UBS Wealth Management Americas Investor Pulse Survey Reveals Significant Differences between Northern and Southern Californians on Local Economy, Taxes

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

UBS Wealth Management Americas (WMA) today released a survey showing significant differences in outlook between northern and southern California investors. The poll also reveals that, taken together, most California investors have a pessimistic short-term economic outlook, but a more favorable long-term view. Underlining the divergent outlook between southern and northern Californians, the survey shows southern Californians are more worried than their northern counterparts about the state's economic issues and believe California's economic prospects are weaker than the nation's.

The findings were unveiled in conjunction with an exclusive event hosted by WMA Chief Executive Officer Robert J. McCann in Beverly Hills this morning. The event was part of the firm's ongoing Revitalizing America initiative, which aims to forge common ground and discuss nonpartisan ways to revitalize the US economy and which previously has included presidential discussions with Presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush. The Beverly Hills event featured a conversation on the nation's economic recovery between President Clinton and McCann. The session addressed future drivers of US and California competitiveness by focusing on issues including infrastructure, small business, fiscal reform, innovation, unemployment and job creation. Opening remarks for the event were delivered by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.

Commenting on the event, McCann said: “We have polled our clients about their concerns throughout the year, and it is clear Californians – like Americans everywhere – are worried about the economy and the future of our country. These apprehensions and WMA's commitment to addressing them inspired us to initiate ongoing conversations with our clients about what it will take to revitalize America. I am honored that President Clinton and Mayor Villaraigosa agreed to share their unparalleled insights into these important issues with our California audience.”

As part of its commitment to inform and participate actively in the public debate on revitalizing the national economy, WMA used the occasion of its Beverly Hills event to publish two pieces of proprietary UBS research: a client/investor sentiment survey focused on California; and a Wealth Management Research (WMR) report on US infrastructure investment.

The WMA Investor Pulse Survey was conducted online by Research Now among 2,038 affluent and high net worth US investors from September 29-October 5, 2011. Conducted with 1,010 respondents from across California, the survey indicates the impact of California's economic issues on investor sentiment. The survey shows Californians are in general consensus on how to improve US competitiveness, with most pointing to education, increasing investment in innovation and reducing government spending as key solutions. However, southern Californians are less likely than northern Californians to support raising taxes on the wealthy, whether through the so-called “Buffett Rule” or allowing the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to expire.

WMR's Chief Investment Strategist, Mike Ryan, and Head of Municipal Research, Tom McLoughlin, authored WMA's report Infrastructure Investment and Economic Growth. The report addresses the current state of US infrastructure and offers practical policy solutions to bolster the nation's infrastructure moving forward, including promoting private investments and integrating new technologies to create synergies within the national system.

About UBS Wealth Management Americas

UBS Wealth Management Americas provides advice-based relationships through financial advisors who deliver a fully integrated set of products and services specifically designed to address the needs of ultra high net worth, high net worth and core affluent individuals and families. It includes the Wealth Management US business, the domestic Canadian business and the international business booked in the United States.

About UBS Wealth Management Americas Revitalizing America Initiative

Launched in response to investors' deep concerns about America's long-term economic growth, UBS Wealth Management Americas Revitalizing America Initiative comprises a series of speaking engagements and programs that UBS will host over the course of the year, aimed at forging common ground and discussing how, together, we can revitalize the U.S. economy. In support of the initiative, UBS WMA has published “Revitalizing America: Forging a New Path toward Economic Prosperity,” a report on the challenges facing the nation's economy. Additional information available at: http://financialservicesinc.ubs.com/revitalizingamerica/

About UBS

UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. The firm combines its wealth management, investment banking and asset management businesses with its Swiss operations to deliver superior financial solutions.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50031574&lang=en