Buying stocks online is taking off in Europe. According to Forrester Research, online brokerage accounts are expected to rise from 1.3 million in 2000 to 14 million in 2004. At present, it is estimated that only 18 per cent of Europeans hold stocks compared to 40 per cent of US citizens.

Germany has the most active online trading market in Europe with 550,000 accounts. Forrester predicts a rise to 3.5 million German accounts by 2004.