The firm surveyed 1,479 UK-based investors, all of whom have investments worth in excess of £20,000, excluding their property, savings, and pensions. It found that 33% of investors saw the value of their portfolios decrease between March 2020 and September 2021.
29% said they had “significantly altered” their investment strategies in response to Covid-19 – this figure rises to 56% among investors with portfolios worth more than £1 million. Meanwhile, 47% changed their investment plans due to the UK’s record-low interest rates.
The research showed that 37% of UK investors paused on making major investment decisions over the past 18 months due to the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic. The same number (37%) said they were more risk-averse in their investment strategies in this period.
The survey suggests a healthy degree of optimism remains. While 41% cited the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic as their main investment concern, 44% are optimistic their portfolios will perform well over the coming 12 months. This compares to just 20% who are not confident their portfolios will increase in value.
Alpa Bhakta, CEO of Butterfield’s UK-based mortgage operations, said: “Navigating the turbulent economic landscape during the pandemic has been a challenge for investors. The option for many has been to pause on making major investment decisions or to adopt a more risk-averse financial strategy. Clearly, however, it has not stopped a significant number of investors from being hit financially by Covid-19.
“It is positive to note that the number of optimistic investors more than doubles those lacking confidence. With interest rates remaining at record lows and the UK government’s economic policies evolving all the time, it will be interesting to see how investors now adapt their strategies in the months to come and which assets or markets attract the most attention.”
