InvestmentNews Announces the Results of Its 2008 Investment Outlook Poll

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- InvestmentNews announced today results from its 2008 Investment Outlook Poll, an analysis of financial advisers' outlook on the economy and the financial markets. The poll revealed a fairly optimistic outlook particularly for the stock market; however, the outlook for the overall economy wasn't nearly as upbeat, as less than 17 percent of the advisers said they were more optimistic about 2008 than they were about 2007 at the same time last year.

In a rather positive forecast, more than two thirds -- 76 percent -- of advisers surveyed said they didn't expect the U.S. economy to go into recession in 2008. Similarly, when asked about the stock market performance, advisers said that they expected the U.S. equity markets to gain about 7 percent in 2008 -- a pretty lofty estimate given the uncertainty surrounding the economy and the financial markets. Moreover, more than 64 percent of advisers said they expect the credit markets to improve this year. However, when asked about the housing market, advisers didn't seem as optimistic with 78 percent expecting it to get worse or remain the same in 2008.

"Advisers are bracing for a turbulent market that could test the risk tolerance levels of consumers who have been programmed to think long-term," says Jeff Benjamin, Senior Editor for InvestmentNews. "It will be a challenging year for advisers, particularly as consumers become more acutely aware of some of the major threats to the financial markets and the broader economy."

Issues complicating the outlook for advisers include a declining U.S. dollar, the subprime mortgage meltdown and the unfolding credit crisis, which could impact consumers in a variety of forms.

In polling surrounding the 2008 Presidential election and whether it is likely to have an impact on investment strategies, a thin majority -- 53 percent -- of advisers said they did not expect the election to have an impact on their investment strategies while 47 percent said otherwise. Furthermore, the majority of advisers, 62 percent, said that they would most likely vote for the Republican Party.

The Investment Outlook Poll was conducted December 10 through 14 and surveyed 1,277 financial advisers. Poll will supplement the Investment Outlook Special Report, slated to appear in the January 7 issue of InvestmentNews, which will include in-depth 2008 outlook stories on retirement, regulation and legislation, broker-dealers, alternative investments, insurance, mutual funds, wealth management and technology.

About InvestmentNews

Since 1998, InvestmentNews has been delivering news and analysis essential to the business of financial advisers. The weekly newspaper, which combines comprehensive news with accurate, independent reporting on the entire financial services industry, provides financial advisers with insight into the market unavailable in any other publication.

In addition to news, InvestmentNews organizes a number of webcasts and conferences throughout the year, bringing together readers with key industry experts. The InvestmentNews' main office is located in New York, with offices in Boston, Irvine, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, DC.