Overall sentiment among U.S.  brokers and advisors is at its highest point since the financial crisis first hit, according to Fidelity Investments' 6^th Broker and Advisor Sentiment Index study. Overall sentiment was 7.6 on a scale of 0 to 10.

The study also found that GenX/Y advisors, female advisors, advisors working in teams and those who earned more compensation from fees than from commissions typically had higher assets under management than their peers, making these segments likely to drive the future of the advice business.

Sentiment, as measured in this study, is a composite metric that measures brokers' and advisors' satisfaction with the support received from their firms in the areas of running their practices, growing their businesses, professional development and the balance between their work and life, as well as other interests.