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).

Advisors warily confident in economy as Election Day arrives

At the start of November, wealth managers and their clients stood watching and waiting as America decided its next president.

By Nathan Place

November 5

2 Min Read

FACO

Ahead of Election Day, financial advisors' confidence highest in 6 months

Despite the increase in overall confidence, election anxiety has remained a potent force for financial advisors and clients.

By Rob Burgess

October 31
FACO

Financial advisors' confidence in the economy still shaky as election looms

The prospect of lower interest rates from the Federal Reserve helped buoy outlooks.

By Rob Burgess

September 25
FACO

Market volatility and a contentious election year caused advisor confidence to plummet

However, financial advisors have been trying to ease client fears by taking a longer view.

By Rob Burgess

August 21
Retirement

Retirement confidence plateaus as clients hold their breath for election

Retirement advisors' confidence in the economy broke even in July, but a closer look shows rising anxiety.

By Nathan Place

July 8
Retirement confidence ticks upward, but election anxiety spreads

In terms of the economy, advisors and clients are growing cautiously optimistic. Politics is another story.

Sponsored by ADP
Retirement confidence plunges as advisors fret over Fed's course

For the third straight month, retirement advisors have lost confidence in the economy — and many blame the central bank.

Sponsored by ADP
Retirement confidence keeps dropping amid global uncertainty

As wars rage abroad and the presidential campaign heats up at home, "uncertainty" is the word of the day — and it's making retirement advisors nervous.

Sponsored by ADP
Retirement confidence falters as election 'ugliness' approaches

From October to February, retirement advisors were feeling increasingly bullish about the economy. Then politics got in the way.

Sponsored by ADP
Retirement confidence keeps rising as Fed ponders rate cuts

Retirement advisors' confidence in the economy has grown for four straight months — and hit a new record in February.

Sponsored by ADP
Retirement confidence reaches new heights as Fed promises rate cuts

As the new year gets underway, wealth managers are feeling unusually optimistic about the U.S. economy — and many say it's thanks to the central bank.

Sponsored by ADP