One in five retail investors have switched money from equities to cash in response to stock market volatility, new research shows.

Investec Bank said one in 10 investors has moved more than £1,000 into cash already in 2025.

The company’s research suggested that 21% of investors have already switched money from equities to cash so far this year while another 21% plan to do so in the next three months.

• New: Get a chance to win a £50 M&S voucher in our annual survey prize draw - plus raise money for charity too! Find out more. •  

Investors have become nervous as global stock markets have experienced serious shifts this year due to rising geopolitical tensions, international trade policies and general economic uncertainty, Investec pointed out.

While the FTSE 100 has climbed around 7% over the year to date, other global indices have shown much more volatility. Most other have been negative for much of the year only climbing back into the black in recent days as the confusion caused by US President Trump's tariffs receded.

The S&P 500 is up just 2.8% since the start of 2025, while the Nasdaq Composite has climbed around 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up slightly, 0.3%, as is the Nikkei 225, up 0.5%.

Almost one in 10 investors (9%) have moved more than £1,000 from stocks and shares into cash because of the market turmoil, the research found.

Slightly more men than women shifted some of their wealth from equities to cash in 2025 so far - 24% and 18% respectively.

David Hunt, head of savings, Investec Bank, said: “With global stock markets having a turbulent 2025, many investors are moving their money to safer cash accounts providing more predictable returns.

“The rush to cash shows no signs of stopping. With investment returns so unpredictable, our research shows that large numbers of investors will continue to seek out trusted, reliable places to store and grow their hard-earned wealth.”

• Investec Bank commissioned Viewsbank to survey 769 people with savings accounts between 21 May and 23 May. The sample represented the demographic profile of the UK.