High Net Worth Investors' Greatest Concerns Are Loss of Principal and Comfortable...

High Net Worth Investors' Greatest Concerns Are Loss of Principal and
Comfortable Retirement
According to a Survey by Rochdale Investment Management

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Rochdale Investment Management announced
today the findings of its 2007 Private Client Survey. The survey provides key
insights on investors with $1 to $10 million portfolios and illustrates the
importance of risk management for high net worth investors.
Wealth Preservation Remains Top Concern
Loss of principal, comfortable retirement, and market volatility topped
the list of concerns and reasons for seeking professional money management.
Other concerns cited were beating the market and taxes. These priorities have
remained consistent over market cycles. Rochdale's 2003 survey, which was
conducted on the heels of a down market, noted similar results, while the 2007
survey was conducted during a time when the market was experiencing record
highs. Among investors who stated that their needs have changed, they reported
being more concerned about volatility (17%) and risk (13%).
High net worth investors tend to be retired or nearing retirement, so they
are entering a phase in their lives where they will be living off of the
income from their portfolios. Preserving wealth is understandably of great
importance.
"Retirement can be a difficult time emotionally for people as they switch
from being in control of working for their income as opposed to living off of
their portfolios," stated Rochdale's Ted Cox, CFA, Senior Vice President,
Investment Consulting. "Investors find it challenging to maintain a steady
stream of income by relying on equity and fixed income assets that can
fluctuate in value," he added.
Communication is Key in Working with High Net Worth Clients
In assessing the survey results, Rochdale discovered that its focus on
risk management and investor education paid off. A remarkable 94% of clients
reported that Rochdale appropriately balances their risk/return expectations.
90% reported that the quality of communications meets or exceeds their
expectations, while 84% reported feeling treated like an individual, and 81%
said they were willing to recommend Rochdale to others.
"We are very pleased with results, but we continue to find innovative ways
to more effectively manage risk and protect client portfolios," commented
Rochdale's Chief Executive Officer and President, Garrett D'Alessandro, CFA,
AIF(R). To this end, currently 45% of respondents utilize Rochdale's high
dividend and income strategy, 14% utilize Rochdale's alternative investments,
and 4% use Rochdale's offshore asset protection services.
In terms of their favorite sources for market and investment information,
41% of respondents cited their financial advisor and Rochdale portfolio
manager team, which won out over financial media publications, television, or
the internet. Key topics of interest include investment education (38%),
market and economic commentary (34%), and company & industry news (23%).
In order to understand a bit more about its clients as individuals,
Rochdale also asked what they do for enjoyment. Spending time with family
(14.2%) and reading (13.7%) were the most common responses. Interestingly,
only 3.1% expressed that they enjoy the stock market.
Surveys were completed between February 12, 2007, and May 31, 2007, by 253
private clients. More than 800 clients, representing $1.3 billion in assets,
were invited to participate. As a token of its appreciation, Rochdale
contributed $5 for every returned survey to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation, the charity most favored by survey participants. For more
information about the foundation and its mission, please visit their web site
at www.komen.org.
Rochdale Investment Management is a private investment counseling firm
specializing in intelligently personalized portfolio management for high net
worth individuals and families. Based in New York City with offices
nationwide, Rochdale manages $2.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2007.
Working in concert with each client's financial advisor or CPA, Rochdale
develops and manages a customized portfolio for each client. Investment
strategies are implemented through proprietary separate accounts and funds.
The firm's hallmark is providing integrity, intelligence and innovation in
investment management. For more information on the 2007 Private Client Survey
or Rochdale Investment Management, please call 800-245-9888 or visit
www.rochdale.com.
SOURCE Rochdale Investment Management

Christine Elbert, Senior Vice President - Marketing Strategy, +1-212-702-3512,
cje@rochdale.com