RJ and Makay

Despite all the gloomy news lately, financial advisors (FAs) remain steadfastly optimistic about the future, shows the latest quarterly research from Russell Investments. “The headlines seem to reinforce everything that's going wrong, but financial advisors who are more experienced are seeing a substantial amount of optimism,” says Kevin Bishopp, director of practice management at Russell's private client services business.

Russell's quarterly survey of about 800 FAs was conducted in late January and early February, so it doesn't reflect the unfolding disaster in Japan. But the political unrest that was sweeping across Africa and the Middle East when the survey was being done apparently wasn't enough to dim respondents' outlook.

Independent financial advisors (FAs) are generally feeling very good about the securities markets and economy, suggests a recent survey by Charles Schwab.

Among more than 1,300 independent FAs surveyed, 77% expected the S&P 500 to rise in the next six months — a 14-point improvement since the last Schwab survey in July. Similarly, 56% of respondents described themselves as bullish on the stock market six months out while only 10% said they're bearish.