16 February 

Asset Match has surveyed 2,000 UK adults, revealing the widespread feelings of discontent being experienced by the nation’s community of private company shareholders. It found: 

• 10% of UK shareholders said they have never been given the opportunity to discuss options regarding their shares since making their original investment
• A further 9% feel locked-in due to an inability to sell or trade the shares they own in a private company – equating to over 600,000 trapped and frustrated investors
• Post-Brexit sentiment towards stocks and shares is resoundingly positive – 23% of UK investors said they intend to invest in stocks and shares in 2017, trumping property (11%), bonds (7%) and commodities (7%)
• 27% of respondents – the equivalent of 1.8 million shareholders across the UK – do not know the current value of the shares they own
• More than a million shareholders (16%) would like to invest in other high-growth businesses but cannot because of an inability to sell their existing shares