The Investment Trends 2013 Second-Half Australian Online Broking Report is based on a survey of 13,096 investors conducted between 6 November and 22 December 2013.
The report revealed the number of online share investors has increased by 10 per cent, from 530,000 in the first half of 2013 to 585,000 in the second half.
This is the first increase seen in investor numbers since December 2011.
Average return expectations were also on a high, at seven per cent, but still remain below the pre-GFC period average of 10 per cent.
According to the report, the Australian market generated the second highest rate of adoption of online share trading in relation to the adult population, at 3.4 per cent, behind Singapore at 5.2 per cent.
The report also found increased trading frequency and relatively low return expectations have resulted in greater demand for low-cost brokers.
CMC Markets stockbroking increased its primary market share by three percentage points to six per cent, while nabtrade and Westpac also increased their share by three percentage points to eight per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
CommSec, however, declined by seven percentage points to 44 per cent.
Client satisfaction remains high, with 72 per cent of current online investors rating their online broker as good or very good.
Only three per cent gave a poor rating.
Bell Direct was the top broker in terms of overall satisfaction.
