As Brits contemplate an inevitable economic downturn due to Covid-19, many have started to explore how best they can grow their personal finances to safeguard their future. One of the primary considerations to do so has been making investments.eToro.com has utilised Google AdWords to discover which traditional investments and alternative investments Brits are most frequently inquiring about online during Covid-19.
The company found that stocks and shares are the traditional investments that Brits are most curious about with an astonishing 110,000 online searches last month (May 2020). Compared to the same period last year (May 2019), there has been an 66 per cent increase in interest.
Bonds are the second most explored traditional investment opportunity, generating 40,500 online searches. The equivalent of 1,306 online searches each day of last month.
In third position is exchange-traded fund (ETF). Online searches for ETF in May 2020 amounted to 27,100, marking a 124 per cent increase from the same period last year.
Online enquiries into Gilts (4,400) has seen the biggest year-on-year increase, with online searches up by 132 per cent.
At the other end of the investment spectrum, it seems Brits are the least inquisitive when it comes to learning more about unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEIC), with each only garnering 2,400 online searches last month.
eToro found that stocks and shares seem to be the most sought-after traditional investment option in nine regions: East of England, London, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.
On the other hand, bonds are the most desired traditional investment opportunity in East Midlands and North East.
Property meanwhile, is the alternative investment that Brits are most looking into during the Covid-19 crisis, with 9,900 online searches last month (May 2020). This indicates that many individuals are anticipating a property market crash to occur soon.
Gold is another strong non-traditional investment that Brits are contemplating, with 4,400 online enquiries last month and a 128 per cent increase in year-on-year interest.
Fascinatingly, there is a significant amount of interest in niche investments such as whiskey (1,600) and rare coins (3,600) – with the latter experiencing a massive 177 per cent rise in year-on-year interest.
Other unorthodox investments which are gaining traction during Covid-19 include silver (880), art (880), diamonds (320) and Lego (260).
Property is the alternative investment that those living in North West, West Midlands, London and South West are most paying attention to.
Renowned for their whiskey, it is perhaps unsurprising that Scots are thinking about purchasing premium collectable whiskey in the hope it will yield favourable returns in the future. Similarly, alcohol in the form of fine wine is being touted as a serious investment opportunity by those in the South East and East Midlands.
