A survey of 1,000 UK investors suggests the majority (58%) believe a recovery from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic will take “years.”

Nearly half of investors (49%) reported that the value of their investments had fallen since March. 

Nearly one in five saw their investments drop in value by between 21% and 30% and 1 in 10 suffered a drop of at least 41%.

For those whose investments have been negatively impacted their average loss was 19%.

Asked how they think their portfolios will perform in the future as a result of the pandemic, 30% think that their investments will take at least five years to get back to their pre-pandemic values, and 9% think it will take at least ten years. Almost one in 10 (8%) think that their investments will never recover. 

The research was carried out for flat-fee adviser Bancroft Wealth and found widespread pessimism about the economy.

Despite the losses most investors surveyed have done little to influence their future portfolio returns or financial situation or been in touch with an adviser.

According to the survey, 44% of investors expect a deeper and longer recession than the 2008 financial crash and 61% believe a second wave of Coronavirus will result in a stock market fall. 

While there are “pockets of cautious optimism” investors remain overwhelmingly downbeat.

The survey found: 

• 58% don’t believe any recovery will happen for a ‘number of years’ although 21% believe that the market will recover within a year
• 33% think that the UK economy will be worse affected than other countries
• 19% believe that the UK will fare better than others

Keir Ashman, pensions and investments specialist at Bancroft Wealth, said: “It’s…clear from our survey that investors have experienced a great deal of turmoil with their personal wealth in recent months, leaving many unsure what to think, how to feel or what to do. All too often this has led to inaction, whereas there are actually steps that can, and should, be taken.” 

He said more investors should see an adviser and avoid waiting for an annual meeting.

Bancroft Wealth charges a £500 per year flat fee for its wealth management service. 

• The survey of 1,000 UK adults with more than £50,000 in investments was carried out in the first half of June by OnePoll.