1. Select fund
Read about our five funds, their characteristics and choose the one that sounds most like you
Ready-made Investments
A straight-forward way to invest
What are Ready-made Investments?
If you’re ready to invest but are short on time or need some inspiration, you might want to consider one of our five ready-made investment funds. You don’t need to be an expert – our team of professionals create and monitor our funds. Just choose the one which sounds most like you and start your investment journey today. Check if you’re ready to invest.
2. Open account
Once you’ve chosen, simply follow a few steps to open and fund your account, then you’ll be ready to buy your Ready-made Investment
3. Sit back and relax
Let our experts take care of the hard stuff – they’ll ensure the fund continues to perform in-line with its characteristics
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you might not get back what you invest. On this page you’ll find information about our Ready-made Investments to help you decide if they’re right for you and tips on how to get started. If you’re unsure about investing, seek independent financial advice, as we can’t provide it.
Your investment match
We like to keep investing simple. We created the following five funds (and their characteristics) to do exactly that. Just like us, each acts in a different way, so if one sounds like what you are looking for, it might be the one to choose.
When you invest, you’re looking to boost the return on your money but should understand that alongside the chance of a bigger reward, comes the potential for bigger losses and a bumpier ride along the way – that’s “risk” – so bear this in mind when choosing your fund. In general, cash is the least risky and shares are the riskiest, with bonds sitting in between. Learn more about asset allocation.
-
Defensive
Defensive
- Risk level: Our lowest risk fund, but there’s no such thing as risk free
- It contains: 25% cash, 57% bonds and 18% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of short-term opportunities.
- It’s like: Riding a bike with the stabilisers on
Discrete 5 year performance (%) Year from 31 January
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Global Markets 1
6.52%
4.66%
-0.49%
4.30%
4.37%
Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.
Looking for the nuts and bolts? We’ve put together these documents that you should read before you invest.
KIID [PDF, 183KB], Factsheet [PDF, 235KB], you can also read the Value Assessment here [PDF, 683KB]
They’ll tell you about the fund, explain how our experts have created it and its associated risks.
Just to let you know – you can sell your fund and access your proceeds at any time but remember your investment should be for the long term (at least five years) and you could get back less than you invested.
How much will your Ready-made Investment cost?
The total cost is the combination of our product, customer and transaction fees.
*This cost is deducted from the value of the fund, not charged as a cash payment like the customer fee. When a fund buys and sells assets it will also incur Transaction costs. These aren’t included in the product fees.
Holding value
Total ongoing cost (excluding fund transaction costs)
£5,000
£5.88 per month
£10,000
£7.75 per month
£15,000
£9.63 per month
Ready to buy?
Open a new Smart Investor account
You can choose from two types of account. Once your account is open, you can buy your chosen Ready-made Investment.
Investment ISA
The most common account people chose when they start to invest.
You can pay in up to £20,000 per tax year
Any returns you make are tax-free.
Tax rules can change in future and their effects on you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Investment Account
A flexible account which you might want to consider if you’ve already used your ISA allowance for the current tax year OR you’re already paying into an ISA with another provider.
No limits on the amount you can invest.
The return you make on your investments will be taxable but there are allowances that may mean you don’t pay tax anyway or it is reduced.
Smart Investor is an investment service for UK residents aged 18 or over. The service is not available to US persons, even if they are resident in the UK.
Already have a Smart Investor account?
You can buy this Ready-made Investment using an existing account.
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
-
Cautious
Cautious
- Risk level: Slightly higher than Defensive, but still at the lower end of the spectrum
- It contains: 16% cash, 51% bonds and 33% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of short-term opportunities.
- It’s like: Taking the stabilisers off your bike – you might wobble slightly, but it’s not too dangerous
Discrete 5 year performance (%) Year from 31 January
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Global Markets 2
11.97%
7.60%
-0.81%
7.86%
6.33%
Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.
Looking for the nuts and bolts? We’ve put together these documents that you should read before you invest.
KIID [PDF, 183KB], Factsheet [PDF, 235KB], you can also read the Value Assessment here [PDF, 683KB]
They’ll tell you about the fund, explain how our experts have created it and its associated risks.
Just to let you know – you can sell your fund and access your proceeds at any time but remember your investment should be for the long term (at least five years) and you could get back less than you invested.
How much will your Ready-made Investment cost?
The total cost is the combination of our product, customer and transaction fees.
*This cost is deducted from the value of the fund, not charged as a cash payment like the customer fee. When a fund buys and sells assets it will also incur Transaction costs. These aren’t included in the product fees.
Holding value
Total ongoing cost (excluding fund transaction costs)
£5,000
£5.88 per month
£10,000
£7.75 per month
£15,000
£9.63 per month
Ready to buy?
Open a new Smart Investor account
You can choose from two types of account. Once your account is open, you can buy your chosen Ready-made Investment.
Investment ISA
The most common account people chose when they start to invest.
You can pay in up to £20,000 per tax year
Any returns you make are tax-free.
Tax rules can change in future and their effects on you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Investment Account
A flexible account which you might want to consider if you’ve already used your ISA allowance for the current tax year OR you’re already paying into an ISA with another provider.
No limits on the amount you can invest.
The return you make on your investments will be taxable but there are allowances that may mean you don’t pay tax anyway or it is reduced.
Smart Investor is an investment service for UK residents aged 18 or over. The service is not available to US persons, even if they are resident in the UK.
Already have a Smart Investor account?
You can buy this Ready-made Investment using an existing account.
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
-
Balanced
Balanced
- Risk level: Medium. Some uncertainty, but within your comfort zone.
- It contains: 8% cash, 39% bonds and 53% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of short-term opportunities.
- It’s like: Riding a bike in the road, but still in the cycle lane
Discrete 5 year performance (%) Year from 31 January
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Global Markets 3
16.91%
10.50%
-1.13%
10.35%
7.80%
Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.
Looking for the nuts and bolts? We’ve put together these documents that you should read before you invest
KIID [PDF, 183KB], Factsheet [PDF, 235KB], you can also read the Value Assessment here [PDF, 683KB]
They’ll tell you about the fund, explain how our experts have created it and its associated risks.
Just to let you know – you can sell your fund and access your proceeds at any time but remember your investment should be for the long term (at least five years) and you could get back less than you invested.
How much will your Ready-made Investment cost?
The total cost is the combination of our product, customer and transaction fees.
*This cost is deducted from the value of the fund, not charged as a cash payment like the customer fee. When a fund buys and sells assets it will also incur Transaction costs. These aren’t included in the product fees.
Holding value
Total ongoing cost (excluding fund transaction costs)
£5,000
£5.88 per month
£10,000
£7.75 per month
£15,000
£9.63 per month
Ready to buy?
Open a new Smart Investor account
You can choose from two types of account. Once your account is open, you can buy your chosen Ready-made Investment.
Investment ISA
The most common account people chose when they start to invest.
You can pay in up to £20,000 per tax year
Any returns you make are tax-free.
Tax rules can change in future and their effects on you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Investment Account
A flexible account which you might want to consider if you’ve already used your ISA allowance for the current tax year OR you’re already paying into an ISA with another provider.
No limits on the amount you can invest.
The return you make on your investments will be taxable but there are allowances that may mean you don’t pay tax anyway or it is reduced.
Smart Investor is an investment service for UK residents aged 18 or over. The service is not available to US persons, even if they are resident in the UK.
Already have a Smart Investor account?
You can buy this Ready-made Investment using an existing account.
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
-
Growth
Growth
- Risk level: Higher risk, designed for those who’ll take chances if the potential pay-outs are worth it
- It contains: 2% cash, 24% bonds and 74% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of short-term opportunities.
- It’s like: Riding off-road – but making sure you’re wearing a helmet and knee pads
Discrete 5 year performance (%) Year from 31 January
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Global Markets 4
20.67%
12.85%
-1.39%
11.99%
8.71%
Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.
Looking for the nuts and bolts? We’ve put together these documents that you should read before you invest.
KIID [PDF, 183KB], Factsheet [PDF, 235KB], you can also read the Value Assessment here [PDF, 683KB]
They’ll tell you about the fund, explain how our experts have created it and its associated risks.
Just to let you know – you can sell your fund and access your proceeds at any time but remember your investment should be for the long term (at least five years) and you could get back less than you invested.
How much will your Ready-made Investment cost?
The total cost is the combination of our product, customer and transaction fees.
*This cost is deducted from the value of the fund, not charged as a cash payment like the customer fee. When a fund buys and sells assets it will also incur Transaction costs. These aren’t included in the product fees.
Holding value
Total ongoing cost (excluding fund transaction costs)
£5,000
£5.88 per month
£10,000
£7.75 per month
£15,000
£9.63 per month
Ready to buy?
Open a new Smart Investor account
You can choose from two types of account. Once your account is open, you can buy your chosen Ready-made Investment.
Investment ISA
The most common account people chose when they start to invest.
You can pay in up to £20,000 per tax year
Any returns you make are tax-free.
Tax rules can change in future and their effects on you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Investment Account
A flexible account which you might want to consider if you’ve already used your ISA allowance for the current tax year OR you’re already paying into an ISA with another provider.
No limits on the amount you can invest.
The return you make on your investments will be taxable but there are allowances that may mean you don’t pay tax anyway or it is reduced.
Smart Investor is an investment service for UK residents aged 18 or over. The service is not available to US persons, even if they are resident in the UK.
Already have a Smart Investor account?
You can buy this Ready-made Investment using an existing account.
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
-
Adventurous
Adventurous
- Risk level: Our highest risk fund – it’s for those who can afford to take the biggest risk of loss for the chance of getting the biggest reward
- It contains: 2% cash, 11% bonds and 87% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of short-term opportunities.
- It’s like: riding down a mountain – you could suffer serious harm but the exhilaration could be worth it
Discrete 5 year performance (%) Year from 31 January
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
2020-21
Global Markets 5
23.42%
14.06%
-1.58%
12.46%
10.20%
Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.
Looking for the nuts and bolts? We’ve put together these documents that you should read before you invest.
KIID [PDF, 182KB], Factsheet [PDF, 234KB], you can also read the Value Assessment here [PDF, 683KB]
They’ll tell you about the fund, explain how our experts have created it and its associated risks.
Just to let you know – you can sell your fund and access your proceeds at any time but remember your investment should be for the long term (at least five years) and you could get back less than you invested.
How much will your Ready-made Investment cost?
The total cost is the combination of our product, customer and transaction fees.
*This cost is deducted from the value of the fund, not charged as a cash payment like the customer fee. When a fund buys and sells assets it will also incur Transaction costs. These aren’t included in the product fees.
Holding value
Total ongoing cost (excluding fund transaction costs)
£5,000
£5.88 per month
£10,000
£7.75 per month
£15,000
£9.63 per month
Ready to buy?
Open a new Smart Investor account
You can choose from two types of account. Once your account is open, you can buy your chosen Ready-made Investment.
Investment ISA
The most common account people chose when they start to invest.
You can pay in up to £20,000 per tax year
Any returns you make are tax-free.
Tax rules can change in future and their effects on you will depend on your individual circumstances.
Investment Account
A flexible account which you might want to consider if you’ve already used your ISA allowance for the current tax year OR you’re already paying into an ISA with another provider.
No limits on the amount you can invest.
The return you make on your investments will be taxable but there are allowances that may mean you don’t pay tax anyway or it is reduced.
Smart Investor is an investment service for UK residents aged 18 or over. The service is not available to US persons, even if they are resident in the UK.
Already have a Smart Investor account?
You can buy this Ready-made Investment using an existing account.
Remember, the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.
Other ways to invest
Always remember that investments can fall in value. You may get back less than you invest.
Plan & Invest
Plan & Invest is a new service which creates and manages a personalised Investment Plan just for you. Whether your long-term goal is your child’s university education, retirement or just building a nest egg, all you have to do is tell us a bit about yourself and then, if you’re ready to invest, let our experts select and manage your investments.
View the accessible version of our charts
-
Strategic Asset Allocation(%) Fund
Cash
Bonds
Shares
Global Markets 1 (Defensive)
25%
57%
18%
Global Markets 2 (Cautious)
16%
51%
33%
Global Markets 3 (Balanced)
8%
39%
53%
Global Markets 4 (Growth)
2%
24%
74%
Global Markets 5 (Adventurous)
2%
11%
87%
Please note: The actual asset allocation may deviate from those weights shown due to intentional shifts we make to take advantage of short-term opportunities and risks, as we see them.
Need some help?
Chat or email
Chat now or email us directly on investmentclientrelations@Barclays.com
Call us
If you have any questions, you can give us a call on 0800 279 36671.