UK investors’ stock selling spree extends to nearly $14 billion, data shows

Net outflows from equities hit 3 billion pounds in November
Sixth consecutive month of net selling, second-worst month on record
UK investors resumed buying after government’s closely-watched budget

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) – British investors were net sellers of stocks for a record-extending sixth consecutive month in November, data from funds network Calastone showed on Thursday, as fears the government would cut tax advantages for investments in its closely-watched budget contributed to the cash-out.

Net outflows from equity funds in November were 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) – the second-worst month on record, topped only by the 3.6 billion pounds pulled in October. A total 10.4 billion pounds ($13.87 billion) have been withdrawn over six months, Calastone added.

Daily trading patterns showed that outflows ceased on November 26 – the day UK finance minister Rachel Reeves delivered her budget, which raised some taxes for savers and investors but did not go as far as some had feared – with inflows resuming over the last three trading days of the month.

Every other day of November bar one prior to the budget had seen net selling, the data showed.

“The political narrative has played havoc with UK savers in recent months. Never have we seen such consistent or large-scale selling before,” said Edward Glyn, head of global markets at Calastone.

“The sudden halt in equity-fund outflows that took place after the budget was delivered is clear evidence that many investors were selling their holdings as concerns rose,” he added.

Investors instead sought out perceived safe havens, driving a record 1.3 billion pounds into money market funds and 643 million pounds into fixed income funds in November, the data also showed.

Reporting by Iain Withers; Editing by Paul Simao