Written By: Ryan Krystopowicz
Key Takeaways
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Amid persistent market volatility, advisors are being called to lead with clarity and emotional intelligence, providing not just portfolio guidance but vital reassurance and perspective.
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Our research reveals that clients now expect real-time communication and deeper personal support, redefining how trust and value are measured in advisor relationships.
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By leveraging institutional-grade model portfolios and white-labeled resources, advisors can enhance client confidence and efficiency, turning market uncertainty into a relationship-strengthening opportunity.
Market headlines may change daily, but the role of a financial advisor remains remarkably consistent: to be the calm in the storm, the strategist with a plan and—most importantly—the voice of reason when clients need it most.
In moments of uncertainty, advisors are called to lead—not simply by adjusting allocations, but by anchoring their clients with clarity and confidence. These aren’t just routine check-ins or market updates. These are defining moments. And in many ways, they’re the moments that distinguish good advisors from great ones.
Volatility: More Than Market Noise—A Relationship Catalyst
At WisdomTree, we’ve long believed that volatility doesn’t just test portfolios—it tests relationships. And few periods made that clearer than the COVID-induced sell-off of 2020.
The pandemic triggered an unprecedented stress test for both markets and advisory practices. To understand the lasting effects, we conducted proprietary research to examine how investor expectations shifted—and the results were revealing:
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Real-Time Responsiveness Became the Baseline: Clients increasingly expect immediate access to insights and updates. In a world where information moves fast, advisors who communicate slowly fall behind.
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Emotional and Life-Changing Needs Took Center Stage: Investors began to value their advisors not just for financial expertise, but for guidance that addressed deeper, more personal needs—security, reassurance and peace of mind. More can be found on this topic in this blog post.
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Confidence and Clarity Rose to the Top: Clients wanted to feel confident that their goals remained attainable and to understand exactly how their advisor was positioning them to endure and recover.
These shifts reinforced a powerful truth: in the eyes of the client, the most valuable service an advisor provides isn’t a portfolio—it’s perspective.
Empowering Advisors to Communicate with Purpose
This is where third-party model managers like WisdomTree can play an essential role—not as a replacement for advisor insight, but as a force multiplier.
By partnering with institutional-caliber portfolio strategists, advisors gain more than just models—they gain a team of experts monitoring global markets, generating insights and creating resources designed to elevate communication.
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Building Confidence: Clients feel more secure when they know there’s a team—CFA® charterholders, PhDs and market strategists—behind their advisor’s recommendations. Through white-labeled updates and timely analysis, advisors can show that their clients are not only cared for, but actively watched over.
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Providing Clarity: Thoughtfully crafted content—from market commentary to trade rationales—helps advisors explain complex market dynamics in simple, compelling ways. This transparency fosters deeper trust.
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Resources That Deliver: Our research shows that 98% of advisors would use third-party communication materials, and 90% say these resources make their practice more efficient. Communication, when done right, is a strategic advantage—not a time drain.
Staying Strategic in a Shifting Landscape
Of course, communication must be paired with action. That’s why WisdomTree’s Model Portfolio Investment Committee has continued to adapt portfolios in response to the evolving market environment. We encourage you to click here to explore our insights and see how our perspective could enhance your approach.
Market narratives will continue to evolve—no one knows what next quarter’s headlines will bring. But what remains timeless is the advisor’s ability to guide clients through change with conviction and composure.
Lead with Clarity and Confidence
It’s with this in mind that we built WisdomTree’s Portfolio Solutions program—a comprehensive platform designed to help advisors implement institutional-quality portfolios, streamline operations and enhance their communication strategy. Whether you’re focused on scaling your practice or strengthening client relationships, this program was built to support your vision of success.
Let us help you bring clarity to complex markets—and confidence to client conversations.
Join a Portfolio Solutions Informational Session to learn how we’re collaborating with advisors to build, manage and trade customized Model Portfolios—and empower them to grow their practice with greater efficiency and focus. Click here to register.
For additional insights, subscribe to the Modern Advisor Playbook, a new bi-weekly LinkedIn newsletter designed to equip financial professionals with timely insights, practical strategies and real-world case studies to enhance both portfolio management and practice efficiency. Each edition will spotlight tools, trends and tactics to help you navigate evolving market dynamics and deliver greater value to your clients. Click here to subscribe.
Related: Valuations Then and Now: What History Teaches
Important Risks Related to this Article
For financial advisors: WisdomTree Model Portfolio information is designed to be used by financial advisors solely as an educational resource, along with other potential resources advisors may consider, in providing services to their end clients. WisdomTree’s Model Portfolios and related content are for information only and are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, accounting, investment or financial planning advice by WisdomTree, nor should any WisdomTree Model Portfolio information be considered or relied upon as investment advice or as a recommendation from WisdomTree, including regarding the use or suitability of any WisdomTree Model Portfolio, any particular security or any particular strategy.
For retail investors: WisdomTree’s Model Portfolios are not intended to constitute investment advice or investment recommendations from WisdomTree. Your investment advisor may or may not implement WisdomTree’s Model Portfolios in your account. The performance of your account may differ from the performance shown for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: your investment advisor, and not WisdomTree, is responsible for implementing trades in the accounts; differences in market conditions; client-imposed investment restrictions; the timing of client investments and withdrawals; fees payable; and/or other factors. WisdomTree is not responsible for determining the suitability or appropriateness of a strategy based on WisdomTree’s Model Portfolios. WisdomTree does not have investment discretion and does not place trade orders for your account. This material has been created by WisdomTree, and the information included herein has not been verified by your investment advisor and may differ from information provided by your investment advisor. WisdomTree does not undertake to provide impartial investment advice or give advice in a fiduciary capacity. Further, WisdomTree receives revenue in the form of advisory fees for our exchange-traded Funds and management fees for our collective investment trusts.
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