Curian Capital is out with its annual survey of advisors' attitudes about the future and, little surprise, most mentioned alternative investment and tactical allocation strategies as keys to client success in a still-turbulent global economy.
The Jackson National Life-owned managed account provider surveyed 1,009 independent financial advisors representing 150 broker-dealers with an average $36 million in assets under management.
Similar to findings in 2010, the survey found that advisors' outlook on the global economy is split nearly evenly—34% of respondents believe the economic crisis will get better in the near future, 32% believe the economic crisis will be long term and 34% were unsure. This "striking disparity" among advisors is likely to cause a significantly fractured approach to portfolio management strategies in the year ahead, according to the survey.
"Government spending topped the list of advisors' perceived threats to their clients' retirement accounts, at 35%, followed closely by market volatility at 31%," Curian said in a statement. "In 2010, advisors said that not generating enough income to last through retirement was the biggest threat to their clients' retirement plans; however, this year, 82% of respondents reported that they have the adequate income-generating investment products to meet their clients' retirement needs."
Other key findings include:
• Nearly two-thirds of the advisors say that they have begun using more tactical asset allocation strategies to mitigate economic volatility, and more than half of respondents report they are using more alternative investing strategies.
