With a de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, falling oil prices and a slate of large initial public offerings hitting the market, advisors are registering a strong vote of confidence in stocks and the underlying economy. 

Advisor sentiment on the stock market jumped 8% to an index reading of 131, the highest since the Advisor Sentiment Index began tracking the metric in January 2024. Wealth Management’s Advisor Sentiment Index is a monthly poll of financial advisors meant to gauge their feelings about the current and future direction of the stock market and the economy. (An ASI score of 100 marks a completely neutral view.) 

A decisive majority of respondents (83%) consider the current state of the stock market to be positive, with just 7% expressing a negative view. 

Looking ahead 6 months, 54% of respondents expect an improvement in the state of the stock market. Looking forward 12 months, this optimism increases, with 66% expecting an improvement

Related:Advisor Sentiment Index: Economic Confidence Rises

The uptick in sentiment about the stock market was matched by sentiment about the underlying economy as well. Overall economic sentiment jumped 7% to 120, a level not seen since December 2024. 

Likewise, when asked about where the economy is headed over the next 6 and 12 months, advisors were equally positive. Over half (55%) were positive on the economy in six months, while 66% held a similar view for the economy over the next year. 

This is the first time since the ASI began tracking advisor sentiment that a full two-thirds of respondents reported a positive outlook for the economy over the upcoming year.

Strong corporate earnings, ongoing business profitability, AI-driven investment, and continued economic resilience were commonly mentioned as reasons for optimism, with several respondents noting that economic conditions appear stronger than media headlines often suggest.

Methodology, data collection and analysis by Wealth Management and Informa Engage. Data collected May 1-31, 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.