Investors are using the latest FTSE slide as an opportunity to take advantage of market conditions, according to Barclays Stockbrokers.

Almost six in 10 orders executed by Barclays Stockbrokers clients at the moment are buys, with a 58% to 42% buy:sell ratio recorded on July 1.

Henk Potts, equity strategist at Barclays Stockbrokers, said: “Rising inflation, sky-high oil prices, falling house prices along with weak consumer and business confidence surveys are all conspiring to reduce economic growth prospects and push markets lower.

“However, against a backdrop of cheap valuations we still believe long-term investors will benefit from exposure to shares. Therefore its good see that a significant majority of our self-directed investors are seeing the current short-term volatility as an opportunity.”