Barclays Stockbrokers clients back funds for opportunities in 2012
Barclays Stockbrokers clients are backing growth funds, equity income funds, and Emerging Markets funds for returns in 2012, according to new research from the UK's largest execution-only retail broker.
The survey, conducted amongst Barclays Stockbrokers ISA clients, found investors favour a range of funds for their portfolio, but most (56%) are investing in growth funds, followed by equity income funds, and Emerging Markets funds (53% and 52% respectively). According to the survey, over the last 12 months, 17% of clients have updated their funds portfolio to focus on generating income. Barclays Stockbrokers also found that clients are utilising tax wrappers to make the most of their fund investments. Almost half (49%) of all fund purchases in February 2012 were placed in ISA accounts, accounting for 26% of all assets invested.
Regionally, Barclays Stockbrokers investment ISA clients investing in funds overwhelmingly favour the UK (82%), followed by Emerging Markets (55%) and Asia (53%). Despite a third of respondents (32%) believing that investing in 2012 will be challenging, 30% say 2012 will be no different to any other year for investing in funds, and that they simply will tailor their approach accordingly. A confident 16% believe 2012 will present better investment opportunities. Clients are active when it comes to reviewing their fund investments held in their investment ISAs - over a quarter (27%) review or trade their fund holdings at least every week, and one in five (19%) do so every month.
Alastair Thaw, Head of Investor Product at Barclays Stockbrokers, said: "Clients consistently tell us they want the choice of the widest range of funds that can be accessed with ease and at competitive prices, and we see this evidenced in the breadth of funds they are investing in. We have also seen the volume of funds trading across all our clients increase 32% from January to February this year, and the assets invested by clients increase 44% month on month.
"In 2012, our clients are confidently backing the UK but our enhanced Funds Market offering means we're able to bring something new to the market. Our collaboration with Fidelity FundsNetwork provides investors with a wider choice of funds and today we have announced our offering has expanded even further with investors now having access to around 2500 funds from over 90 providers, with no initial charges. Investors may also qualify for a 2012 loyalty cash bonus and have access to extensive funds research and factsheets including the Citywire Selection which provides independent insight from investment experts."