So has all this market volatility put off private investors? Not judging by a survey just out from shares website Advfn.
Apparently nearly 24% of those questioned said they had actually been more active in trading equities in the last half year, with 27.5% saying that their activity was unchanged.
Of the 49% who said they were less active in trading equities in the current market conditions exactly half had not moved into any other asset class or instrument. For the other 50%, spread betting was the most popular alternative destination for their money (39%) followed by commodities (26%), Forex (15%) and CFDs (13%).
And they seem an optimistic bunch too on the whole. Nearly half believed the FTSE 100 would end the year higher than its current level, and a further 13.5% though it would finish at the same level it is now.
"Although some investors are sitting on the sidelines watching and waiting to re-enter the market, many more have simply adapted how they trade. It is also apparent that many find that the volatility actually creates opportunities in their trading," said Clem Chambers, the website's chief executive.
