RJ and Makay

A recent nationwide survey issued by Citi, conducted by Hart Research Associates, revealed that there is a widening gap between men’s and women’s outlook for the economy. The survey found since March only 50 percent of men believe business conditions where they live will get somewhat (46 percent) or much (4 percent) better in the next 12 months compared to 56 percent of women who believe that business conditions will get somewhat (51 percent) or much (5 percent) better. In addition, men’s expectations for their own financial situation have declined while women’s expectations held steady.

Other survey findings include:

• Today 62 percent of men are somewhat (47 percent) or very (15 percent) optimistic that their own financial situation will get better over the next twelve months, down four points since March

• The percentage of women who are somewhat (47 percent) or very (19 percent) optimistic remains unchanged at 66 percent since March, the percentage of women who are very optimistic has risen to 19 percent, up four points since March

>> Read More RJ & Makay Blog Posts

Citi (C) issued the results of a new nationwide survey conducted by Hart Research Associates with some expected and not so expected findings. Overall, the findings show that Americans have a sober view of the economy and feel they are little or no better than a year ago. Read the press release here.

Here are some of the findings:
80% rated economy as poor or fair
52% rated financial conditions as about the same as a year ago
36% believe economy has hit bottom
59% believe we have a long way to go before we hit bottom
55% will spend the next year focusing mostly on reducing debt
66% are hopeful that their own situation will improve over the next year

More than two to one say they are worse off than better off than a year ago.

With Bank of America (BAC) buying Merrill Lynch (MER) and Wells Fargo (WFC) buying Wachovia/AG Edwards (WB) there are over 30,000 financial advisors in flux. When you include over 20,000 advisors from powerhouses like Morgan Stanley (MS) and UBS (UBS) whose fate is uncertain of late (both have talked with other suitors this year about merging or selling) the advisor count nearly doubles.