies that have driven the markets into the abyss.....it's the unfortunate trend that's disturbing to capitalists......dem's are socialist that purport to know what's best for the rest of us, damn IT!

Worry about a return to Democratic rule in the White House is scary enough, but both the Senate and Congress as well as HillBilly, or worse yet Obama have clearly driven the markets down, down, down......

Just a fact of life....Tax, spend, control, regulate, nanny, nanny, nanny, because they know what's best for you and I......and by golly the "rich" are going to pay for it...

Problem is, me, and many of my friends are defined as the "rich"...You know, those of us that have earned our way.

Welcome to the (Robin Hood) democratic party!!!!!

Meaning of course that those of us who are not "rich" do not earn our way. I'll have to mention that to my wife before she starts her next 14 hour work day.