SEI Survey: Advisors Gaining Confidence in Romney Victory

Equities ^ | September 20, 2012

[2ndDivisionVet]

In a surprising shift, the majority of financial advisors (52 percent) now believe Mitt Romney will win the 2012 presidential election, according to an SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) Quick Poll released today. This is a significant change in sentiment from a similar poll conducted by SEI in May, where nearly 2 in 3 advisors (63 percent) believed President Barack Obama would win. The number of advisors who want Romney to win remained unchanged at 74 percent. The results point to a growing confidence in a Romney victory among financial advisors despite a slight bump in most national polls for Obama following the recent national conventions.

The poll indicates that economic concerns prevail among advisors, as 1 in 5 polled said they don't have confidence that either candidate will be able to avoid the fiscal cliff. The majority of advisors polled (56 percent) are more confident that Romney will avoid the fiscal cliff, while 12 percent are more confident that Obama will, and 11 percent believe they'll figure it out regardless of who wins. The majority (79 percent) believe Romney's policies will have a more positive effect on the economy.

The survey, completed by 130 financial advisors, shows that the overwhelming majority of advisors (86 percent) believe their political views are similar to their clients. There was a split on the importance of those views, as just under half of those polled (44 percent) believe their political views are important to clients when working with a financial advisor, while the majority (56 percent) believe they are not.

"Whether it's a renewed confidence coming out of the conventions or simply wishful thinking, advisors are starting to believe that Romney will win this election," said Steve Onofrio, Managing Director, SEI Advisor Network. "Recent events clearly demonstrate that public opinion can change quickly. But no matter what happens, the poll shows that most advisors believe that political views are not central to their client relationships. The most important thing for advisors is to keep doing what they do best -- serving their clients and making their business the top priority."

Not surprisingly when asked which candidate they thought would make a better financial advisor, the overwhelming majority of respondents (84 percent) said Romney. When asked whether they were better off as advisors today than they were four years ago, respondents were split down the middle, with 49 percent of respondents answering "no" and 51 percent saying "yes."

[2ndDivisionVet]

You'd think they would know better than most, as they have their ears to the ground and are hearing what their clients are saying. Most sheeple are just listening to the Ministry of Truth and think that Mr. Obama has it in the bag.

[Obadiah]

Quite frankly, I just think people are fed up with Obama’s crap. People know in their bones what’s wrong. Despite the corrupt MSM’s bleating and undying protective support for Obama, people get what’s going on.

People are keeping their yaps shut and not revealing their intent, but come election day they will strongly go to the polls and vote for Romney and against Obama.

Bank on it.

[Cindy of Nashville]

So glad to hear this. Been praying for it.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Thank God we have secret ballots. Of course, if he’s re-elected that’ll go the way of coal mining.

[a real Sheila]

I truly believe this is going to be a repeat of 1980 (with the exception of CA).

The Gallup polls in late Oct of 1980 showed Carter several points ahead of Reagan. Well, we all know how that turned out.

How can ANYONE with half a brain vote for that Marxist JERK for a second term? And Romney was right about the ones who are heavy on the govt dole. He will never get their vote unless he promised them even more freebies.

[a real Sheila]

I truly believe this is going to be a repeat of 1980 (with the exception of CA).

The Gallup polls in late Oct of 1980 showed Carter several points ahead of Reagan. Well, we all know how that turned out.

How can ANYONE with half a brain vote for that Marxist JERK for a second term? And Romney was right about the ones who are heavy on the govt dole. He will never get their vote unless he promised them even more freebies.

[TheRhinelander]

You bet it will be. Take a look at this.

http://www.unskewedpolls.com/

These numbers are based on this Rasmussen party affiliation poll.

http://datechguyblog.com/2012/09/17/demoralized-as-hell-the-poll-the-media-isnt-talking-about-edition/

[layman]

I think Romney missed a great opportunity buy not jumping on Obama’s “You didn't build that” statement. He should have countered with a businessman saying something like, “You're right, Mister President .... I couldn't have done it by myself .... I didn't have the capital to develop my idea ... but fortunately Bain Capital saw merit in my idea and provided the resources needed. I couldn't have done it without them.”

[spokeshave]

....and here are the most senior of the senior advisors (those white balding geezers for those in Rio Linda) giving Obambi the news.

[DesScorp]

These guys are rationalists. They see the economy and think "no one is going to re-elect this guy". But voters are not always rational (and are frequently irrational). That appears to be the case now. FDR won four elections even though his "cures" were more destructive to the country than the disease. But people loved him because they thought FDR loved them. Obama's supporters worship him like a god, and they're growing. All of the rational analysis in the world can't defeat cultish devotion.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks 2ndDivisionVet.

...the majority of financial advisors (52 percent) now believe Mitt Romney will win the 2012 presidential election, according to an SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) Quick Poll released today. This is a significant change in sentiment from a similar poll conducted by SEI in May, where nearly 2 in 3 advisors (63 percent) believed President Barack Obama would win.

Financial advisors don't like change, unless it's the kind they can put in their pockets. One thing can be stated as certain -- they aren't smarter than most people, even within their own specialty. Some are a notch up from H&R Block seasonal tax preparer help.