Donald Trump Strikes Out with the Affluent; Bill Gates Rated Highest in New Survey

    /24-7PressRelease/ - MIAMI, FL, June 02, 2006 -- In a recently completed survey among the wealthiest 10% of U.S. households, Donald Trump was the only one to receive negative ratings among a group that consisted of Bill Gates, Alan Greenspan, and Warren Buffett.

The respondents to this survey, The Affluent Market Tracking Study #9, the latest in a twice-yearly series of surveys by The American Affluence Research Center, were asked to give their overall opinion of these four business personalities (as well as various charitable organizations and groups of businesses). They could give a favorable, neutral, or negative rating.

The ratings were indexed, with 200 being the maximum (a favorable rating from all respondents) and 0 being the lowest (a negative rating from all respondents). An index of 100 is a neutral rating.

Donald Trump's overall index was 49, as compared to 158 for Bill Gates, 144 for Alan Greenspan, and 140 for Warren Buffett. While 60% of the sample rated Mr. Trump negatively, none of the other gentlemen received a negative rating from more than 11% of the sample. Their total index ratings tended to be held down by neutral ratings (especially for Mr. Buffett) which may have indicated a lack of familiarity, particularly among the women.

Mr. Trump did best among women (an index of 61 versus 39 among men). His index was lower among the more mature and wealthier respondents.

The 474 participants in this national random survey have an average income of $339, 400 and an average $2.7 million net worth. Their average age is 52. They are representative of the 11.2 million households that earn nearly 40% of the total income of all Americans, own 65% of the personal assets of all U.S. households, and hold 85% of the value of all publicly traded stocks and mutual funds in the U.S.

These surveys track how the affluent assess current business conditions and their 12-month outlook for the economy, the stock market, personal household income, and their spending plans for a number of different products and services. Highlights of the survey report can be found on the AARC website, www.affluenceresearch.org.

The complete 28-page report containing 25 tables may be ordered at [email protected]. Contact Ron Kurtz at 305-933-4887 for press copies.

About The American Affluence Research Center

AARC provides marketing research and consulting services that focus on the lifestyles, attitudes, and purchasing behavior of the most affluent U.S. households.

# # #