The announcement in April that the Government was removing the 0.5 per cent stamp duty charge on AIM shares prompted a surge in interest among our clients.

Investors took advantage of the tax break, supporting what we believe is a move to encourage investment in smaller businesses – the backbone of the UK economy.

According to the London Stock Exchange, the average value of AIM shares has risen 16 per cent since last year, an encouraging sign that these stocks are becoming increasingly attractive to investors.

Smaller growth companies are known for their ambitious mentality and innovative approach to business.

The most popular AIM stock currently trading is insurance technology firm Quindell, which features in the number one spot of both our top 10 buys and sells list this month for the UK. However, its current legal battle with Gotham City Research could impact on the value of the stock and the support which investors are prepared to give (the latter’s scathing report in April has already knocked £1bn off Quindell’s value)… Watch this space.

Elsewhere, more encouraging signs for savers and investors is the increased annual allowance and flexibility for ISAs – rising to £15,000 – due to come into play this summer.

Spotlight

• Tech stocks remained the top three most popular international buys in April despite talk of the tech bubble bursting after a deflation in the value of major tech brands in April (Facebook lost a fifth of its value, Google decreased 10 per cent and Twitter dropped 40 per cent off its peak). A series of recent tech flotations, namely Boohoo.com, AO.com and Just Eat, also dropped below their initial launch price.

• Supermarket giants Morrison’s and Sainsbury’s dropped off the top 10 UK buys list last month, replaced by AIM listed oil and gas firm Tower Resources and property behemoth Taylor Wimpey.

• Coca Cola entered the international top ten sell list which could, in part, be due to three research analysts rating the groups stocks with a ‘sell’ recommendation, while seven recommended hold, and three recommended the stock as a ‘buy’.

 The Top 10 UK TD client Buys and Sells for April 2014

The Top 10 International TD client Buys and Sells for April 2014