Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook
The Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook (FACO) is a monthly index published on Financial Planning that surveys hundreds of financial advisors to understand their forward-looking perspective on the economy and plans for client asset allocations. This index provides a snapshot of the economic landscape and provides a peer view into client advising choices for the coming month.
In this index, advisors are asked to share their outlook on six core economic indicators: the overall economy, the global economic system, government policy, their asset allocation, their client's risk tolerance, and their practice performance. From these responses, a score is developed to take into account the balance of positive and negative outlooks. These scores are then averaged to create the overall outlook score: a value from -100 to 100 with -100 being the most pessimistic outlook possible, 0 being a neutral outlook, and 100 being the most optimistic outlook possible.
The FACO (June, 2023 – present) is a reimagined version of the Retirement Advisor Confidence Index (June, 2011 – May, 2023).
Across more than two years of advisor surveys, industry worries have evolved dramatically. Yet certain themes continue to capture attention.
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Across more than two years of advisor surveys, industry worries have evolved dramatically. Yet certain themes continue to capture attention.
October 31
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As geopolitical and other uncertainty remains, gold is seen as a useful hedge. But experts warn gold's rise won't last forever.
October 17
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In this month's Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook, advisors' feelings about the overall economy and practice performance were up. That optimism could be fleeting.
October 7
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For clients holding crypto, about half have experienced notable losses. But 70% have experienced notable gains, the latest Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook found.
September 24
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Financial Planning's September Financial Advisor Confidence Outlook found that equities are growing hotter and cash is cooling off in client portfolios.
September 22
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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.
September 19
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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.
August 20
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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.
August 18
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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.
July 10
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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.
July 8
