Equities remain in favour with investors as retail sales hit £720m

Equities have remained a popular pick among investors with new data revealing it topped the sales charts for the third month in a row.

In particular, equity income has continued to enjoy a strong run, and according to figures from the Investment Management Association (IMA) the sector has been a best-seller since September 2008.

The IMA, which publishes its data on retail sales on a month by month basis, said fixed income sales continued to fall during November and reached their lowest level in four years.  Fixed income attracted £43 million in net retail sales throughout the month, versus the £720 million pulled in by the equity sector.

'Net retail sales were strong again in November with equity funds the strongest sellers for the third month in a row,' said the IMA's chief executive Daniel Godfrey, as he commented on the trade body's latest analysis.

This is partly due to investors preferring equity income over fixed income for income generation,' Godfrey (pictured) added.