With only a few weeks to go before the end of the tax year, time is running out to maximise the tax benefits of your ISA allowance before the deadline on 5th April 2017, otherwise it will be lost forever. This has already been another very busy ISA season, and whilst Cash ISA savings rates continue at their historical lows, it is perhaps not surprising that the trend in the increased use of the Stocks & Shares ISA that has taken place over the last couple of years, is still continuing. So to help you know where our other investors are putting their money this ISA season, we bring you our most popular Investment ISAs.
Our Top 5 Selections
Below we have listed some of our most popular Investment ISA plans, featuring both income and growth investments. With income continuing to play a critical role for many investors, the attraction of having tax free income is understandable. Whilst for investors looking for growth, the popularity of defensive investments is reflected in our selections, as the level of the stock market in recent years has led more and more investors to search for opportunities that offer investment level returns even if the market goes down slightly.
Your ISA allowance
The ISA allowance for the current tax year (2016/17) is £15,240, whilst all of the plans detailed below accept Cash ISA and Stocks & Shares ISA transfers. All of the plans also offer a Double ISA option, whereby you can invest the current tax year ISA allowance as well as next tax year’s ISA allowance (2017/18 ISA allowance is £20,000) via one application form – thereby offering the opportunity to invest up to £35,240 into new ISAs. Please check the individual plan for further details and for any application deadlines that apply.
Potential 10.65% annual growth
With the potential for double digit returns and the opportunity to mature early from year one onwards, the Investec FTSE 100 Enhanced Kick Out Plan has proved consistently popular with a wide range of investors and has been our best selling Investment ISA again this year. The plan will return 10.65% annual growth (not compounded) provided the value of the FTSE 100 Index at the end of each year is higher than its value at the start of the plan (subject to averaging). Your initial capital is at risk if the Index falls by more than 50% during the term, and also finishes below its starting value, in which case your capital will be reduced by 1% for each 1% fall, so you could lose some or all of your initial investment.
Fair Investment view: “On 1st March the FTSE closed at its highest level on record, but where will the market be in one year, or two year’s time? Depending on your view of what might happen to the FTSE 100, the ability to achieve 10.65% annual growth, even if the Index stays relatively flat, perhaps helps to explain why this plan has proved so popular. So if the combination of high growth returns, the ability to mature early, as well as some capital protection against a falling market sounds appealing, this might make for a compelling opportunity in the current investment climate.”
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Up to 8.20% annual income
The FTSE Contingent Income Plan from Meteor offers a quarterly payment of 2.05% during the plan if at the end of each quarter, the value of the FTSE 100 index has not fallen by more than 20% from its value at the start of the plan – that’s a potential 8.20% income each year. If the Index has fallen by more than this, no income would be paid for that quarter.
The plan has a maximum term of 10 years, but also offers the opportunity to receive your initial capital back in full before then – if the FTSE rises 5% or more at the end of each quarter (from year 2 onwards), you will receive your income payment for that quarter, along with a full return of your initial investment – this means your investment ends early. If the plan does not finish early, your initial investment is returned at the end of the plan provided the FTSE has not fallen by more than 40%, measured at the end of the fixed term only. If it has fallen below this level, capital will be reduced by 1% for each 1% fall, so you could lose some or all of your initial investment.
Fair Investment view: “Those seeking income from their investments often put the potential yield and frequency of payments as their top priorities, so the headline yield of up to 8.20% is attractive and the cap on any income is balanced against the conditional capital protection on offer, thereby offering a competitive balance of risk versus reward. At 8.20%, the potential income from this latest issue is the highest currently available from this type of plan – and with a maximum term of 10 years, this investment offers a long term, high income opportunity.”
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5.04% fixed income each year
Our next plan is from Investec and is our best selling income investment this year, for both ISA and non-ISA investors. The current issue of the FTSE 100 Enhanced Income Plan pays a fixed income of 5.04% per year, with monthly payments of 0.42% paid to you regardless of the performance of FTSE. Capital is at risk if the FTSE falls by more than 50% during the investment term. If it does, and the Index also finishes below its starting level then your original capital will be reduced by 1% for each 1% fall, so you could lose some or all of your original investment.
Fair Investment view: “The current issue of the Enhanced Income Plan is the first time since its launch that it has offered a five year fixed term (previously six years), whilst the plan continues to offer a fixed income, paid to you each month. Knowing exactly how much you will be paid, when and for how long are appealing features, and by offering a high fixed income rather than a variable income based on the performance of the stock market, this plans offers something different to income seekers.”
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34% return even if the FTSE falls up to 50%
Defensive plans offer investors a competitive return on their capital even if the stock market goes down slightly. With the FTSE maintaining historically high levels in recent years, these plans have risen in popularity and the FTSE 100 Defensive Growth Plan from Investec is no exception. The plan offers a fixed return of 34%, provided the FTSE 100 Index at the end of the term is at least half of its value at the start of the plan (subject to averaging). So the FTSE can fall up to 50% and you still receive a fixed growth return of 34%. If at the end of the plan the FTSE has fallen by more than 50%, no growth will be achieved and your initial capital will be reduced by 1% for each 1% fall, so you could lose some or all of your initial investment.
Fair Investment view: “If the FTSE had fallen up to 50% in 6 years time, and yet you still achieved 34% growth plus a return of your initial capital, would you consider that to be a good investment? Taking into account the performance of the FTSE in recent years, it is perhaps understandable why many investors are considering defensive investment plans. By offering the opportunity to return 5% compound annual growth provided the market does not fall more than 50%, this plan could be appealing for ISA investors who wish to take a defensive view of what might happen to the stock market in the medium term.”
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Potential 7% annual growth even if FTSE falls up to 35%
Following on with the theme of defensive investments, the newly launched FTSE 100 Defensive Step Down Kick Out Plan from Investec offers the opportunity for 7% for each year invested (not compounded), provided the FTSE 100 Index is above the required level at the end of each year. The required level is 100% of its starting value at the end of year 2, and then reducing each year thereafter down to 65% in the final year. So if the plan kicks out in the final year, you would receive 42% growth along with a full return of your initial investment.
If the FTSE is below the required level each year no growth return will be achieved, and at the end of the plan your original capital will be returned unless the FTSE 100 Index has fallen by more than 40% at the end of the term (subject to averaging). If it does, and also finishes at or below 65% of its starting value, your initial capital will be reduced by 1% for each 1% fall, so you could lose some or all of your initial investment.
Fair Investment view: “For those investors concerned about the historically high level of the FTSE and would therefore like to include a defensive element to their investment, this plan offers the opportunity for investment level returns not only if the FTSE goes up, but also if it stays flat or even falls by almost 35% in the coming years. By combining this with some capital protection should the stock market fall, this plan could offer a compelling balance of risk versus reward for those who are not confident that the FTSE will rise significantly in the medium term.”
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Important reminder – why do an ISA?
One of the main reasons for using an ISA is it’s tax treatment since no tax is payable on the income you receive, or any capital gains that you make, and there is also no need to declare any ISA income or capital gains on your tax return. They therefore provide tax efficient income and/or growth on your investment, the benefit of which can be compounded over time. See our Top 10 Tips for the 2017 ISA season for further help and tips on how to make the most from this important time of year. Please also note that with all of these investments, our experienced Investment Customer Services team is available on 0845 308 2525 to answer any questions you have.
How to apply
When you click for more information on any of the above plans you will be able to request a brochure pack which will be sent to you by post and email. This will include everything you need to invest, whether applying for an ISA, transferring existing Cash ISAs and/or Stocks & Shares ISAs or making on-ISA investments. Also note that these plans have different application deadlines, and may also close early so it is important to submit your application as soon as possible. Minimum investments and arrangement fees also apply.
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No news, feature article or comment should be seen as a personal recommendation to invest. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
Tax treatment of ISAs depends on your individual circumstances and is based on current legislation which are subject to change in the future. ISA transfer charges may also apply, please check with your provider before transferring an ISA.
These are structured investment plans which are not capital protected and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for default alone. There is a risk of losing some or all of your initial investment. There is a risk that the company backing the plan or any company associated with the plan may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated. In addition, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term. The past performance of the FTSE 100 Index is not a guide to its future performance.