Research by Barclays Stockbrokers reveals that investors are optimistic about UK equity performance in 2013. Overall, 62 per cent of those who responded to the online poll believe the FTSE 100 will finish 2013 higher than at the end of 2012. Almost half of investors (48 per cent) think that the index will end the year at between 6,001 and 6,500; 14 per cent believe it will close above 6,500. (The FTSE 100 closed at 5,898 on 31 December 2012.)

“Our clients have expressed a positive view on how the FTSE 100 Index will perform this year and received an early boost… as the FTSE pushed through the 6,000 barrier for the first time since July 2011,” Paul Inkster, head of product at Barclays Stockbrokers, said in a statement.

When asked which sector they believe will provide the best investment opportunities throughout the coming year, 24 per cent chose the financial sector. Mining and oil and gas took second and third place, with 20 per cent and 16 per cent of the vote respectively. The least popular sectors were communications and media, each attracting just 2 per cent of votes.

Barclays Stockbrokers polled over 1,000 clients between 20 December 2012 and 2 January 2013.