55% of invests saw portfolios fall in first half of year

Over the second half of the year, 32% of investors expect the FTSE to rise, just above the 29% who are expecting a fall. The remaining 39% believe that the FTSE will remain at its current level between now and the end of 2012. Comparatively, just 16% think that the FTSE will be lower than today's levels in one year's time.

Two thirds of investors also informed Halifax Share Dealing that they'd adapted their investment strategy in light of the situation in the Eurozone. Although 40% of investors say that they've taken this opportunity to purchase more shares, compared to the 9% who have sold more, 69% say that the situation has encouraged them to hold on to their shares to see what happens.

Damian Stansfield, Managing Director, Halifax Share Dealing comments:

"Looking back on the first half of the year, it appears that few investors have made decent returns on their portfolios. That said, it's encouraging to see that although they believe the shorter term prospects may be mixed, the majority expect an uplift towards the end of the year and into 2013. It's very interesting to see that so many have seen the Eurozone situation as an opportunity to increase their holdings."

Investments in the energy and financial services sectors continue to dominate investor portfolios according to June's survey.

Although a third of investors still have holdings in technology, twice as many are putting their money in energy and banking. However, investors showed that they have different views for the prospects of these sectors, with a third of those with financial services shares expecting to invest further within the next six months.