The secret deals of online traders

A survey of over 1,000 online investors by Alliance Trust reveals almost half (48%) invest while at work, and 14% pretend to work while doing so.

Of those online share dealers who've enjoyed a substantial windfall from their trading, the survey found that 8% have hidden a big win from their other half, while 13% of 40-somethings admit to literally 'keeping it to themselves'. Men are also the most likely to keep the truth from their partners.

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The majority of traders like to invest privately, with 58% saying they go to their study to trade online alone. And nearly two thirds of online investors prefer to rely solely on their own judgement and decisions when buying and selling investments.

Meanwhile, only one in five will ask their partner for advice on trading decisions, and only 12% will take professional advice. Women are twice as likely to seek help from their partners as men (33% versus 14%)

Claudia Philips, Managing Director of Investment Dealing at Alliance Trust, comments: "Managing your investment portfolios online can be fun, and rewarding, as long as you're not jeopardising your day job in the process.

"Nearly half of the online share dealers we surveyed keep on top of their portfolios in the office, but only one in seven do so under the cover of working."

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Philips adds that investors like to follow their instincts and for the majority this is a fairly solitary pursuit, although some prefer to take professional advice along the way.

Trading online is an ideal way for self-directed investors to manage their portfolios, taking advantage of increasingly user-friendly research and support services whilst steering clear of unwanted outside interference in their decision-making process.

14 August 2007 © Moneyextra.com

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