British shares and houses drive up investor confidence again
INVESTOR confidence hit a nine-month high in March, as healthy UK stocks and house prices combined with a receding threat from the Eurozone.
The sentiment index from Lloyds Bank’s private bank rose to a net balance of 16 per cent, as those investors reporting growing confidence outweighed those who are downbeat.
The index rose from 11.9 per cent in February to 15.8 per cent in March, in a positive sign for the government ahead of the election.
The net balance on UK shares improved from 29.1 per cent to 36.5 per cent. But the housing balance slipped from 46.7 per cent to a still-high 43.4 per cent.
“The positive sentiment towards UK shares is reflected in the pace of the UK economic recovery which remains solid,” said Lloyds’ Ashish Misra. “However, UK property shares are starting to ease following the recent housing market slowdown, which may lead to a slight tapering off of investor demand in the coming months.”