ASI: Optimism Grows for Economy as Stock Market Confidence Slips

Advisor confidence in the stock market remained largely unchanged in February, while their feelings about the health of the economy improved somewhat.

The results of February’s Advisor Sentiment index were collected before the war in Iran and the subsequent oil shock. Yet, they still indicate advisors’ relative optimism about the health of the U.S. financial system. The month’s economic index registered 113, five points higher than the previous month’s reading.

The WMIQ Advisor Sentiment Survey is a monthly poll of registered investment advisors to evaluate their outlook on the current and upcoming economy and stock market. An index score of 100 indicates a neutral view, while scores above or below 100 indicate positive or negative sentiment, respectively.

Nearly half of financial advisors considered the current economy to be either “good” or “excellent.” At the time of the survey, they were evenly split on how they expected the economy to change in six months, with 38% predicting an improvement and 33% expecting a temporary decline. This outlook will likely prove accurate as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt oil markets.

Based on data from the monthly survey (Feb. 11 to Feb. 28), financial advisors were more optimistic about the 12-month economic outlook. More than half (52%) indicated they expected improvement, the highest level of optimism seen in the survey over the past six months.

Even so, fewer advisors were unsure about the economy’s direction, with only 13% predicting little to no change. Nearly one in four (36%) said they expected a decline in the coming year.

Even before the impact of the Middle East hostilities rippled through the global exchanges, there were signs that advisors’ still largely positive market sentiment was beginning to fade. While almost seven in 10 advisors (68%) said they felt positive about the current state of the markets, February marked the third straight month that this percentage has decreased, down from 80% in December. Their views on the future of the markets at the time of the survey were evenly split, with some expecting improvement and others predicting a decline.

Methodology, data collection and analysis by Wealth Management and Informa Engage. Data collected February 11-28, 2026. The methodology conforms to accepted marketing research methods, practices, and procedures. Respondents are asked for their view on the economy and the stock markets both currently, in six months and in one year. Responses are weighted and used to create an index tied to a neutral value of 100. Over time, the ASI will provide directional sentiment of retail-facing financial advisors.