San Diego's A-List of Wealth Managers

Once again, I am very proud to announce that I have been chosen as a 'San Diego 2011 Five Star Wealth Manager' by San Diego Magazine. I love serving San Diego county, now including Borrego Springs! Thank you for everyone who voted for Stewart Financial Services. We work really hard to make your financial dreams a reality. 


From the article...


"With more than 11,000 wealth managers in the San Diego area, how do you find someone who listens to you, represents your interests and operates with an emphasis on integrity and service?


The resulting list of 2011 Five Star Wealth Managers is an elite group, representing less than 4 percent of the wealth managers in the San Diego area."


Thank you again San Diego! We continue to look forward to serving you in 2011! 

Tidbits from the TD Ameritrade Conference

Cheryl and l recently attended the annual TD Ameritrade National Conference in San Diego.  I can truly say that it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended.  While I will be sharing more specific information with clients one on one at meetings, here are some of the highlights:

 

General Colin Powell---He has unwavering faith and confidence in our nation and our people.  He sees great wealth created in certain countries over the next several years, countries like China, India and some of the Latin America countries.  This is good for the entire world because stability in the government and the economy is needed to create wealth.  We should not fear these emerging countries but rather embrace them.  The US is still the best place in the world to invest wealth.  Their success is our success.

Jeremy Siegel is a professor at the prestigious Wharton School of Finance in Pennsylvania.  Professor Siegel is still very bullish on stocks for the long run.  He showed charts that illustrate the real return (after taxes and inflation) of stocks from 1802-2010 is 6.7%.  The past 20 years from 1990-2010 (which includes the horrific recession of 2007-2008) shows the exact real return of stocks is 6.7%.  Cash and bonds cannot deliver this kind of return so it is prudent and imperative that in order to create wealth, an investor must be willing to invest in stocks.  He thinks the US market of good quality companies is poised to deliver strong returns over the next few years.  Price earning ratios are below the long term average and corporate earning are strong so therefore the price earning ratios will be rising.  He also showed charts that made a compelling argument to be investing in stable emerging markets such as China, India and some Latin America countries. 

Craig Alexander is Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for TD Ameritrade.  He said the US economy is on the mend.  We still have a long way to go but it is encouraging that we are on the road to recovery.  There are three key factors that will determine our recovery.  1.  Housing –currently we have approx 9 months supply of houses on the market versus 2005 when the supply was only 4 months.  We have too much product and there is more coming with short sales and foreclosures.  The housing market still has another 5% to decline in value before we hit bottom.  2.  Unemployment remains high at over 9% but he was optimistic that jobs are coming.  Companies have squeezed expenses all they can and are now experiencing growth due to increased demand for products and more access to credit.  This will result in slow job creation.  3)  State and local governments are struggling with reduced revenues and high liabilities to service.  Some states are worse than others like New Jersey, California etc… 

Bottom line is that Mr. Alexander also confirmed what Professor Siegel stated, the next few years will be good for equities.  Bonds will suffer and interest on cash will remain low but stocks will reward the wise investor.  

2010 Five Star Wealth Managers

A big thanks to San Diego Magazine and San Diego for honoring me and our practice this month. I am humbled and grateful for the honor of being one of San Diego Magazine's 2010 Five Star Wealth Managers.

From February's San Diego Magazine, the award, "represents less than 4 percent of the wealth managers in the San Diego area. Only 456 of the top-scoring wealth managers made this year's list."

Cheryl, Marcie, and myself work hard to provide the best customer service and financial planning to all our clients. I am excited to share this honor with them and all our clients whom we serve.