In Focus: Managing the cost of living  

Fund inflows down as investors battle inflation and cost of living

Fund inflows down as investors battle inflation and cost of living
Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association

Data from the Investment Association shows UK investors withdrew £1.4bn in September 2023 - the largest outflow so far this year - as inflows into funds fell for the second quarter in a row.

The figures showed the highest outflows on record in responsible investments, with a huge £544mn of withdrawals. 

Overall, the third quarter of 2023 closed with £1.2bn in net inflows. 

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This compared to £3.9bn in net inflows in the first quarter of this year, with quarter two dropping to £2.2bn.   

The trade body found the best selling sector in September 2023 was UK gilts with net retail sales of £237mn followed by corporate bonds which saw sales of £209mn. 

Chris Cummings, chief executive of the Investment Association, said: “Investors continue to be squeezed by inflationary pressures and the cost of living, as net inflows into funds experience their second quarter of decline.

"Despite £1.2bn invested in funds between July 1 and September 30, this is down on the first quarter of the year, which saw almost £4bn invested.

"UK Gilts continue to be a favourite throughout the uncertainty and was the best-selling sector in September, and an increased inflow into Mixed Asset funds was a bright spot in a challenging month.” 

The previous batch of data from August showed UK savers put £354mn in the typically quiet month, largely driven by inflows into tracker funds.  

tara.o'connor@ft.com

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