Skip to main content

You are here: Home / i.nvest / Investment Choices

 

Investment Choices

i.nvest offers you a wide range of investment choices, making it simple to create the portfolio that’s right for you.

Choose from:

  • UK listed shares
  • International equities
  • Investment trusts
  • OEICs and unit trusts
  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
  • Bonds
  • Gilts

Classes of investments you can hold within i.nvest

i.nvest allows you to invest in a wide range of different asset classes, some of which are explained below. For fuller explanations of various terms, please refer to our glossary.

What are shares?

A share is a unit of investment in an individual company. Investing in shares offers a huge range of investment possibilities, with varying risk profiles.

i.nvest allows you to select any UK listed share on LSE, AIM and Plus Market as well as over 21,000 shares in 21 international exchanges. Certain accounts prohibit the purchase of certain shares.

What are investment trusts?

Investment trusts are listed companies which invest in the shares of other companies. They differ from unit trusts and OEICs, as they’re required to have an independent board of directors and are answerable to their shareholders. Investment trusts are described as close ended, meaning that they can only issue a fixed number of shares at any one time.

What are OEICs and unit trusts?

OEICs are pooled investment vehicles that enable you to invest in a wide range of assets. They do not have fixed share capital and the number of shares they issue  depends on supply and demand. They may be established with a number of separate funds (sub funds) within their structure. Each of these sub funds has a specific portfolio of securities to which its assets and liabilities are attributed.

Unit trusts are also pooled investment vehicles that enable you to invest in a wide range of assets. They do not have a fixed number of units and the number of units they issue depends on supply and demand. The value of the units is directly related to the value of the underlying investments.

What are ETFs?

ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) are issued as shares and reflect a particular market. Some also focus on a particular asset class, such as bonds.  They are traded on the stock market but offer an alternative to traditional investments in stocks, bonds or mutual funds.

What are bonds?

Bonds are split into two categories - Corporate Bonds and Gilts (Government Bonds).

Companies issue corporate bonds as a way of raising money to invest in their business. They have a nominal value - usually £100 - which is the amount that will be returned to the investor on a stated future date, known as the redemption date. Corporate bonds also pay a stated interest rate each year - usually at a fixed rate. They are bought and sold on the stock market and their price can go up as well as down.

Gilts or gilt-edged stocks are bonds issued by the Government that pay a fixed rate of interest twice a year.

You are not, however, guaranteed to get all your capital back under all circumstances. Like corporate bonds, gilts are sold on the stock market where their price can go up as well as down.

Risk warning

Please remember the value of your investments and any income from them can go up or down and you might get back less than the amount that you originally invested. All investments carry an element of risk which may differ slightly and if you are unsure as to the suitability of any particular investments, you should seek professional financial advice. Foreign markets will involve different risks than UK markets. In some cases risks will be greater. The potential for profit or loss from transactions on foreign markets or in foreign currency denominated markets will be affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.