Commodities are one of investors’ top picks for 2015, along with developed market equities, according to an ETF Securities conducted a poll at their Annual Investment Conference. 

The poll also indicated that investors use exchange-traded products for a number of different strategies, although tactical approaches proved to be the preferred method.

“The majority of our investors are more bullish and have more confidence about the outlook for economic growth this year, reflecting the heightened appetite for developed equities. In light of continued volatility due to macroeconomic uncertainty, portfolio diversification remains firmly on investors’ agendas and commodity allocations are a key part of that strategy,” said Bernhard Wenger, Head of European Distribution at ETF Securities commented: 

Polled attendees indicated that commodities remained a favoured asset class in 2015 with nearly 40% of London based investors believing that precious metals will be the best performing sector. Italian and Swiss investors favoured agriculture with 47% and 30% of the votes, respectively. 

Overall, 48% of investors predict that the price of gold will stabilise between $1250 and $1400 in 2015. This asset has traditionally been used for defensive purposes, particularly in light of heightened concerns about European stagnation and deflation, and fears about currency depreciation. 

The downside for gold also appears limited, with only 6% of investors believing that the price will fall below $1000 in 2015. 

ETF Securities’ oil ETPs received the largest inflows in Q1 totalling $1.05bn as investors took advantage of the low prices to increase exposure. According to the poll investors believe that overproduction will be the main factor affecting the oil price in 2015.

The results were compiled from a poll of 446 investment professionals conducted during the ETF Securities Annual Investment conferences which took place in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Milan and Zurich during January and February. The conferences focused on the broad macroeconomic outlook, commodities and foreign exchange.