While last November’s election might have upset the political applecart, financial advisors don’t expect it to impact their investment decisions, according to a survey released March 5 by Schwab Institutional. The poll included nearly 1,400 independent investment advisors with $347 billion in assets under management.

A large majority, 76 percent, said the election wouldn’t influence their investment decisions, while an even greater number, 81 percent, said the drop in President Bush’s popularity would not affect their choices.

In the survey, conducted before February’s stock market drop, 78 percent of the advisors said they expected the S&P 500 to rise during the next six months. They were ambivalent, however, about making their goals. Slightly less than half, 47 percent, said it wouldn’t be easy to meet their targets, but added that it wouldn’t be difficult either. Only 15 percent said their clients were nervous about their investments; 57 percent indicated that their clients have realistic expectations about their returns.

According to the advisors, their clients’ top concerns are: retirement, 79 percent; financial security for the family, 63 percent; and paying too much in taxes, 47 percent.

Schwab Institutional is a support provider for more than 5,000 independent investment advisors.