Stifel is one of the few that kept most of their clients out of the market during the big downturn. Their performance will serve them well as they will be one of the few brokerages that can boast about their results in '08-'09.

Next 5-10 years I see a 2 to 3 time increase in SF stock price as savvy investors turn their money over to brokerages they can trust as the big boys of the past fade into the sunset.