Property still the most popular investment
The stock market hit a five-year high this week, but given the choice Britons would still rather invest in property.
The latest results from Standard Life's savings and investment index show buy-to-let property has jumped 23 per cent in popularity in the last three months - making it the second most popular savings medium after consumers' own homes.
"The UK saver prefers to invest in bricks and mortar," said Standard Life chief executive Trevor Matthews.
But while buying houses becomes more popular, the same cannot be said of some other investments.
Some 30 per cent of Britons say they are saving less than they were at the same time last year.
And of those that are saving regularly, just 46 per cent are saving for their retirement while many are saving for holidays (49 per cent) and home improvements (33 per cent).
The popularity of stocks and shares is also falling, Standard life reveals, with just two per cent of Britons saying this was their favoured investment vehicle.
By contrast National Savings and Premium Bonds and cash/basic savings accounts are more popular.
There was little movement in the popularity of other forms of investment.
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