Nearly all UK advisers expects their clients to seek changes to their investment strategies if global volatility persists this year, according to new research from Wesleyan.
More than nine-in-ten UK advisers (92%) polled by UK financial services firm Wesleyan said clients are primed to make further changes to their investment strategies if global market volatility persists in 2025.
The findings are based on a survey of more than 300 UK-based financial advisers, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Wesleyan between the 7 – 14 May 2025.
Four-fifths (80%) of advisers said their clients had already changed their investment strategy since the US announced tariffs on 2 April.
US tariffs
Wesleyan’s research shows that advisers have already been quick to contact clients about market volatility in the wake of the US’ tariff announcements. So far, two in five (37%) have proactively reached out to a specific client segment to discuss the ensuing market volatility, while nearly three in five (57%) have contacted their entire client base.
James Tothill, investment specialist at Wesleyan, said: “Recent extreme market volatility will have understandably made some clients nervous – and many are clearly still worried about what might be yet to come.
“As all advisers know, while some clients will benefit changing their strategy, others might be better sticking with their plans. Of course, at the peak of a crisis, it’s often tempting for clients to think ‘this time it’s different’ – something often said to be the four most dangerous words in investing. With the benefit of hindsight, making no changes to portfolios is often the best thing to do, but of course this itself can be a tough decision at such an emotional time.
“Of course, great financial planning about delivering peace of mind alongside good outcomes. In this environment, advisers might find themselves spending more and more time helping clients avoid making emotionally-led decisions to ensure plans keep delivering good outcomes. This could involve looking at ways to address volatility, rather than knee-jerk changes in the underlying assets themselves.”
This story originally appeared in IA’s sister title Investment International.
