THE country's sporting success can have a direct impact on the investment decisions people make, research has found.

Insurance group Prudential said 17 per cent of independent financial advisors reported their clients were more willing to take on risk if the nation was performing well in big sporting events.

But one in ten advisors also said that when the country was performing badly, people become more risk-averse and looked for safer investments.

Hugh McKee, investment and savings director of Prudential UK, said: "The research shows that external factors such as personal well-being and mood can affect people's investment decisions.

"However, the investment market, like our sporting results, will always have ups and downs.

"It is important that consumers and their advisors do not let short- term emotions cloud important investment choices."