Client Optimism Falls to 38% in CFP Survey

The CFP Board's fall sentiment indices show client financial optimism at its lowest since spring 2025 amid rising cost-of-living concerns.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Financial Planning

Empty wooden consultation table beside a tall window in a quiet office, with warm late-afternoon light and a potted fern on the sill. — The CFP Board reported Tuesday that only 38% of clients hold a positive financial outlook, down from 50% in summer and the lowest since spring 2025. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The CFP Board released its Fall 2026 CFP Professionals Sentiment Indices on Tuesday, finding 38% of clients hold a positive financial outlook, down from 50% in the summer survey. Client sentiment is at its lowest level since spring 2025.

Why it matters

The CFP Board cited persistent global political instability and affordability concerns as drivers of the decline. Client conversations centered on inflation, the rising cost of living, political dysfunction, and artificial intelligence.

The CFP Board's survey of CFP professionals shows 38% of clients with a positive outlook, down from 50% in summer, while 52% of planners rate their own outlook positive, down from 61% in summer 2026 and 54% a year earlier. Whether the decline persists into the next year remains unaddressed in the survey results.

The players

CFP Board

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is the U.S. body that certifies financial planners and publishes periodic surveys of its professionals.

Reuters/Ipsos

Reuters/Ipsos is a polling partnership between the Reuters news agency and the Ipsos research firm that conducts national surveys of U.S. public opinion.

The details

Planners reported that 35% expect U.S. economic conditions to deteriorate over the next year, while 38% expect them to hold steady. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 48% of registered voters named cost of living as the top ballot issue, and 49% said their household finances had worsened since January 2025.

Summer 2026: Prior CFP survey showed client optimism at 50%.
January 2025: Starting point for the poll question on worsening household finances.
Spring 2025: Last time client sentiment was this low.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: CFP Board released the sentiment indices as midterm elections were held.

Market Dynamics

The fall figure of 38% continues the downward movement recorded in the CFP Board's summer 2026 survey, which measured 50% client optimism. The drop places client sentiment at its lowest point since spring 2025.

Households reporting worsened finances may need to revisit monthly budgets and savings allocations as cost-of-living pressures persist. Planners surveyed expect client base growth over the next 12 months, which may affect the availability of advisory appointments.

The takeaway

Client optimism has fallen as affordability and political uncertainty weigh on households. Reviewing spending and savings goals against current cost-of-living conditions can help households respond to the shift.