Geopolitical shocks a top client concern: advisor survey

Over half (54%) of advisors say geopolitical risks was their clients’ top concern, according to poll data Fidelity released Tuesday.

This was followed by clients asking about market volatility (25%) and a potential recession (13%).

“Advisors told us clearly that geopolitics is the dominant force shaping client sentiment right now,” Chris Pepper, vice-president of corporate affairs at Fidelity, said in a statement. “In an environment that feels louder, faster and more unpredictable, advisors are playing a critical role in helping clients stay focused and confident.”

Advisors, too have largely the same concerns, with 59% saying that geopolitics is the macroeconomic factor they expect will most impact portfolios this year, followed by market volatility (17%) and inflation (12%).

In light of this, over a third (35%) of advisors say their top priority is keeping clients on track. Meanwhile, about a quarter (24%) prioritized retirement planning and one-fifth (19%) said their prime concern is risk management.

Advisors say their biggest opportunity to add value to a client’s portfolio in 2026 is international diversification (61%). Over a quarter (26%) of advisors believe Canada offers the strongest risk return potential over the next five years, with an equal proportion believing the same for the U.S., followed by emerging markets (23%) and Europe (19%).

The Fidelity poll sampled between 2,500 and 3,100 advisors on Jan. 28, during the Fidelity Toronto Vision hybrid event.

Jonathan Got

Jonathan Got is a reporter with Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. Reach him at jonathan@newcom.ca.