Although the larger execution-only stockbroking groups still have a firm lock on the UK market, online start-ups seem to have taken a small bite out of their market share, according to a new survey conducted by Compeer, a provider of research and benchmarking services.

Compeer reached its conclusions after canvassing 82 members of the Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers. However, the fledgling and smaller companies should not get too cocky, because if a shake-out occurs, they could easily become parts of their bigger brethren.