1. Investor Poll Methods: The Morgan Stanley Investor Pulse Poll was conducted by GfK Public Communications & Social Science using the GfK KnowledgePanel—the only large-scale representative panel of the adult population in the US, for which members are recruited using a probability-based address-based sampling methodology. In order to maintain full representation of all adults, households without Internet access are provided computers and ISP as well. From August 15 to September 7, 2017, a random sample of approximately one thousand (1,001) respondents across the US were interviewed. In order to qualify for this study, respondents were required to have $100,000 or more in household liquid investable assets, be between the ages of 25 and 75 years old, and to be one of the primary decision makers in the household for financial decisions. Quotas were applied in order to obtain approximately one-third in each of the following categories: $100,000 to $499,000; $500,000 to $999,000; and $1 million or more in investable assets. Results were then weighted to age within each of these three asset classes using benchmarks from the Federal Government’s Survey of Consumer Finances data.
Regional oversamples of approximately 300 adults were surveyed in each of two US regions, Chicago and San Francisco, using a blend of samples from the GfK KnowledgePanel and other online panels. Respondents from these regional samples required the same screening criteria as the national sample, except that respondents had to live in one of the metro areas. The regional oversamples were then weighted using the same targets from the Survey of Consumer Finances as used to weight the national study. Also, respondents from the non-probability online panel sources were calibrated further to correct for some of their known skewed attributes, such as hyper Internet usage, to better represent the target population of HNW investors in these regions.
Lastly, an oversample of approximately 200 adults ages 25-35 with $100,000 or more in investable assets was surveyed using a blend of samples from the GfK KnowledgePanel and other online panels. Respondents from this sample were weighted using benchmarks from the Federal Government’s Survey of Consumer Finances data.
ABOUT GfK: GfK is the trusted source of relevant market and consumer information that enables its clients to make smarter decisions. More than 13,000 market research experts combine their passion with GfK’s long-standing data science experience. This allows GfK to deliver vital global insights matched with local market intelligence from more than 100 countries. By using innovative technologies and data sciences, GfK turns big data into smart data, enabling its clients to improve their competitive edge and enrich consumers’ experiences and choices. For more information, please visit www.gfk.com or follow GfK on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GfK.
The Morgan Stanley Goals Planning System (GPS) is a brokerage investment analysis tool. While securities held in your investment advisory accounts may be included in the analysis, the reports generated from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management are not financial plans nor constitutes a financial planning service. A financial plan generally seeks to address a wide spectrum of your long-term financial needs, and can include recommendations about insurance, savings, tax and estate planning, and investments, taking into consideration your goals and situation, including anticipated retirement or other employee benefits. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) will only prepare a financial plan at your specific request using Morgan Stanley approved financial planning software. If you would like to have a financial plan prepared for you, please consult with a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.
To understand the differences between brokerage and advisory relationships, you should consult your Financial Advisor, or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at https://www.morganstanley.com/ourcommitment/
The Morgan Stanley Goals Planning System provides a snapshot of your current financial position and can help you to focus on your financial resources and goals, and to create a strategy designed to get you closer toward meeting your goals. Every individual’s financial circumstances, needs and risk tolerances are different. The hypothetical projections in the reports are based on the methodology, estimates, and assumptions, as described in the reports, as well as personal data provided by you. Because the hypothetical results are calculated over many years, small changes can create large differences in potential future results. The reports should be considered working documents that can assist you with your objectives. Morgan Stanley makes no guarantees as to future results or that an individual’s investment objectives will be achieved. The responsibility for implementing, monitoring and adjusting your investment plan rests with you. After your Financial Advisor delivers your report to you, if you so desire, your Financial Advisor can help you implement any part that you choose; however, you are not obligated to work with your Financial Advisor or Morgan Stanley.
Financial forecasts, rates of return, risk, inflation, and other assumptions may be used as the basis for illustrations generated by the Morgan Stanley Goals Planning System. They should not be considered a guarantee of future performance or a guarantee of achieving overall financial objectives. All results use simplifying estimates and assumptions. No tool has the ability to accurately predict the future, eliminate risk or guarantee investment results. As investment returns, inflation, taxes, and other economic conditions vary from the assumptions used by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, your actual results will vary (perhaps significantly) from those presented.
You should note that investing in financial instruments carries with it the possibility of losses and that a focus on above-market returns exposes the portfolio to above-average risk. Performance aspirations are not guaranteed and are subject to market conditions. High volatility investments may be subject to sudden and large falls in value, and there could be a large loss on realization which could be equal to the amount invested.
IMPORTANT: The projections or other information provided by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes (including any assumed rates of return and income) are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. Morgan Stanley does not represent or guarantee that the projected returns or income will or can be attained.
Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide any tax or legal advice. Consult your own tax or legal advisor before making any tax or legal-related investment decisions.
© 2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC
CRC#2882698 (01/2020)
