2009-11-11 16:37:06 -

Bruce Bittles : , Chief Investment Strategist for Baird : , and Rod Smyth, Chief Investment Strategist and Founding Partner for Riverfront Investment Group : , offered their 2010 outlook as part of a Baird Market and Economic Outlook event held Thursday. The two experts discussed a generational shift toward saving and investing, the key

markers of a recovery, and the continued impact of government legislation and policy on markets. Click here : to read the full news release.

For a video featuring additional insights from Bruce Bittles on the state of the economy and financial markets, click here : .


Shift toward saving essential to recovery

Unquestionably, the past 18 months have been one of the most dramatic periods in the history of the U.S. economy and financial markets. The good news, according to Bittles, is that it appears the economy has survived, and there are signs of economic improvement.

“Fundamentally, we’re experiencing a generational shift from borrowing and spending toward a renewed focus on saving and investing, and a movement away from risk,” Bittles said. “It’s encouraging that consumers are beginning to pay down some of their debt. This increase in savings and investing will lay the foundation for a new secular bull market.”


Smyth added, “It is the paradox of thrift. While it is undoubtedly right for individuals to save in this environment – and there will not be sustainable growth without it – if everyone saves, no one spends.

Policymakers are facing a difficult choice.”


To speak with Bruce Bittles or Rod Smyth, contact Baird Public Relations at publicrelations@rwbaird.com : mailto:publicrelations@rwbaird.com or (414) 765-7250. For the full comments, click here : .

About Baird


Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, capital markets, private equity and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has more than 2,400 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird oversees and manages client assets of more than $66 billion. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked number 14 on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2009 – its sixth consecutive year on the list. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s Web site at www.rwbaird.com : .



Baird Public RelationsAmy Nutter(414) 765-7250 publicrelations@rwbaird.com : mailto:publicrelations@rwbaird.com