Interactive Investor
£25 minimum monthly contribution
Award winning investment platform helping investors for over 25 years.
*The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you can get back less than you originally invested.
Platform Details
All investment platforms are made differently. It's important to understand what features are on offer and the features that best align with your needs.
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1. Cost & Fees
Interactive Investor offers various plans with different fees to cater to different investment needs. Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with using Interactive Investor:
Monthly Subscription Plans
Investor Essentials Plan:
- Monthly Fee: £4.99
- Suitable for: Investors with up to £50,000 in their accounts.
- Trading Fees: UK and US trades are £3.99 each.
- Other Features: Free regular investing, dividend reinvestment at £0.99 per trade.
Investor Plan:
- Monthly Fee: £11.99
- Suitable for: Investors with balances over £50,000.
- Trading Fees: UK and US trades are £3.99 each. Includes one free trade per month.
- Other Features: Add up to two Junior ISAs for free, add two friends or family members for free, and free regular investing.
Super Investor Plan:
- Monthly Fee: £19.99
- Suitable for: Frequent investors or those managing larger portfolios.
- Trading Fees: UK and US trades are £3.99 each. Includes two free trades per month.
- Other Features: Add up to five friends or family members for free, and free regular investing.
Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
- Pension Essentials Plan:
- Monthly Fee: £5.99
- Suitable for: Investors with up to £50,000 in their SIPP.
- Other Features: Regular investing and the ability to add other accounts for additional fees.
Pension Builder Plan:
- Monthly Fee: £12.99
- Suitable for: Investors with balances over £50,000.
- Other Features: Includes platform services and other investment options.
Other Fees
- Foreign Exchange Fee: Applies to transactions involving international shares.
- Stamp Duty: 0.5% on UK share purchases.
Withdrawal Fees: Generally, there are no withdrawal fees, but certain account conditions may apply.
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
2. Minimum amount needed to invest
To start investing with Interactive Investor (ii), the minimum amount required depends on the type of account and investment strategy you choose:
Regular Investing: You can start with as little as £25 per month for regular investments across various accounts, including the Stocks and Shares ISA, SIPP, and Trading Accounts.
Lump Sum Investments: There is no specific minimum lump sum required to open an account, but you need to meet the minimum trade size for the assets you purchase.
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
3. Number of funds and stocks available
Interactive Investor provides access to over 40,000 investment options, including more than 3,000 funds.
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
4. Types of securities available
Interactive Investor offers a diverse range of securities to cater to various investment needs and strategies, including:
- Stocks
- Mutual Funds
- Investment Trusts
- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Bonds and Fixed Income Securities
- Cash and Cash-Like Investments
- IPOs and New Issues
- Sustainable and Ethical Investments
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
5. Does the platform offer individual stocks?
Yes
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
6. Types of investment accounts available
Interactive Investor offers a variety of investment accounts to cater to different financial goals and needs, including:
- Stocks and Share ISA
- Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
- Trading Account
- Junior ISA
- Cash Savings Account
- Managed ISA
- Junior SIPP
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
7. Does the platform offer automatic portfolio rebalancing?
Yes, Interactive Investor offers automatic portfolio rebalancing through its model portfolios. These portfolios are managed by Morningstar, which took over the day-to-day management in April 2022. The model portfolios are designed to help investors maintain their desired asset allocation by automatically rebalancing the holdings on a quarterly basis. This ensures that the portfolio stays aligned with its investment strategy and risk profile without requiring manual adjustments from the investor.
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
8. Does the platform offer a mobile app?
Yes
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
9. Is the platform authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)?
Yes
For more detailed and specific information, you can visit www.ii.co.uk
10. How to pick an investment platform
Key factors to consider when choosing an investment platform:
- Fees and commissions
- Available investment options
- User interface and ease of use
- Customer support options
- Security measures in place
- Research and analysis tools available
- The platforms reputation and track record
- A platform that aligns with your investment goals
- A platform that aligns with your risk tolerance
*The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future performance.
11. How to pick an investment fund
Key factors to consider when choosing an investment fund:
Investment Objectives: Clearly define your investment goals and time horizon. Different funds cater to various objectives, such as growth, income, or a balanced approach.
Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance. Some funds are more conservative, while others are more aggressive. Choose a fund that aligns with your comfort level for risk.
Diversification: Look for funds that provide a diversified portfolio. Diversification helps spread risk across different asset classes, reducing the impact of poor performance in any single investment.
Fund Type: Understand the type of fund you're considering. Common types include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds, and actively managed funds. Each has its own characteristics and management styles.
Performance History: Review the fund's historical performance. While past performance doesn't guarantee future results, it can give you insights into how the fund has performed in various market conditions.
Expense Ratio: Consider the fund's expense ratio, which represents the annual fees and operating expenses as a percentage of the fund's assets. Lower expense ratios generally translate to lower costs for investors.
Manager's Track Record: For actively managed funds, assess the track record and experience of the fund manager. Consistent and experienced management can be an indicator of the fund's potential.
Benchmark Comparison: Compare the fund's performance against a relevant benchmark index. This helps you evaluate whether the fund is outperforming or underperforming its peers.
Distribution History: For income-focused funds, check the fund's distribution history. Understand how often and how much income the fund has distributed in the past.
Size of the Fund: Consider the size of the fund. While a large fund may offer stability, it could also face challenges in deploying capital efficiently. Conversely, a small fund might be more nimble but could face liquidity issues.
Redemption Fees and Liquidity: Be aware of any redemption fees or liquidity constraints. Some funds may charge fees for early withdrawals, and illiquid funds may have limitations on how quickly you can access your money.
Tax Efficiency: Assess the fund's tax efficiency, especially if you're investing in a taxable account. Funds with low turnover and tax-efficient strategies can help minimise tax implications.
Distribution Method: Determine whether the fund distributes income and capital gains periodically or reinvests them. Your preference might depend on your financial goals and tax situation.
Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews and ratings from reputable sources, such as Morningstar or Lipper. These sources provide independent assessments of funds based on various criteria.
Exit Strategy: Understand the fund's exit strategy. If your investment goals change, ensure that the fund allows for a smooth exit without excessive penalties.
*The value of your investments can fall as well as rise and past performance is not a guide to future performance.
12. Understanding Fees
Understanding investing fees is essential for investors to make informed decisions and maximise their investment returns.
Here are some common investing fees you should be aware of:
Management Fees: These fees are charged by investment managers or advisors for managing your investment portfolio. Management fees are typically charged annually as a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). They cover the cost of research, analysis, and portfolio management services provided by the investment professional.
Expense Ratios: Expense ratios represent the annual operating expenses of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investment funds as a percentage of the fund's average net assets. These expenses include management fees, administrative costs, and other operational expenses. Expense ratios are deducted from the fund's returns and directly impact investors' net returns.
Front-End Loads: Front-end loads are sales charges or commissions paid when purchasing mutual fund shares. Front-end loads are deducted from the initial investment amount before the remaining funds are invested in the fund. These fees are typically expressed as a percentage of the investment amount and are paid to the investment advisor or broker who sold the fund.
Back-End Loads (Deferred Sales Charges): Back-end loads are sales charges or commissions paid when redeeming or selling mutual fund shares within a specified period after purchase, typically within a few years. Unlike front-end loads, back-end loads are not deducted at the time of purchase but are applied when investors sell their fund shares. These fees often decline over time and eventually reach zero after the specified holding period.
Transaction Fees: Transaction fees are charged by brokerage firms or trading platforms for buying or selling securities, such as stocks, bonds, options, or mutual funds. These fees can vary depending on the type of transaction, the size of the trade, and the brokerage firm's fee structure. Transaction fees can significantly impact the overall cost of trading and should be considered when executing investment transactions.
Advisor Fees: Advisor fees are charges levied by financial advisors or investment professionals for providing investment advice and financial planning services. Advisor fees can be charged as a flat fee, hourly rate, or as a percentage of assets under management (AUM). These fees compensate advisors for their expertise and guidance in managing clients' investment portfolios and financial affairs.
Account Maintenance Fees: Some brokerage firms or investment platforms may charge account maintenance fees for managing or maintaining investment accounts. These fees are typically assessed on an annual or quarterly basis and cover administrative expenses associated with account management, record-keeping, and customer service.
*Understanding and minimising investing fees is crucial for maximising investment returns over the long term. Investors should carefully review fee disclosures, compare fee structures across different investment options, and consider the impact of fees on their investment performance and overall financial goals.
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