Investors remain downbeat on UK despite overall confidence improving

Overall confidence still lags long-term average

Investor sentiment toward the UK remains low, amid pressure on incomes, falling growth and an economic climate not "conducive to optimism", according to Hargreaves Lansdown's Investor Confidence Index for August.

This month's index saw the UK receive the lowest cofidence score of any regional stockmarket at 56.8%, even though the overall index climbed 7 points to 76 during the month.   Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Part of the problem is the economic climate in the UK is not currently conducive to optimism, with growth falling and consumer incomes under pressure. UK recession 'will be avoided' after record monthly PMI spike "Ten years on from the start of the financial crisis, investors are also more guarded than they were about letting high spirits get the ...