Content Manager, Saxo Bank Group
Summary: Prudent and profitable investing is contingent upon many factors, but when it comes to ISAs three things must always be considered - duration, risk appetite and inflation.
According to Retireready from Aegon, there are three main factors to consider when deciding between a cash ISA and a stocks and shares ISA: the length of time you’ll be saving/investing, your appetite for risk, and the impact of inflation. We’ll look at these factors in more detail below and show you why an investment ISA could be a better bet for your savings.
If you’re saving for the long term, then stocks and shares are likely to generate a higher rate of return than cash. In fact, if you hold your investments for at least 18 years, research shows that stocks and shares will outperform cash 99% of the time.1
Other research has revealed that a £1,000 investment in an average cash ISA at the start of the 1999/2000 tax year could’ve been worth £1,115 by the end of 2017/18, equating to an annual return of just 0.6%.2
Conversely, £1,000 invested in a stocks and shares ISA could have been worth £1,667 (based on the MSCI World Total Return index), which represents an annual return of 2.9%.2 That is an increase of £552 or 50% compared to the cash ISA.
When you consider during that period we experienced two stock market crashes, this serves to highlight the relative stability of long-term performance. Just make sure the amount you invest is suitable for your risk tolerance – a financial adviser can help guide you if you’re unsure.
And remember, past performance is not an indication of future performance.
Savers have traditionally preferred cash ISAs as they offer a guaranteed return. Each comes with a payable interest rate, which, although variable, tends to deliver slow and steady growth.
However, with UK interest rates consistently low and the prevailing level of inflation hovering around the 1% mark, the buying power of your cash savings is actually eroding in real terms every year. While cash continues to not keep pace with inflation, keeping your money in cash isn’t the risk-free option people often think it is, and it’s not a fantasy to expect interest rates to remain below inflation for the foreseeable future.
While it’s impossible to predict how the stock market will perform, it’s important to think about how you can best utilise your ISA allowance. A stocks and shares ISA may be a slightly riskier proposition, but if you’re looking to maximise your returns long term, it could be a better alternative to cash.
Stocks and shares might be the headline names within most investment ISAs, but they are far from your only option. Many providers enable you to create a diverse investment portfolio across equities, ETFs, bonds and investment trusts, as well as cash.
Multi-asset investing not only enables you to spread your risk across various holdings, but it has also outperformed cash every year since 20093. And when these assets are held within the ISA wrapper, they are exempt from capital gains tax, and tax on further interest or dividend income received.
It’s vital your investments are suitable for your personal circumstances and reflect the level of risk you’re comfortable with. The higher the risk profile of your investments, the more likely they are to experience significant fluctuations in value. Carefully selecting a diversified portfolio will help spread risk and achieve your personal aims. And if you’re not confident in choosing your own investments, a financial adviser can help identify your risk appetite and investments aligned with this.
Time horizon is a key consideration when choosing which ISA to invest in. Saving for retirement, for example, might mean that you’re more at ease navigating the short-term ups and downs of the stock market, knowing that your portfolio has adequate time to recover. In turn, this will have a direct impact on the amount of risk you’re willing to take on.
Perhaps it’s time to ask yourself whether you’re overly reliant on your cash ISA for your long-term savings – you could be losing money in real terms – and whether an investment ISA is a better solution.
1Source: Barclays Equity Gilt Study March 2016, Figure 8 p61.
2Source: Schroders - Cash ISA vs stock market ISA: which has returned the most? Mar 2019
3Source: Royal London, The Curse of Long Term Cash , as of January 2017
2024: The wasted year
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.
Markets are driven by election optimism, overshadowing growing debt and liquidity concerns. The 2024 elections loom large, but economic fundamentals and debt issues warrant cautious investment.
As US economic slowdown hints at a shift away from exceptionalism, USD faces downside with looming Fed cuts. AUD and NZD set to outperform as their rate cuts lag. JPY gains on carry unwind bets and BOJ pivot.
Amid AI and obesity drug excitement, equities see varied prospects: neutral on overvalued US stocks, negative on Japan due to JPY risks, positive on Europe. European defence stocks gain appeal.
With the economic slowdown, quality assets will gain favour, especially sovereign bonds up to 5 years. Central banks' potential rate cuts in Q2 suggest extending duration, despite policy and inflation concerns.
Commodities poised for rebound. The "Year of the Metal" boosts gold and silver, copper awaits rate cuts. Grains may recover, natural gas stabilises. Gold targets $2,300-$2,500/oz, copper's breakout could signal growth.
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