Fisher Investments Research Alert on Elections

    WOODSIDE, CA, September 01, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Fisher Investments released a new research alert on next year's presidential election entitled, Looking Ahead to the 2012 Election. The alert provides non-ideological political commentary, with the goal of discussing the main factors influencing the election, and how the outcome may impact investors.

The piece also analyzes historical equity market returns during election years, and demonstrates how third and fourth years of presidential terms have typically been overwhelmingly positive for stocks. Further discussed is the possible election outcome, including how the success of each political party has historically affected stocks in an election year, and the potential power shifts that could take place in the Senate. The alert also provides commentary on Obama's current approval rating and whether or not investors should be paying attention to it as a reliable indicator of his chances for reelection.

In its discussion of the likelihood of a party change in the White House, the research alert explains, "Regardless of ideological bent, there's something to like and something to hate in 2012. The Senate race favors Republicans, but incumbent President Obama will be hard to beat, as any incumbent president is. During the history of the S&P 500, 14 incumbents have tried for reelection and only three failed--Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush. Gerald Ford was a weak candidate--the only major race he previously won on his own was for the House. Jimmy Carter was running against the misery index and a very strong candidate in Ronald Reagan--among the best Republican campaigners ever. Similarly, George H.W. Bush oversaw the start of a recession (and the end of it, but he was ridiculed for saying the economy was improving when in fact it was) and was running against one of the Democratic Party's best ever campaigners, Bill Clinton."

The full commentary, which comprehensively explores the previewed topics and more, can be found here: http://fisherinvestments.bo.lt/elections.

About Fisher Investments

Founded in 1979, Fisher Investments is an independent, privately-owned money management firm with more than $44 billion (as of 6/30/11) under management. Fisher Investments maintains two principal business units, Fisher Investments Institutional Group and Fisher Investments Private Client Group, which serve a global client base of diverse investors. Fisher Investments' clients include over 100 large institutions and over 25,000 high net worth individuals. Founder and CEO Ken Fisher has written the Forbes "Portfolio Strategy" column for 26 years, has written 7 books on investing and personal finance (4 of which are bestsellers), and was recently named by Investment Advisor magazine as one of the 30 most influential industry individuals in the last 30 years (Thirty for Thirty, May 2010). For more information visit http://www.fisherinvestments.com/.

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