2025
9
UK Consumers and Investing: 2025
2026-01-11T10:54:46+00:00
REP9419E0C2_D00D_4761_B230_140A7FA6D651
2995
191096
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Report
en_GB
Despite most investors describing themselves as confident and diligent, market volatility is still cutting through. Even seasoned investors are finding that swings in the market and a constant stream of…
UK
Savings and Investments
simple

UK Consumers and Investing: 2025

"The investment market is in a strong position. With government-driven reforms on the horizon and non-investors showing real intent to start investing, providers need to make the most of the emerging opportunities ahead."

Charlie Landsborough, Financial Services Analyst

Charlie Landsborough, Financial Services Analyst

Despite most investors describing themselves as confident and diligent, market volatility is still cutting through. Even seasoned investors are finding that swings in the market and a constant stream of updates can chip away at their sense of control. The emotional side of investing is impossible to ignore, with many looking for more support to help them keep their nerve when conditions are unsettled.

Regulatory reforms are set to reshape the investment landscape. The Leeds Reforms, new ISA rules and the FCA’s latest measures all aim to nudge more savers into the market and make investing more accessible. By lowering barriers and encouraging clearer, more engaging communication, these changes hope to shift cultural attitudes towards investing and broaden participation.

Non-investors are signalling real intent to get started, and even modest conversion would move the dial for market growth. However, providers can’t rely on regulatory changes alone to drive this shift. Many consumers already recognise the benefits of investing but are held back by the misconception that it requires large or specialist knowledge. To overcome these barriers, providers need to position investing as an easy and natural part of everyday financial routines, helping to make the process feel less intimidating and more approachable.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Market dynamics and the key macroeconomic factors impacting the investment market
  • Ownership of investment products, including the methods of arranging or buying them
  • Market share of the D2C investment market, including consumer experience and satisfaction with investment providers
  • Attitudes towards investing, including the impact of market volatility and the current economic climate
  • Future interest in investing among non-investors, including barriers to adoption and future opportunities
  • Sources of investment information, including the impact of social media and the effect of information overload
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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for Consumers and Investing
    • Opportunities
    • Gamification can make investing feel approachable
    • Providers must help investors cut through the noise
    • Helping investors manage emotions must become a key priority
  2. THE MARKET

    • Snapshot – market size and forecast
    • Consumers and the economic outlook
    • Q2 growth outpaces expectations, but challenges remain
    • Investors remain cautiously optimistic amid economic uncertainty
    • Graph 1: consumer financial confidence index, 2018-2025
    • Government and industry unite to boost investment participation
    • Gross retail fund sales forecast to maintain consistent growth
    • Graph 2: [no title]
    • The outlook for the investment market remains strong
    • Fund platforms remain the gateway for UK investors
    • Graph 3: gross retail sales, by channel, 2021-24
    • Passive funds now account for over a third of UK assets
    • Competition remains fierce in the platform space
    • Graph 4: investment platforms/apps or digital wealth manager/guidance services used in last two years, 2025
    • Self-directed investing continues to lead the way
    • Graph 5: method of arranging or buying investments, 2025
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Approach to investing
    • Rise of funds signals growing appetite for hands-off investing
    • ETFs popularity continues to grow as investors seek simplicity and value
    • Crypto tops the list for young investors
    • Investors are confident, but most still seek a guiding hand
    • Graph 6: confidence in ability to make investment decisions independently, 2025
    • Risk-taking remains rare as investors favour stability
    • Blend desire for independence with risk-protection through hybrid solutions
    • Building investor resilience must be a key priority
    • Sources of investment information
    • Investors cast a wide net for information
    • Information overload leaves investors seeking clarity
    • Social media is the top source of investment advice for young investors
    • Credible voices needed as social media dominates investment guidance
    • Investment platform satisfaction
    • High satisfaction sets a tough bar for differentiation
    • Providers need to go beyond purely transactional relationship to meet investor desire for ongoing partnership
    • High switching intent reinforces the need to build deeper engagement
    • Future interest in investing
    • Strong pipeline of future investors signals market growth ahead
    • Instilling confidence and removing barriers is key to turning investment interest into action
    • Challenge the myths holding savers back from investing
    • Tailor investment tools to support younger adults’ financial needs and leverage strong investment intent
  4. INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • IG announces acquisition of Freetrade
    • Platforms position themselves as partners, not just portals
    • Investment advertising spend edges upwards
    • Graph 7: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on investments, 2020/21 – 2024/25
    • Brands maintain strong advertising presence to compete for share
    • Graph 8: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising on investments, by advertiser, 2024/25
    • interactive investor sets out to challenge percentage-based pricing
  5. APPENDIX

    • Market definition
    • The market
    • Forecast methodology
    • Forecast methodology – fan chart
    • Market forecast and prediction intervals
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology
    • Generation groups
    • Other data source methodologies
    • Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
    • Abbreviations

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