Wealthy U.S. investors' interest in advisor guidance more than doubles, UBS survey finds

Nine in 10 wealthy U.S. investors whose political views influence their investment decisions are considering portfolio changes before the Nov. 3, 2026, midterms, according to the UBS Investor Watch report "Cautious Optimism."

Sector reallocation was the most common planned move, named by 49% of those respondents, followed by adding portfolio hedges at 44%, increasing cash holdings at 43% and adding precious metals at 38%. A separate 44% said they were taking the opposite approach and planning to increase their equity exposure.

On the advice side, the share of investors who said they are more likely to consider working with a financial advisor during an election year rose to 59% from 29% compared with 2024, more than double. Eighty-four percent of respondents said they want more guidance than usual from their advisor during an election year. Both figures measure stated intent, not meetings booked.

InvestmentNews, which reported the findings, described that combination as pointing to an opportunity for advisors who can speak credibly to market and policy implications.

UBS surveyed 1,018 U.S. investors with at least $1 million in investable assets between Sept. 4 and 11, 2026.

Confidence ran higher than in 2024. Sixty-four percent described themselves as highly optimistic about the U.S. economy over the next 12 months, up from 55% ahead of the 2024 presidential election, and optimism about global economic conditions rose to 56% from 42%. Seventy-seven percent were highly optimistic about their investment returns over the next six months, up from 74%, and 82% said they were highly confident of achieving their long-term financial goals.

UBS attributed part of the improved mood to a 36% gain in U.S. stock markets since the November 2024 presidential election, citing U.S. Bank Asset Management Group Research and Bloomberg data as of Sept. 2, 2026.

The economy remains the dominant election concern, cited as highly important by 88% of investors. Fieldwork closed Sept. 11, so the readings predate the campaign's final weeks.