As the tax year draws to a close, investors are bullish on the outlook for investing in cash, according to a survey by UK-based Paxton Private Finance.

The survey reveals that investors are most confident about investing in cash (39 per cent), while residential property (31 per cent) and their private pension (31 per cent) follow closely behind as the most trusted areas for investment.

Over 1,600 people across the UK responded to an online survey conducted by Wriglesworth Research in January 2013.

In contrast, commodities (5 per cent), equities (4 per cent), and fixed income bonds (4 per cent) are favoured by fewer investors, the firm said in a statement.

“With the current economic uncertainty, consumers are looking for assets that they feel they can trust - be it due to long-term performance or the ability to physically see what they are investing in.  As we head towards the end of the tax year, this suggests that we will see an increase in interest from SIPP and ISA investors in funds with these attributes,” said Nick McLean, partner at Paxton Private Finance.

Respondents said that when it came to investment choices, investing in something they could “physically touch” (28 per cent) was their main preference, while long-term performance (20 per cent) was their second preference. Meanwhile, 14 per cent prefer to invest in something that they understand, and 12 per cent are looking for a multi-purpose asset.

For 2013, investors said they intend to invest in cash (46 per cent) and residential property (23 per cent), while 12 per cent said they would put money into equities.