More UK investors are putting their money in the stock market, with 90% of active investors (people who have traded in the last 12 months) in the UK currently owning shares, according to TD Waterhouse. 

But despite this increased activity, confidence has been dented by market jitters this year, with only a third (33%) of UK investors saying they are more confident now than they were at the same time in 2006. 

ISAs have grown in popularity with nearly half of investors (48%) having put money into stocks and shares ISA’s this year (up from 41% in 2006). And Despite recent problems faced by the bank, Northern Rock came out on top when asked what company people would invest their money in if they were given £5K to invest today. Over 1 in 10 people (11%) said they would put it into the beleaguered bank. This was above Tesco (7%) and the Royal Bank of Scotland (4%).

Commenting on the results, Angus Rigby, CEO of TD Waterhouse UK, said: “This year’s survey has produced some fascinating results and overall the message is clear – more UK investors than ever are trading in stocks and shares, even if confidence has been slightly dented, and for the first time property was not seen as the top performing sector.”