NEW YORK, May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a reversal of trends, a new TNS survey shows a decrease in confidence among affluent investors. In its first decline in nearly a year, the TNS Investor Confidence Index declined to 113 in April (from a reading of 119 in Jan). Optimism over the direction of the economy and the stock market has eroded despite overall investor confidence remaining in positive territory.
According to Ellen Sills-Levy, SVP Investment Research at TNS, "In addition to the slower GDP growth in the first quarter, the past few months have seen a confluence of worrisome events: rising gas and crude oil prices, a near shutdown of the U.S. Government over fiscal policy, warnings that the U.S. debt ceiling will soon be reached, budget proposals that call for large cuts in spending, and both perceived and real inflation in everyday products. All these factors appear to be adversely impacting investor confidence."
Despite concerns about the economy and the financial markets, affluent investors remain cautiously upbeat about their personal incomes and the financial health of their employers.
An overwhelming majority believe they will meet their retirement goals, with nearly two-thirds being confident the economy will not jeopardize their financial aspirations. And, in what should be welcome news for investment services firms, 8 in 10 now agree that their financial providers work with their best interests in mind.
About the TNS Investor Confidence Index
The TNS Investor Confidence Index is a product of TNS' Affluent Market Research Program. The index is a composite measure of confidence based on investor expectations for the next six months. The most recent measure is based on a survey conducted online April 8 – 18, 2011. The statistics cited here reflect the answers of 1,551 respondents who had total investable assets of $500,000 or more. TNS' Affluent Market Research Program has been a leading source of market intelligence on the upscale investor and the savings/investment marketplace since 1981.
About TNS
TNS is the global leader in custom market research delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to clients around the globe so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 80 countries, TNS is dedicated to discovering growth opportunities for its clients in an ever-changing world. Through its pioneering and innovative culture, TNS understands the latest marketing challenges and research techniques, being the first to discover and solve new marketing issues for clients.
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TNS is part of Kantar, one of the world's largest insight, information and consultancy networks.
Please visit www.tns-us.com for more information.
About Kantar
Kantar is one of the world's largest insight, information and consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of its 13 specialist companies, the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and inspirational insights for the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 95 countries and across the whole spectrum of research and consultancy disciplines, enabling the group to offer clients business insights at each and every point of the consumer cycle. The group's services are employed by over half of the Fortune Top 500 companies.
For further information, please visit us at www.kantar.com.
SOURCE TNS
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