IMA PUBLISHES FULL FINDINGS OF 3^RD GREAT BRITISH INVESTOR REPORT

Following publication of the Investment Management Association's (IMA) Great British Investor Confidence and Great British Investor Intentions indices as at May 2009, IMA has today published the full findings of its biannual Great British Investor report. The key findings (as at May 2009) are:

• 49% of investors believe now is a good time to invest.
• However, the likelihood of investors increasing investments has not improved significantly over the last year.
• Over the next six months, more investors say the investment market is likely to get better (net balance of 8%).
• However, 53% of investors expect the FTSE 100 to take over 2 years to return to 6000.
• Investors are less likely to think they should be putting money into risk averse products (23%) compared to a year ago (39%), with 43% saying if you see an opportunity you should take the risk.
• In terms of how long the economic slowdown might last, most predicted (47%) it would take between 1 and 2 years.

Commenting, Richard Saunders, Chief Executive of IMA said:

"Although investors are still cautious, the latest IMA Great British Investor report shows signs of increasing investor optimism compared to a year ago. If investor confidence continues to gain momentum investors may start returning to the markets in the near term.  IMA's sales statistics suggest this may have started with the last six months showing healthy inflows and May's figures being the third highest level ever."

The full report can be viewed here.

The press release on the initial findings of the report can be viewed here.

IMA's next survey and indices will be published in December 2009. 

-ENDS-

1. This IMA Great British Investor report is the third in a series tracking the behaviour, confidence, intentions and concerns of Britain's retail investors. The survey was conducted by YouGov between 7^th -11^th of May 2009.
2. Previous surveys can be found here. 
3. Net scores are calculated by subtracting the sum of negative scores from positive scores.
4. About Investment Management Association (IMA)
   IMA is the trade body for the UK's £3 trillion asset management industry. The money its members manage is in a wide variety of investment vehicles including authorised investment funds, pension funds and stocks and shares ISAs.  Its role is to represent the industry and promote high standards.

For further information, please contact:
Noreen Shah, Press Officer, IMA                          0207 831 0898
Mona Patel, Head of Communications, IMA           07834 089332