Wealthy Once Again Focusing on Preservation of Capital

High-net-worth investors are most concerned with preserving their wealth in an environment of volatile credit and stock markets, a weakening dollar and the uncertainties surrounding a presidential election, according to the latest “WealthTrends” survey from the Dow Jones Wealth Management Advisory Council.

“Heading into 2008, wealth managers will be advising their clients on how to mitigate exposure to volatile markets, while at the same time finding opportunities to grow their capital,” said George J. Schietinger, a director with Credit Suisse Private Banking USA and a member of the Dow Jones wealth council.

Members of the council said security has become one of their clients’ foremost concerns. “In the last few months, market turbulence put high-net-worth investors on the defensive,” said Patricia Bell, a wealth management adviser with Merrill Lynch.

Other members of the council are advising their clients not only to invest internationally, but to take a diversified approach to protect against regional market swings and currency fluctuations.

The main reason investors are concerned about the presidential election in the U.S. is the tax outcome, said Joseph W. Montgomery, managing director of investments at Wachovia Securities.