UK investors plan to continue lockdown habits

During the pandemic, many people have been able to significantly increase their investment contributions, as spending on travel, leisure and hospitality plummeted.

Now, a poll1 has revealed that, far from reducing their investment contributions as restrictions loosen, 76% of UK investors intend to keep up their lockdown habits, with half planning on reducing everyday spending in order to continue investing the same amount or more.

On average, investors plan to contribute 19% more each month post-lockdown, increasing to 36% for younger generations. By contrast, just 6% plan to reduce their contributions.

The pandemic spawned a new generation of investors, but it was easy to assume it was just a temporary craze spurred on by lockdown boredom. These findings suggest otherwise, and show a permanent change in the UK’s attitude towards spending, saving and investing. The rise in investing makes particular sense when set against a backdrop of rock-bottom interest rates.

Get started on your investment journey

While it is never guaranteed, investments have historically delivered better returns than savings over the long term. For assistance in building a diversified portfolio aligned to your risk profile, please do get in touch.

1Barclays Smart Investor, 2021

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.