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AFFLUENT INVESTOR CONFIDENCE SHOWS STRONG MOMENTUM IN 2010

January 8th, 2010

TNS Investor Confidence Index Shows Significant Gains and Positive Outlook

New York, NY - January 8, 2010 - According to TNS' Investor Confidence Index, confidence among affluent investors (those with at least $500,000 in investable assets) has continued to increase over the last year. TNS' Investor Confidence Index rose to 112 in December 2009, compared to its most recent benchmarks of 107 and 101 in July and March of 2009. The index is still fairly low when compared against 2006 and 2007, but has shown steady improvement since October 2008.

The Investor Confidence Index is part of TNS' Affluent Market Research Program (AMRP) and was conducted online by TNS from December 3-15, 2009. Respondents had a total net worth, not including their personal residences, of $500,000 or more.



The index gauges respondents' outlook on multiple financial measures over a six-month period. Despite improvement in the last year, and from October 2009 in particular, it is clear that affluent respondents are still cautious about the overall US economic outlook.



In 2005, the confidence index was on par with the latest value (at 113), but in 2006, when the index was at its highest, the affluent market were considerably more positive about personal financial matters as well as other economic indicators. Using 2005 - 2006 as a benchmark, a significant rebound in confidence will only take place when optimism about long-term economic indicators, like employment and personal financial security improves.



"The current level of confidence continues to be mostly associated with overall performance of the markets." said Ellen Sills - Levy Senior Vice President, Investment Research Services, TNS, "with respondents seeing continued signs of economic growth and stability (with the 71% stating they feel the US economy will either hold steady or improve compared to 63% just a few months ago), there is a strong sense of optimism heading into 2010."

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About the TNS Affluent Market Research Program

The TNS Affluent Market Research Program (AMRP) delivers a comprehensive analysis of the affluent investor, exploring how they think about, shop for, and purchase investment services. The study covers the mass affluent market segment up through the pentamillionaire market and produces an in-depth analysis of the factors that shape affluent consumers' attitudes, behaviors and preferences.

The study also provides a strategic assessment of the investment services marketplace. It assesses the performance of more than 100 specific investment services providers in attracting, retaining, and expanding relationships with investment clients. This performance is then diagnosed by way of a comprehensive evaluation of the client experience, brand health, and marketing communications.

AMRP has been a reliable source of affluent market data since 1981, providing insights and measurement to the world's best-known financial services providers.


About TNS

TNS, who recently merged with Research International, is the world's largest custom research agency delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to its clients 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 75 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world's largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com for more information.

The Kantar Group

The Kantar Group is one of the world's largest research, insight and consultancy networks. By uniting the diverse talents of more than 20 specialist companies - including the recently-acquired TNS - the group aims to become the pre-eminent provider of compelling and actionable insights for the global business community. Its 26,500 employees work across 80 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. The Kantar Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP Group plc. For further information, please visit www.kantargrouptns.com