16 July 2008: Bargain hunters seek value as FTSE falls

Despite the FTSE sliding again yesterday investors remain confident and are seeking out bargains according to Barclays Stockbrokers. Continued investor optimism was revealed as more than half of orders (53 per cent) executed by Barclays Stockbrokers clients last week were buys. Confidence continued yesterday (Tuesday) despite the negative headlines - 60.5% of clients executed buys compared to 39.5% selling.

Henk Potts, Equity Strategist, Barclays Stockbrokers said: “The credit crisis, decade high inflation rates and record breaking oil prices have generated an almost perfect storm of uncertainty over the past months.  

“However, history tells us that storms pass and those who can look through the dark clouds to see the cheap valuation horizon may well turn the current misery into money over the next few years. Thus it is reassuring to see signs that the bargain hunters are beginning to gather.”

Des Byrne, Head of Barclays Stockbrokers said: “Despite doom and gloom dominating the headlines over the past week it is encouraging that trading volumes continue to be high.  Our clients continue to seek buying opportunities despite the FTSE falling dramatically and there are gains to be had from falling market conditions.  We expect to see this trend continuing.” 

Barclays Stockbrokers buy / sell ratios:

Monday (14th) – 51% buys / 49% sells
Tuesday (15th) – 60.5% buys / 39.5% sells
Friday (11th) – 60.7% buys / 39.3% sells
Thursday (10th) – 54.4% buys / 45.6% sells
Wednesday (9th) – 46.5% buys / 53.5%sells
Tuesday (8th) – 50.2% buys / 49.8% sells
Monday (7th) – 54.5% buys / 45.5% sells

For further information contact:

Caroline Wells / Nicola Hankey
PR, Barclays Wealth
020 7114 7435 / 020 7114 9813 

OR

Katie Hayward / Katherine Hobby
Lansons Communications
020 7294 3631 / 020 7566 9704
katieh@lansons.com / katherineh@lansons.com