Russell Investments released its 2012 Financial Professional Outlook in March. This outlook includes results of a year’s worth of quarterly surveys of financial advisors to gain insight on the professional advisors perspectives and their clients. Findings cover market sentiment, advisor and client conversation topics, defining performance and return expectations.
When it comes to conversations between advisors and their clients, the two most popular topics initiated by advisors were asset allocation/portfolio rebalancing and investment performance. The two most discussed topics initiated by clients were market volatility and worries about government policies.
One of the least discussed topics was taxes. The survey notes this is an area where advisors can provide a valuable service to their clients. “After reviewing the year-long trends, we found it interesting how few advisors are talking about taxes. Only 21% brought up the topic with their clients this quarter, while advisors say just 11% of clients initiated a tax conversation. If the survey was held in April, those numbers would no doubt be higher, but this is an area where advisors may add considerable value throughout the year.
Read more about conversations with clients, and the other items covered in the survey like market sentiment and return expectations from Russell Investments.
Russell Financial Professional Outlook
http://www.russell.com/Helping-Advisors/PDF/financial_professional_outlook_004463849.pdf?ver=8
By Frank Pape
March, 2012
