While more than half of investors (52%) said they felt reassured and well-guided by their advisors during the market volatility, another 31% said they felt uncertain and that they were not getting enough support, according to a recent J.D. Power Wealth Intelligence Report. Another 7% of investors said they were frustrated and not getting the guidance they needed, and 10% were unsure.
The J.D. Power report, fielded on April 15 and 16, was based on responses from 1,190 investors with at least $100,000 in investable assets.
In all, 56% of respondents said the current market is the toughest investment climate they’ve experienced.
Despite investors indicating a lack of reassurance, advisors are proactively reaching out to clients. According to the survey, 57% are reaching out via “low-touch” methods such as text messages, emails and letters, and 56% are using “high-touch” methods, such as phone calls, video conferences and in-person meetings.
“Despite this widespread multichannel outreach, 18% of investors said they have received no contact from their financial advisors following the tariff announcement,” the report said.
The market environment is also pushing many self-directed investors to seek professional help, with 40% saying they were “probably likely” or “definitely likely” to work with an advisor in the next 12 months. For younger self-directed investors, including millennial and Gen Z respondents, that rises to more than half.
“Market shocks like the one we’ve been experiencing throughout the month of April create a moment of truth opportunity for investment professionals to demonstrate their ability to guide clients through a rational, practical process that is not overly swayed by emotion or fear,” the report said. “So far, in response to tariff-related market activity, advisor performance managing those emotions has been mixed.
“While a little more than half of investors feel like they are getting the guidance they need, there are a lot of people out there right now in a full-blown panic. Advisors need to communicate frequently and effectively to help their clients through these types of challenging market moves.”