Stocks and bonds are still popular among brave Brits who hold stocks and shares ISAs, one provider has claimed.
Large numbers of stocks and shares ISA holders are putting money into assets whose value can fall or rise depending on market conditions.
According to Barclays Stockbrokers, brave investors are continuing to use their tax-free ISAs despite the recent near-unprecedented turbulence in the stock and bond markets. A poll from the firm revealed that nine in ten are putting money into these "risk-based" investments.
What's more, 66 percent were found to have taken out an investment ISA in the past year, although 41 percent also claimed to have become more "risk-averse" in the turmoil.
The FTSE 100 retreated by over 30 percent in 2008, as the credit crunch worsened and a severe downturn began in the real economy. Government bonds have been buffeted by the Bank of England's recent announcement that it will embark on a £75 billion programme of quantitative easing - while corporate bond returns have increased as the crunch pushes more and more firms towards defaulting on their debts.
Barbara-Ann King, head of investments at Barclays Stockbrokers, commented: "While the ongoing market volatility of recent months has clearly taken its toll on investor confidence, our research shows that there's still a place for equities in investors' portfolios and the overwhelming majority of our customers continue to see value and opportunity in the markets into the next tax year."
