Leading Economist Gives Financial Forecast at Exclusive CT Event

As recent Wall Street record lows cast a shadow on the bull market, Connecticut investors can get the “real news” about the financial outlook for the New Year from one of the most respected economists. Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist of First Trust, will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Annual Forecast Dinner hosted by CFA Society Hartford, the local chapter of the CFA®Institute, on January 22nd from 5:00- 9:00pm at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. The group’s premier networking event of the year will bring together the area’s leading investment and financial professionals, as well as key decision makers in other local organizations.

“For the past nine years, analysts have predicted apocalypse for the U.S. economy around every corner, but the strong market and economic recovery are both the longest ever,” explained Juliana Dalton, CFA, president of CFA® Society Hartford. “The question is could tariffs, Federal Reserve tightening and massive budget deficits finally end the record bull run? This is truly an incredible opportunity to hear Mr. Wesbury share his unique take on all of these issues, plus more.”

The CFA Institute is a global non-profit organization of investment professionals that distinguish themselves through their commitment to their clients and achievement of the highest distinction in the investment management profession: the CFA® designation.

More than 400 professionals, CFA®members, personal investors, and college students will start the evening with a Networking/Social Hour from 5:00-6:15pm. A full dinner will follow immediately afterwards with an official welcome from Juliana Dalton. CT Secretary of State Denise Merrill will provide opening remarks and offer her comments on the future of voting security with “Election Cybersecurity: A Wake Up Call”. The CFA® Society Hartford Past-President Ray Bovich will introduce the highly-anticipated keynote speaker as he shares “The Real News About the US Economy”.

Brian Wesbury is Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors L.P., a financial services firm based in Wheaton, Illinois. Mr. Wesbury has been a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since 1999. In 2012, he was named a Fellow of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, TX where he works closely with its 4%-Growth Project. His writing appears in various magazines, newspapers and blogs, and he appears regularly on Fox, Bloomberg, CNBC and BNN Canada TV. In 1995 and 1996, he served as Chief Economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. The Wall Street Journal ranked Mr. Wesbury the nation’s #1 U.S. economic forecaster in 2001, and USA Today ranked him as one of the nation’s top 10 forecasters in 2004. Mr. Wesbury began his career in 1982 at the Harris Bank in Chicago. McGraw-Hill published his first book, The New Era of Wealth, in October 1999. His most recent book, It’s Not As Bad As You Think, was published in November 2009 by John Wiley & Sons.

Space is limited, so register today at www.hartfordcfa.org. Purchase discounted tickets before January 7th: individual seats are $90 for CFA® Society Hartford members and $135 for non-members. After January 7th, tickets are $110 and $145 respectively. A table of 10 is $1,100, increasing to $1,300 after January 7th.

Sponsorship opportunities provide firm exposure at the Annual Forecast Dinner and on the Society website as well as networking opportunities to engage CFA®Society members and guests throughout the year at periodic luncheons and conferences hosted by the Society. Sponsorship levels start at $1,000 for nonprofit sponsorships and continue to a Diamond Sponsorship at $10,000. Gold Sponsors for 2019 are: Hartford Investment Management Company (HIMCO), Virtus Investment Partners, Voya Investment Management, and INVESCO.

Attendees can also lean how the rigorous CFA® Program provides a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills that will give them a career advantage. There will be enrollment information to begin earning the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation, the most respected and recognized investment management designation in the world. Successful candidates take an average of four years to complete the program, which includes passing three exams sequentially and accumulating 48 months of approved work experience. Each exam level generally requires six months of preparation.

“We strive to help advisers understand and anticipate stock market and economic changes to be able to provide the best guidance for their clients,” said Dalton.

CFA® Society Hartford is one of the leading associations of local investment professionals in Connecticut, steeped in rich history spanning over 60 years. The non-profit organization has been serving Connecticut since 1953. The Hartford chapter is one of 151 local member societies of the CFA® Institute, a worldwide organization of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community. There are more than 150,000 CFA® charterholders worldwide in 165+ countries and regions. For more information about the Hartford chapter, visit www.hartfordcfa.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFAInstitute and on Facebook.com/CFAInstitute.