New research reveals the number of investors who bought their last ISA online via a fund supermarket or broker has increased by 37% in the last year to more than one in two (51%). In contrast those buying an ISA from a bank has fallen from four in ten (42%) to just three in ten (31%). The research was carried out by online stockbroker and fund supermarket Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) who will be accepting applications from investors seeking to take up their ISA allowance right up until midnight on Tuesday 5 April.

Mike McCudden, Head of Derivatives at Interactive Investor, said:
“Traders are taking refuge from the continuing catastrophe in Japan. As the markets try to rationalise the short to medium term impact the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami will have on global markets, Interactive Investor has seen its spread betting clients make some classic plays amidst the panic selling.

New research from online stockbroker and fund supermarket Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) reveals that investors are increasingly looking for ways to boost their income and many are choosing the route of self-select ISAs. According to the survey, the number of people only taking out a self select ISA has gone up by over half so far this tax year, to almost one in three (31%) of all investors, with a further 44% investing in funds ISAs or a mix (Cash and Self-Select). In addition, the number of people only taking out a cash ISA this year has dropped from 37% to 25%.

New research from online stockbroker and fund supermarket Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) shows that ISA investors are looking further afield in their pursuit of high income growth. Figures reveal that nearly a quarter (24%) of investors plan to invest in new emerging markets such as Africa and Vietnam this year, a 52% increase on 2010. The research also reveals that four in ten investors (41%) expect to invest in established emerging markets in 2011 and 38% plan to invest in natural resources and commodities.

New research from online stockbroker and fund supermarket Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) shows that ISA investors are most haunted by the spectre of inflation, with over half of investors (53%) saying that inflation is the single biggest threat to their wealth over the next 12 months. The findings come as inflation reached twice the Bank of England’s target rate this week, with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) now at 4%.

Online stockbroker and fund supermarket Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) has extended its £100 cashback on all ISA transfers onto its platform until the end of January. Interactive Investor has seen a steep rise in the number of ISA transfers onto its trading platform during December following the success of this promotion. The cashback offer also applies to all fund and share trading account transfers.

The iiTV app, launched on 29 September alongside the new online TV channel (www.iii.co.uk/tv), has already been downloaded more than 4,000 times, with over 10,000 video views, and is ranked in the top ten financial iphone / ipad app downloads.

A brand new online finance TV channel aimed at private investors was launched at a star studded bash at the Ivy in London last night. Guests included actress Cherie Lunghi, Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan and ex-Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes. The new service, iiTV (www.iii.co.uk/tv), is created by the UK’s leading investment website Interactive Investor and comes from the group which also publishes leading personal finance magazines Moneywise and Money Observer. The new channel is being launched in response to increased online demand for financial news, information and entertainment and to help viewers navigate the extensive archive of video content on the site.

Personal finance website Interactive Investor has launched a new financial advice service, interactive financial adviser (www.ifa.net), in partnership with Cambridgeshire based IFA firm Lee Associates. The service uses the internet to make a range of educational information and video content available to site visitors and encourages users to seek advice for complex financial issues where they may not feel confident, or have the time to commit to make a decision on their own.

Private investors have reacted to today’s interim results from Lloyds Banking Group by largely cashing in their stocks. Trading among private investors on the Interactive Investor (www.iii.co.uk) platform is running at 2:1 sales to buys during today (Wednesday 4 August).