Out of gas: 61% of DIY investors fear portfolios will not recover after Middle East conflict

Six in ten (61%) self-directed investors are concerned about their investments not recovering following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to new research from Charles Stanley Direct, part of Raymond James Wealth Management

Charles Stanley Direct has looked into how concerned self-directed investors are – dubbed DIY investors, in that they manage their own portfolio – about the recent conflict in the Middle East and what it means for their investment portfolios, attitude to risk, and the wider risks or opportunities it presents.

Looking at those who are concerned that their investments won’t recover, this is particularly true for female investors, with 68% expressing this concern compared to 55% of male investors.

Other areas of concern DIY investors have when thinking about the conflict in the Middle East include:

• 70% are concerned about the geopolitical risks that may unfold
  • Of this, 29% are very concerned, and 41% are somewhat concerned
• 59% are concerned about knowing what level of risk they should be taking with their investments
  • Of this, 19% are very concerned, while 40% are somewhat concerned
• 59% are concerned about knowing whether they should be holding their nerve with the investments they have
• 57% are concerned about missing the investment opportunities that the conflict in the Middle East presents
  • The research also looked at where investors are looking to increase or decrease their investment exposure as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. Energy (43%), technology (43%), and AI (42%), come out as top assets where investors are looking to increase exposure.
• Just over half (51%) of investors are worried about not having the right advice in place, supporting them in their investment decisions
• 49% are worried about knowing how to change their investment portfolio
• 58% of DIY investors are concerned there may be delays to further interest rate cuts from the Bank of England

Rob Morgan, Chief Investment Analyst at Charles Stanley Direct, part of Raymond James Wealth Management, comments: “Uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East has caused many reasons for concern, and for investors there can be worries around their portfolio. Knowing what to do when geopolitical crises arise can be difficult, particularly when markets are moving quickly. Oil shocks in particular can be exceptionally challenging for markets. Almost every business relies on energy in some way, so when oil and gas prices rise, they push up the cost of goods and services across the whole economy, dampening activity and eating into corporate profits. The key variable is duration. If disruption is short-lived, then the impact on growth and markets will likely fade. A drawn‑out conflict could lead to something closer to an energy shock, with higher inflation, weaker growth and more financial turbulence.

“It’s crucial to remember though, that investing is for the long-term, and portfolio decisions should be made with a diversified approach. The best course of action during market volatility is usually to sit tight. Market timing – especially during geopolitical crises – is notoriously difficult. Unless your portfolio is heavily concentrated in a single sector or region, the ups and downs should be manageable. For those who are concerned though, seeking advice can help provide peace of mind, and support you with your investment decisions to ensure they are suitable for you and your circumstances.”

Methodology:

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1000 DIY Investors in the UK (’Self-Directed’), defined as; investors who actively choose their own investments (stocks, shares, crypto etc), making their own asset allocation decisions, excluding; ‘passive investors’ who just invest in managed ‘index funds’/ETFs who don’t select their own individual stock and instead invest a diversified portfolio that is managed by someone else. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

The data was collected between 05.03.2026 – 09.03.2026.