DALLAS, Dec 20, 2005/ FW/ --- Two hurricanes and rising gas prices did not seem to affect the wealthy, as the number of affluent households in the U.S. was pegged at approximately 23.6 million, a 19% increase from last year, according to a survey released today by the Phoenix Marketing International’s Affluent Marketing Service.

Conduct twice a year, the bi-annual survey defines affluent household as those having $250,000 in investable assets or $150,00 annual income.

The most robust growth in 2005 occurred among so-called "mass affluent" households, those with between $250,000 and less than $1 million in investable assets. This market was up nearly 30% from the year before, after gaining only 8% from 2003 to 2004.

"The large increase in the number of mass affluent households is not surprising", says David M. Thompson, Vice President of the Affluent Practice at Phoenix Marketing International. "Historically, we know that affluent market growth does not always parallel the growth or decline in the broader market indexes", adds Thompson.

Thompson also believes that often in the mainstream affluent market, there is a lag in growth or decline, as the effect of the stock slowly moves households into or out of various wealth categories.

More immediate gains or losses are seen among higher net worth households, whose portfolios often have a higher risk profile and are therefore more reflexive of the moves of the market."

Indeed, the Phoenix data does show a different trend among households with $1 million or more in investable assets.

Reflecting significant gains in the S&P 500 from mid-year 2003 to mid-year 2004, the number of millionaire households increased by 35% in that time period. From mid-year 2004 to mid- year 2005, however, the market experienced single digit growth, and the number of millionaire households grew only in single digits as well.

For more information about the survey, please log on: www.phoenixmi.com