Three in ten investors pile more into portfolios than usual in Q1
Three in ten UK investors generally contributed more to their portfolios than they usually do in the first quarter of a year in 2026, with half reporting positive returns, according to new research.
Looking ahead, a further 30 per cent plan to increase the amount they invest in the next three months.
The inaugural Scottish Widows Investment Pulse surveyed more than 2,000 non-advised UK investors on their level of investment confidence, expectations for the future, motivations, and investment plans.
In the first three months of 2026, investors overall contributed an average of £2,413 to their portfolios, while 19 per cent reduced their investments.#
While a fifth said they made little or no changes to their portfolios in Q1, other investors chose to:
1. Move some investments into cash (15 per cent).u Invest more in individual shares (14 per cent).
2. Invest more in cryptocurrency (13 per cent).
3. Invest more in gold (11 per cent).
Personal circumstances had a greater impact on people’s shift in investments, compared to economic and geopolitical influences. For example, 71 per cent said cost-of-living/household expenses influenced their investment changes in the past three months.
This quarter, bullish investors plan to invest an average of £2,920. Just 14 per cent say they plan to reduce the amount they invest. More than four in ten expect their investments to perform well in Q2, rising to 54 per cent on performance expectations for 2026.
Leading factors driving decisions include a desire to build long-term wealth (44 per cent) and a feeling that it is a “good time to invest” (29 per cent).
Investments are generally spread evenly across different holdings (20 per cent) with a clear preference for individual shares (19 per cent), and UK-held investments (62 per cent). The main approach to investing is via regular, one-off contributions (26 per cent), with a fifth opting for “set-and-forget” automation.
Achieving longer-term goals, such as growing wealth (43 per cent) and boosting retirement savings (42 per cent), are the main reasons people choose to invest. Other motivations include building an emergency fund (28 per cent) or saving for a holiday (17 per cent).
Manuel Pardavila-Gonzalez of Scottish Widows, says: “Investors demonstrated confidence in the first quarter of 2026 – increasing their investments even with geopolitical headwinds threatening international markets and potential returns
.“More bullish investors are driven by their own financial motivations, not just global shocks – looking to increase the amount they invest to grow their wealth, support retirement savings or mitigate the cost of living.”--
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.