Dear Santa

We are really looking forward to catching up with you on Christmas.   Hasn’t the year gone by quickly?  I hope all is well with you and Mrs. Claus, and of course the little ones.   Your reindeer must be getting really excited about this coming Thursday’s great big trip.

Santa, have you noticed how share markets go up, then down, and then up again?  It makes some investors nervous when it goes down so how about we change it so it only goes up in a nice smooth trajectory.  That way even really conservative investors may be happy to buy shares that pay high dividends.

As financial planners we have a number of special requests for clients.   It would be great if you could bring them their Christmas wishes.   We’ve asked some what they want for Christmas and have received some interesting requests, so we hope you can help.   

Our client’s special requests include making sure that share markets around the world continue to rise.  They would also like their fixed interest investments to provide a great return and to make sure that there are no unexpected defaults.  For their property investments, they want their tenants to behave and promptly pay all rent, agree to rent increases and renew their leases. 

One interesting request that they had, was for the banks to pay them higher interest rates for money on deposit, and at the same time reduce the interest rates they charge for any loans.  Could you please provide us with insider knowledge if the banks agree to do this, as we will need to make sure that our clients do not own any bank shares.

Santa, we have a minor complaint.  It seems that you have still not provided compulsory lessons in ethics to investment company managers.  They still don’t seem to be very good when it comes to disclosure of conflicts of interest and related party transactions.  And they seem to be returning back to their old tricks of receiving very high bonuses.  Maybe you should no longer give them the lights and mirrors that they use to confuse investors.

Santa, as you know some people struggle at Christmas because they want their families to have fun and be happy.   Maybe you could arrange for them to have a little extra this year and wipe their credit card debt at the same time.   It really has been growing a lot this year, with petrol being so expensive.

What the world really needs Santa is Peace and Good Will amongst all people.  Maybe it should not just be children worshiping you as you do your great deeds amongst all peoples, even the non believers.  If you can bring peace and good will to all man kind, the world would be a much better place.  It would be the most brilliant Christmas present known to mankind.
 
Santa, you are an inspiration to people all over the world.   You are generous, create jobs for elves, and have a real affinity for animals, especially reindeer.   Your great work will really be appreciated by the millions of people around the world who have lost their jobs in the economic downturn over the past couple of years.   Have a great Christmas yourself and a well earned restful New Year.    If you ever need some investment advice give us a call or drop by, it’s on the house.    We all appreciate your efforts in dealing with these issues.
 
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

Steven & Susan