Abstract
The savings and investment market has been fairly buoyant over the past few years. More attractive interest rates on savings accounts and cash ISAs and, from mid-2004 to mid-2007, an improving stockmarket have led to strong inflows into deposits and equity investments. However, there are fears that the recent bull market is now over, as the past few months have witnessed increasing market volatility and sharp falls in share prices. Confidence has also been knocked by the sub-prime crisis and uncertainty surrounding future economic growth. The US housing market has collapsed, and there are fears that the trend could replicate in the UK. The commercial property sector looks particularly weak at the moment, and property funds are rapidly losing their appeal.
Mintel asks…
- What are the prevailing macro-economic and investment conditions?
- What is the size of the main sectors within the investment market, and how have they performed recently?
- Who are the leading investment bond providers and largest fund managers?
- How are products sold and marketed?
- What savings and investments do consumers have, and what is their level of investible assets?
- What sources of financial advice do people rely on? Have they had poor investment advice in the past?
- What do people think of the troubles at Northern Rock? Have they been affected by it? And has it changed their attitude towards saving and investing?
- What do people want from their savings and investments? Do they understand the effect inflation has on their savings? And what is their attitude to risk?
- What are people' s main financial priorities in 2008?
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