Financial professionals are more bullish about global stocks and the world economy than they were a year ago, according to The CFA Institute’s 2013 Global Market Sentiment Survey.

The poll shows that 50 percent of the respondents believe equities will offer the highest total return next year over bonds, cash, commodities and precious metals. That compares with 41 percent who put stocks at the top of the totem pole a year ago.

Meanwhile, 40 percent of those surveyed expect the global economy to grow in 2013, up from 34 percent a year ago.

Editor's Note: How You Lost $85,000 During the Last Decade. See the Numbers.

The survey includes responses from 6,783 CFA charter holders and members. The Chartered Financial Analyst designation is one of the top credentials that can be gained by a financial professional.

As for the biggest risk for global financial markets, 37 percent of the financial pros cite the European government debt crisis, and 31 percent say weak economic conditions.

"Overall it's a lot brighter outlook for 2013 on both local and global economies, and it's a bright outlook for equities, with the exception of Europe," Kurt Schacht, managing director at the CFA Institute, tells Yahoo.

When it comes to U.S. stocks, global economic recovery will spark a 12 percent gain for the Standard & Poor’s 500 in 2013, says Oppenheimer Chief Investment Strategist John Stoltzfus.

“The U.S. has been growing,” he tells CNBC. The economy expanded 3.1 percent in the third quarter.

Editor's Note: How You Lost $85,000 During the Last Decade. See the Numbers.