With poor cash rates, low bond yields and some equity markets hitting at all-time highs, investors are turning to property as their favourite investment, according to Dean Bowden, head of investment solutions at Skandia.
The second quarter net sales figures show the extent of the recent surge in property, with sales more than double in the last quarter, going from 13 per cent of net sales in the first three months of this year to 27.8 per cent of net sales in the second quarter.
It is now the top selling sector, marginally beating the multi-asset sector, which accounted for 27.5 per cent of net sales.
Mr Bowden said given the current position with both equity and bond markets, the low equity beta and increasingly stable yield from bricks and mortar is likely to be attractive to investors as a good alternative to hold within a portfolio, and could help reduce overall portfolio risk.
Despite the fall in bond yields, Mr Bowden said sales into the UK fixed interest sector have picked up.
He said this could be a sign that investors are not sure where to turn, and are looking for a balance of alternative investments.
Mr Bowden said: “We are sensing some uncertainty from investors regarding which way the markets will turn. Some sectors have clearly fallen out of favour, such as the Global Specialist. It is currently difficult to predict where investors will turn for long-term growth.
“The sudden move to property reflects this uncertainty, with investors looking for alternative solutions to diversify their portfolios.”
