New Survey Reveals 51% of RIAs Are Bullish on US Markets, 79% Use Gen AI-Enabled Tools

Independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) are entering year-end 2025 with renewed optimism, according to new data released today by Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global electronic broker. More than half (51%) of financial advisors are bullish on US markets, and 47% hold a positive outlook on global markets — a notable shift in sentiment from earlier this year.

The fall update to the 2025 Interactive Brokers Advisor Insights Survey reveals that independent advisors are expressing more confidence in the markets compared to the spring. In fact, 59% of advisors have changed their views on the market since June — 29% have become more bullish, while 30% report turning more bearish.

Despite the growing optimism, advisors remain mindful of potential risks. The possibility of a market correction is their top concern, while clients focus on the impact of volatility on their investments. The unexpected rise in gold prices ranks among the year's biggest surprises, second only to renewed trade tensions and tariff developments.

In response to evolving macroeconomic conditions, advisors are actively adjusting asset allocations:

• 21% are increasing investments in US equities, 52% are maintaining current exposure
• 41% are increasing investments in non-US equities
• 27% are decreasing cash holdings (US dollars)

“2025 has been a wild — but generally satisfying — ride for most in US equity markets, but markets rely heavily on investor psychology,” said Steve Sosnick, Chief Strategist at Interactive Brokers. “It would not be surprising if advisors and investors become more reflective about the balance between risk and reward as we get closer to the end of the year.”

Advisors’ confidence extends beyond their market outlook. A majority (72%) have confidence that they’ll grow their businesses in 2025. Meanwhile, adoption of generative AI tools continues to rise — 79% of advisors say they now use AI-enabled tools in their business, and 58% report using them more today than they did at the start of the year.

Interactive Brokers helps RIAs and independent financial advisors streamline operations, scale efficiently, and deliver a more competitive, personalized client experience — all through a powerful suite of trading, custody and account management tools, low costs, and global market access. To learn more, visit IBKR Advisor Solutions.

To access other findings from the fall 2025 survey, visit: Interactive Brokers Advisor Insights Survey.

About the Fall 2025 Interactive Brokers Advisor Insights Survey

In September 2025, Interactive Brokers surveyed its independent financial advisor clients to understand their current sentiment on the markets and how they are investing client assets. The global email survey was completed by 116 fee-based financial advisors with an average of 16 years of experience and $79.6 million in client assets under management. Survey respondents indicated they work at firms with an average of $307 million in client assets under management.

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About Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.:

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBKR) is a member of the S&P 500. Its affiliates provide automated trade execution and custody of securities, commodities, foreign exchange, and forecast contracts around the clock on over 160 markets in numerous countries and currencies from a single unified platform to clients worldwide. We serve individual investors, hedge funds, proprietary trading groups, financial advisors and introducing brokers. Our four decades of focus on technology and automation have enabled us to equip our clients with a uniquely sophisticated platform to manage their investment portfolios. We strive to provide our clients with advantageous execution prices and trading, risk and portfolio management tools, research facilities and investment products, all at low or no cost, positioning them to achieve superior returns on investments. Interactive Brokers has consistently earned recognition as a top broker, garnering multiple awards and accolades from respected industry sources such as Barron's, Investopedia, Stockbrokers.com, and many others.

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Independent registered investment advisors (RIAs) are entering year-end 2025 with renewed optimism, according to new data released today by Interactive Brokers (Nasdaq: IBKR), an automated global electronic broker.