Planners Embrace Alternative Investments Amidst Market Uncertainty, 2025 Trends in Investing Survey Reveals

Annual survey reveals top trends in investing among financial planners and their clients.

DENVER, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial planners are significantly increasing their use of alternative investments, marking a notable shift in investment strategy amidst ongoing market volatility and economic uncertainty, according to the 2025 Trends in Investing Survey, conducted by the Journal of Financial Planning and the Financial Planning Association^® (FPA^®), the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professionals.

The survey, conducted annually for over a decade, highlights a growing appetite for diversification beyond traditional stocks and bonds, with planners seeking new avenues for growth and risk management. With 195 responses from financial planners, the 2025 survey reveals the trends, challenges, and opportunities ahead for financial planners and their clients.

"The collaboration between the Journal of Financial Planning and FPA continues to yield invaluable insights into the evolving investment landscape," said 2025 FPA President Paul Brahim, CFP^®, CEPA^®. "The 2025 Trends in Investing Survey provides a crucial snapshot of how financial planners are navigating today's market and economy. These insights offer valuable guidance as we navigate an evolving investment landscape for our clients."

The survey uncovers a substantial increase in the adoption of various alternative asset classes:

• Options: Usage nearly doubled from 8.65% in 2024 to 17.16% in 2025, a remarkable 98.38% increase.
• Individually Traded REITs: Rose from 14.9% to 23.13% (+55.23%).
• Private Debt: Increased from 12.5% to 19.4% (+55.2%).
• Non-Traded REITs: Climbed from 9.62% to 14.18% (+47.4%).
• Precious Metals: Grew from 8.65% to 12.69% (+46.7%).

This surge in alternative investments contrasts with waning interest in previously hyped areas. Usage of ESG funds remains flat or declining, with only 8% of planners expecting to increase allocation. Similarly, cryptocurrency usage remains marginal at 5%, with minimal growth projected.

The shift towards alternatives is further underscored by planners' reevaluation of traditional asset allocation strategies. Driven by economic uncertainty (69%) and market volatility (63%), planners are actively seeking ways to enhance portfolio resilience. While confidence in the traditional 60/40 portfolio endures for two-thirds of planners, the survey reveals a clear trend towards diversification and incorporating alternative investments.

"The 2025 Trends in Investing Survey reveals some interesting shifts in adviser attitudes while highlighting the steadfastness of the tried and true," said Lee Baker, CFP^®, practitioner editor of the Journal of Financial Planning and founder of Claris Financial Advisors in Atlanta, Ga. "On the one hand, we see a doubling of the use of options. On the other hand, we see that the traditional 60/40 allocation remains a bedrock. The report provides a useful pulse check for advisers to see how they differ (or not) from other practitioners."

The 2025 Trends in Investing Survey provides crucial insights into the evolving landscape of investment management. For the complete report, please visit the 2025 Trends in Investing Survey.

Of those surveyed, 79.39% are CFP^® professionals, 51.5% indicated they work as an independent IAR/RIA, and 55.3% say they have more than 21 years of financial services experience. The 2025 Trends in Investing Survey was conducted from March 23 to May 4, 2025, and received 195 responses.

Additional research by FPA is available at www.financialplanningassociation.org/learning/research.

About the Financial Planning Association
For 25 years, the Financial Planning Association^® (FPA^®) has been the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is the CFP^® professional's partner in planning by helping them realize their vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org.

About the Journal of Financial Planning
First published in 1979, the mission of the Journal of Financial Planning is to expand the body of knowledge in the financial planning profession. With monthly feature articles, interviews, columns, and peer-reviewed technical contributions, the Journal's content is dynamic, innovative, thought-provoking, and directly beneficial to financial planners in their work. Learn more at www.fpajournal.org.

SOURCE Financial Planning Association