Data & Research December 6, 2011

Feeling “In Control” Leads to More Positive Savings Behaviors

A survey from Lincoln Financial Group finds that despite economic challenges, Americans remain positive about their futures. 
Reported by

Two-thirds of Americans report their lives are headed in the right direction, according to the Measuring Optimism, Outlook and Direction of America (MOOD) survey.  

The research finds that Americans who say they feel “in control” of their lives exhibit the following behaviors: 

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  • Valuing and cultivating their personal relationships, 
  • Volunteering in their communities and giving to charitable organizations, 
  • Taking quiet time to be alone and think, 
  • Exercising and spending time on a hobby, and  
  • Adhering to a budget and saving for retirement. 

Although nearly half of those in control of their lives (46%) say they do not have enough money to live on when they eventually retire, and a third (34%) reported an annual household income below $50,000, an overwhelming majority (84%) are very or somewhat optimistic about their financial futures.  

Americans in control have taken concrete steps to build financial security such as establishing a retirement account and owning other financial products, including life insurance. They are also more likely to stay within their budgets and save money from every paycheck regardless of the amount. Sixty-three percent of those in control of their lives regularly put money away for retirement, compared to 35% of those who say they are not in control.  

 (Cont...)

According to the study, those who feel “in control” have a mindset that is not primarily defined by income or employment status, but an optimism driven by an attitude of determination and personal empowerment. These Americans believe success in life is determined by forces within an individual's control, and that they can always find ways to solve problems.  

Americans in control are not driven by the desire to be wealthy, but consider financial freedom – having enough money to do what they want to do – to be four to five times more important than being wealthy.   

A strong majority (72%) of respondents are "very" or "somewhat" optimistic about their futures and 66% feel in control of their lives. These are individuals who say they feel at least "somewhat" in control of their personal lives, financial futures and health. However, Americans feel in greater control of their health (51%) than of their financial futures (27%).   

"Americans who feel in control of their destinies share a common mindset – one that is focused on positive, constructive behaviors every day," said Mark Konen, president of Insurance and Retirement Solutions for Lincoln Financial Group.    

The MOOD of America survey results are based on a telephone poll conducted by Whitman Insight Strategies on November 4-8, 2011, among 803 adults 18 years of age and older across the United States.   

The survey findings are available at http://www.LincolnFinancial.com/surveys.

Products December 6, 2011

Deutsche Bank and Invesco PowerShares Launch ETNs

Deutsche Bank and Invesco PowerShares Capital Management, LCC launched two exchange-traded notes (ETNs).   
Reported by

The ETNs will provide investors with exposure to U.S. inflation or deflation expectations. They will give investors the opportunity to take long or short exposure to changes in the market’s expectations of future inflation implied by the difference in yields between a notional long or short position in U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS), and offset the notional position in U.S. Treasury Bonds with approximately equivalent terms to maturity.

The ETNs will be listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, under the following symbols:

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•  PowerShares DB US Inflation ETN  (INFL), and

•  PowerShares DB US Deflation ETN  (DEFL)

The ETNs are senior unsecured obligations issued by Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch. The price of each ETN is based on a gain or loss of $0.10 per ETN for each 1 point increase or decrease in the level of the DBIQ Duration-Adjusted Inflation Index or the DBIQ Duration-Adjusted Deflation Index, as applicable, combined with the monthly returns of the DB 3-Month T-Bill Index, less an investor fee.

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