Investors bullish on FTSE in 2010

Despite ongoing economic turbulence and market volatility almost half of investors (44%) are bullish in their outlook for 2010, according to research.

A poll of Barclay's stockbrokers' investors reveals half believe the recent FTSE rally will continue, compared to a third (34%) of investors in November 2009. This represents an increase of 29% in just two months.

A fifth of respondents (22%) are bearish in outlook, and don't expect significant market recovery in 2010. This contrasts with the situation two months ago when 27% maintained a bearish position.

However, the economic uncertainty means a third of those surveyed (34%) are still undecided in their outlook.

Barbara-Ann King, head of investments at Barclays Stockbrokers, says: "At the turn of the New Year, it was almost ten years ago to the day that the FTSE 100 was at a high of 6,930 points.

"Its decade low was 3,287 points in March 2003, a threshold we came close to revisiting at the start of last year. Investors still face going into 2010, unprecedented challenges but many are clearly using this as a chance to take advantage of opportunities."