IFAs back corporate bonds and UK equities in 2009

A survey of IFAs undertaken at the Joint Investment Forum 2009 has revealed that corporate bonds, UK equities and income funds are the top three asset classes IFAs expect to be recommending to their clients this year.

The findings from a poll of 1,430 IFAs conducted by Gartmore, M&G, Newton and Schroders at the eighth annual Joint Investment Forum revealed that 83% of respondents will be recommending corporate bonds, 67% will be recommending UK equities and almost two thirds (65%) will be recommending income funds in 2009. This is in comparison to the survey in 2008 where global, European and UK equities were the most popular sectors.

These findings show that despite the global credit crisis, IFAs are convinced of the long-term benefits of investing not only in bonds but see a potential resurgence in UK equities and income funds in 2009.

In addition to corporate bonds, UK equities and income funds, 58% of IFAs will be recommending global equities, 51% multi-manager funds and 50% US equities. Furthermore, 40% of respondents surveyed at the events will be recommending European equities and over a third (34%) will recommend investing in cash to their clients.