![](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260714180543\/en\/2851276\/5\/SB_q2_2026_FP_survey_graphic.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>![](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260714180543\/en\/2851275\/5\/SB_Logo_2025.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/a>\n\u201cDespite equity market swings these past few weeks, markets are still at near-term highs and financial professionals, and their clients remain cautious about inflation and its impact on household budgets,\u201d said David Byrnes, Head of Distribution at Security Benefit. \u201cStaying close to portfolios and balancing risks while positioning to capture future market opportunities is vital as we head into the rest of the year.\u201d<\/p>
\nThough financial professionals have conflicting views on how far inflation could rise in the next twelve months, half (56%) think the likelihood of a recession in this same time period is low or not likely. But 10% of those surveyed are skeptical and believe a recession is almost certain or highly likely, in comparison to just 4% in Q1.<\/p>
\nSecurity Benefit\u2019s index also found that views on volatility are relatively unchanged since the beginning of the year, despite a decrease in optimism over the last quarter as the Economic Outlook Index fell to 55, compared to 59 in Q1.<\/p>
\nPlanning Perils<\/b><\/p>
\nIn response to ongoing uncertainty, financial professionals continue adjusting portfolios while avoiding major shifts in overall market outlook.<\/p>
\nFinancial professionals overwhelmingly cite geopolitical instability (76%) as the most difficult risk to plan for, followed by new legislation (38%) and market volatility (35%). What\u2019s more, allocations to international equities remain a priority as 39% of financial professionals have increased allocations to them in the past six months.<\/p>
\nWith clients looking to the second half of the year and the potential for regulatory changes, more than half (51%) of financial professionals say the midterm elections in the U.S. will have little to no impact on financial markets. There is an even split among those who believe there will be an impact, with 25% citing any market change to be positive and 24% noting it will be negative.<\/p>
\nEven as volatility and geopolitical tensions cause ripples in the equity market, 70% of financial professionals say downside protection products play either a supporting or limited role in their portfolio strategy.<\/p>
\n\u201cAnnuities and other products that provide protection from loss of principal are often underestimated, even in volatile markets where they can help clients participate in index-linked growth while providing valuable protection,\u201d said Justin Jacquinot, Head of IMO & RIA Sales at Security Benefit. The findings revealed that RIAs are more likely to plan for a range of outcomes, while non-RIAs more often plan for specific outcomes they expect will happen. In either case, annuities are all-weather vehicles that can be used across advisor needs.<\/p>
\nAI Continues to Support Practice Management<\/b><\/p>
\nWith client relationships being the priority for many financial professionals, artificial intelligence is helping relieve more monotonous tasks like taking notes during meetings (50%), marketing and appointment coordination (21%), and investment reporting (14%). AI is also a common tool for financial professionals when evaluating financial products (35%) and allocating assets or building portfolios (18%). That said, most believe its greatest impact is taking notes during meetings (47%). An overwhelming majority (71%) of financial professionals said they feel comfortable using AI professionally.<\/p>
\nMethodology\n \nQuotas were set to include 50 pure RIAs, 50 hybrid RIAs, and 100 non-RIA financial professionals, allowing for comparisons across channels while maintaining continuity with prior RIA-focused research.<\/p> \nAbout Security Benefit\n \nAbout Greenwald Research\n \nSB-10084-66<\/p> \nFINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY - NOT FOR USE WITH CONSUMERS<\/p> \nAnnuities are issued by SBLIC in all states except New York.<\/p> \n_________________________________<\/p><\/td><\/tr>\n\n
\n \n