FACO

Findings from iterations of Financial Planning's Financial Advisory Confidence Outlook show which assets have stood the test of time.

One-third of financial advisors say balancing personalization with growth is the hardest trade-off for them to manage. Doing so successfully means making hard choices about what's most important for clients and the business.

Less than a third of firms have a formal, documented plan in place, according to this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook survey. Experts say this is a dangerous state of affairs.

Political instability and other pressures are feeding some clients' portfolio fears, advisors say in this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook.

Across more than two years of advisor surveys, industry worries have evolved dramatically. Yet certain themes continue to capture attention.

Nearly half of advisors are considering adding this service, according to the Financial Planning's October Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook.

As geopolitical and other uncertainty remains, gold is seen as a useful hedge. But experts warn gold's rise won't last forever.

In this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook, advisors' feelings about the overall economy and practice performance were up. That optimism could be fleeting.

For clients holding crypto, about half have experienced notable losses. But 70% have experienced notable gains, the latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook found.

Financial Planning's September Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook found that equities are growing hotter and cash is cooling off in client portfolios.

Respondents in this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook cheered the prospect of a Fed rate cut, but they didn't feel good about much else.

Volatility, concerns over security and custody, and a lack of clear regulatory framework are the key barriers to adoption, according to Financial Planning's August Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook survey.

The so-called "Magnificent Seven" are doing well, but experts say that doesn't tell the story of the overall economy, which is struggling under the surface.

Half of polled advisors think AI will reduce the number of advisors needed in the market within the next five years, according to Financial Planning's July latest survey.

Many advisors expressed optimism that tariff-induced volatility was calming, but others said they are concerned about the long-term effects of the so-called Big Beautiful Bill.

With concerns about compliance and client connections, some financial advisors find that double-checking AI can negate the time savings they're hoping for.

By far the most significant factor behind the jump in this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook (FACO) was the outlook for the overall economy.

Amid the tariff-related uncertainty, gold hit an all-time record of $3,500 last month as some advisors and clients look for hedges.

The May Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook survey shows that instability, especially around tariffs, continues to weigh heavily on the minds of advisors and their clients.

President Donald Trump's back-and-forth tariff plays have some advisors worried they are ill equipped to handle more swings, per new Financial Planning data.