Investors find security in tradition with certificated shares

One fifth of people in the UK own certificated shares
• 45 per cent of investors have checked the value of their shares in the past week
• Average amount held is £13,485
• One in ten 18-24 year olds hold certificated shares

Despite the call for the dematerialisation of shares, new research by Barclays Stockbrokers* shows that many UK residents prefer to keep their investments where they can see them. One in five own shares in certificated format and these are not just locked away for a rainy day – a tenth of people surveyed had checked their investments that day. Investors are not holding small amounts in these shares; the average value of their shares is £13,485 with one in ten holding over £25,000 worth of certificated shares. Over half of investors (55 per cent) hold shares in certificated form because they like having their investment in a physical format.

Traditionally people received this form of investment through a will or inheritance, but almost two thirds (63 per cent) of the investors questioned have invested in this type of investment directly. Furthermore this is not just restricted to the older generation, with one in ten 18-24 year olds holding shares in this format. Investors see certificated shares as a method of continuous saving, with over a third of those surveyed (34 per cent) having held shares in this format for over ten years. In fact, almost three quarters of investors (71 per cent) hold certificated shares because they see them as a strong long term investment. A third of investors value them so much that they hold these documents within their safe.

Certificated shareholders also prove to be particularly savvy in checking the performance of their investments, 46 per cent check the daily share price within the newspaper and almost one in third (31 per cent) use the internet to track their investment.

Amy Nauiokas, MD and Head of Barclays Stockbrokers says:

“A number of our clients invest in certificated shares and value having their investments in a physical format. They also clearly see them as an investment worth holding for the long term. The research shows that certificated shares are not just for the passive investor, with almost half of investors having checked the price of their shares within the last week. While many people may perceive certificated shares to be a less modern form of investment, our research has proven that those people who invest in shares in this way take an active interest in how these companies are performing and track this on a regular basis.”