A recent poll conducted by Barclays Financial Planning showed investors are missing a trick when it comes to recognising the full potential offered by the rapid expansion in the Indian market. The survey of 400 investors revealed that only one fifth (21 percent) correctly identified India as the most repeatedly top performing global market over the last decade.

India's is the only stock market to out-perform the other global indices in three out of the last ten years. China, Europe (excluding UK) and the Pacific Rim (excluding Japan) all achieved the status of top performing region in two years during this same period. 

The survey also found that a quarter of those questioned were convinced the UK held the title as top performing global market over the last decade; the reality being that the UK's most successful year over this period was back in 2000 when it was the second best performing region.

Commercial Director for Barclays Financial Planning, Stephen Ingledew says: "Despite record growth in the Indian economy, and substantial development in the area in terms of increased infrastructure, many investors are still not aware of the potential India offers as an investment opportunity.

"Recent political tensions and rising inflation rates could be some of the factors that prohibit investors from realising the true potential of this vast nation, but as the world's second most populated country, all the signs are this powerhouse will continue to prosper and is not a growth area investors can afford to overlook."

The research does however show investors are plugged in to other investment trends as almost two thirds (59 percent) of those investors who attended knew China was the fastest growing stock market in the world over the last 12 months.

And again over half (51 per cent) were aware emerging markets were the top performing unit trust fund sector over the last three months. The figures demonstrate a sound awareness of some potential investment areas, but indicate there is still room for broadening investment horizons.