Financial Planning Magazine Offers Tips to KeepClients Focused in October Issue; Also Examines...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1998---As investors worry about their portfolios in today's unpredictable stock market, Financial Planning magazine, a publication of Securities Data Publishing, dedicates its October cover story to financial planning strategies that aim to keep investors focused

In "How to Keep Clients Focused," Mr. Evensky explains how over the past few years investors' expectations have come to match the rising performance of the bullish stock market. Now, as the market has declined and entered a period of volatility and his clients worry about their investments, he is focusing on modifying overly optimistic expectations and relieving investors of their short-term anxieties. Using proactive communication techniques, or what he calls a "Good News-Don't Worry" strategy, Mr. Evensky contacts his clients regularly, often through written correspondence, to explain what is happening in the stock market and to keep them focused on their long-term goals. Mr. Evensky has written dozens of these letters over the years and has included several sample letters in this month's story.

"During times of significant market corrections, we radically ratchet up our client contacts," says Mr. Evensky. "Our goal is to reach our clients before their level of concern compels them to call us."

Also in the October issue, Financial Planning examines retirement issues in a special report on retirement planning. The four-article package includes practical advice from Michael Ball, portfolio manager and chairman for Mutual Asset Management, on extending the life of retirement savings and allowing for higher withdrawal rates; contributing writer Donald Jay Korn on planning for early retirement; and Financial Planning's Diane Picard on how to adopt creative solutions to lift retirees' income.

"While each individual has different investing goals, in the long run, most have the same aim -- to achieve financial independence and have enough money to live comfortably when they retire," says Evan Simonoff, editor in chief of Financial Planning magazine. "With so many factors to consider, Financial Planning has put together a special report in its October issue to give financial advisers insight into some of the toughest retirement issues they face."

Lastly, Financial Planning's monthly survey for October focuses on Variable Life and Annuity contracts. In addition to giving performance numbers for more than 150 variable annuity, variable life and variable universal life contracts, the survey also lists subaccounts, policy assets, account objectives, managers, and return rates.

The October issue of Financial Planning is scheduled to arrive in subscribers' mailboxes this week. For more information and a host of Financial Planning services including daily news updates, please visit Financial Planning Interactive at www.Financial-Planning.com.

Securities Data Publishing (SDP), a subsidiary of Thomson Financial Services, delivers global business information resources to the institutional and retail financial services community by providing high-quality, in-depth news coverage and analysis of the financial services markets. With such key publications as: Financial Planning, Investment Dealers' Digest, Traders and Employee Benefit News magazines; Mergers & Acquisitions, Venture Capital Journal; Buyouts, WebFinance, and Investor Relations Business newsletters and its growing line of directories, online services and industry conferences, SDP keeps its customers up-to-date on the fast-paced changes and trends in their marketplace.

Thomson Financial Services (TFS) is a leading provider of information services and work solutions to the worldwide financial community. TFS employs more than 6,000 people in more than 40 locations dedicated to the success of our clients and is part of The Thomson Corporation. The principal activity of The Thomson Corporation (TTC) is information and publishing, where in 1997 the Group had some 40,000 staff members and a revenue base approaching US $6 billion. TTC's common shares are quoted on the Toronto, Montreal and London stock exchanges. For more information, visit the TFS Web site at www.tfn.com.