The majority of IFAs plan to recommend global, European and UK equities to their clients in 2008, a recent poll has revealed.

A poll of 904 IFAs by fund managers Gartmore, M&G, Newton and Schroders showed 81% plan to recommend UK equities to private investors in 2008. In addition, 77% will be recommending global equities and 65% will advise their clients to invest in European equities this year. According to M&G, this shows IFAs confidence in equities as a long-term investment, despite recent turbulence in such markets.

When it comes to investing for income, 75% of IFAs advocated the use of income funds and 58% would go for multi-manager funds in order to help clients diversify their portfolios. Slightly more than half of those polled recommended cash-based investments as a method of generating income in the current economic environment.

Continuing the diversification theme, 39% of IFAs said they would continue to recommend clients invest in international commercial property this year, while 32% said they would not discount UK commercial property investment over the next 12 months.