U.S. investors might be willing to make more investments if they were to see evidence that U.S. government leaders are  taking clear and credible action to address the country's current fiscal mess, according to a BlackRock survey released Friday.

Nearly 50 percent of the survey respondents listed Washington getting the country's financial house in order as the nation's top priority.

Survey respondents indicated that government fiscal action is especially important because there's a general strong reluctance by most investors to make any new investments with the current cash positions held within their portfolios.

Only one third of respondents say they plan to make any new investments using their cash in the next 12 months.

Respondents said specific financial actions must be taken, including lowering market volatility; bolstering the country's economic performance regardless of events happening in the world political landscape; improving the U.S. unemployment picture; and credible action by European authorities to address the Euro crisis.

New York-based BlackRock's survey was produced with the help of research firm Market Strategies International. The Internet survey queried 671 investors -- 294 retired and 377 non-retired -- between Sept. 26 and Oct. 9. All investors surveyed work with a financial advisor and all had $250,000 or more in investable assets.

BlackRock is an investment, risk management and advisory services firm with $3.7 trillion assets under management as of Sept. 30.

Jim McConville