Ready-made Investments

A low-cost and easy way to invest from £50

An ideal choice if you’re new to investing or short on time. Simply choose your level of risk and reward and leave the rest to us.

Capital at risk

What are Ready-made Investments?

Ready-made investment funds are ideal if you’re new to investing, short on time, or would prefer an expert to manage your investments for you. The money you put in the funds is invested across a range of assets, countries and companies, which gives you opportunity to grow your money.

Our five Ready-made Investment funds have different risk and reward levels which allow you to choose what’s right for you. All you have to do is select a fund based on the level of risk and reward you’re comfortable with and leave the rest to us.

Managed for you

These funds are managed for you by our investment experts.

Decide your risk

Our five funds have a different risk and reward level which allows you to choose what’s right for you.

Low-cost

We keep our fees low to help your money grow.

Start from £50

Make a one-off payment or set-up a regular monthly Direct Debit from just £50.

Investments can fall as well as rise so you might not get back what you invest. If you’re unsure which investments are right for you, please seek independent advice. Tax rules can change, and any benefits depend on your circumstances.

Choose your Ready-made Investment

Defensive: Lower risk

Fund name: Barclays Global Markets Defensive Fund

The fund name is what to look for if you invest on Smart Investor.

  • Contains: 66% cash, 16% bonds and 18% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of new opportunities.
  • About this fund: Aiming for modest growth in the medium to long term, while seeking to protect your capital. This fund invests worldwide mostly in cash and bonds, with some exposure to shares, mainly in developed markets. 
  • This fund is available in income and accumulation units. Income units distribute any interest or dividend income from the fund directly to you. An accumulation unit offers growth in the fund, so any income is reinvested, raising the investment’s value. The income is paid quarterly, the dates for qualifying for the income and when the income is paid along with the current yield are on the factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

5 year performance (%)

5 year performance

Year from 31 Dec

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

5-year annualised

10-year annualised

Global Markets Defensive Fund

4.68%

3.03%

-10.74%

7.17%

5.23%

1.66%

2.16%

Year from 31 Dec

Global Markets Defensive Fund

2019-20

4.68%

2020-21

3.03%

2021-22

-10.74%

2022-23

7.17%

2023-24

5.23%

5-year annualised

1.66%

10-year annualised

2.16%

Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more information on the fund please read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) [PDF, 211KB] and the fund factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

Choose your account

Investment ISA

An Investment ISA (also known as a Stocks and Shares ISA) is the most popular account. It’s tax-efficient so you won’t pay UK income or capital gains tax on any returns you make. You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year and withdraw your money at any time.

Investment Account (GIA)

An Investment Account is ideal if you’ve already used your ISA allowance. It has no upper limit. You’ll earn interest on any cash held in this account and can withdraw your money at any time.

Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

A SIPP helps you prepare for retirement. You can access your pot from 55 (going up to 57 from 2028) and you may be eligible for tax relief on the money you pay in.

Already have a Smart Investor account?

You can buy Ready-made Investments in your existing account.

Cautious: Medium-low risk

Fund name: Barclays Global Markets Cautious Fund

The fund name is what to look for if you invest on Smart Investor.

  • Contains: 33% cash and short-term bonds, 29% bonds and 38% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of new opportunities.
  • About this fund: This fund is focused on growth and income over the longer term. The fund can hold 20-60% in shares making it riskier than Defensive, but still at the lower end of the risk spectrum. The majority of the fund is currently held in bonds and cash.
  • This fund is available in income and accumulation units. Income units distribute any interest or dividend income from the fund directly to you. An accumulation unit offers growth in the fund, so any income is reinvested, raising the investment’s value. The income is paid quarterly, the dates for qualifying for the income and when the income is paid along with the current yield are on the factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

5 year performance (%)

5 year performance

Year from 31 Dec

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

5-year annualised

10-year annualised

Global Markets Cautious Fund

6.73%

5.08%

-10.59%

8.69%

7.49%

3.22%

3.90%

Year from 31 Dec

Global Markets Cautious Fund

2019-20

6.73%

2020-21

5.08%

2021-22

-10.59%

2022-23

8.69%

2023-24

7.49%

5-year annualised

3.22%

10-year annualised

3.90%

Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more information on the fund please read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) [PDF, 211KB] and the fund factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

Choose your account

Investment ISA

An Investment ISA (also known as a Stocks and Shares ISA) is the most popular account. It’s tax-efficient so you won’t pay UK income or capital gains tax on any returns you make. You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year and withdraw your money at any time.

Investment Account (GIA)

An Investment Account is ideal if you’ve already used your ISA allowance. It has no upper limit. You’ll earn interest on any cash held in this account and can withdraw your money at any time.

Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

A SIPP helps you prepare for retirement. You can access your pot from 55 (going up to 57 from 2028) and you may be eligible for tax relief on the money you pay in.

Already have a Smart Investor account?

You can buy Ready-made Investments in your existing account.

Balanced: Medium risk

Fund name: Barclays Global Markets Balanced Fund

The fund name is what to look for if you invest on Smart Investor.

  • Contains: 2% cash and short-term bonds, 42% bonds and 56% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of new opportunities.
  • About this fund: Balancing the risk and growth potential of shares with the stability of bonds and cash. This fund is right in the middle of the risk spectrum and includes exposure to both emerging markets and developing market’s shares.
  • This fund is available in income and accumulation units. Income units distribute any interest or dividend income from the fund directly to you. An accumulation unit offers growth in the fund, so any income is reinvested, raising the investment’s value. The income is paid quarterly, the dates for qualifying for the income and when the income is paid along with the current yield are on the factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

5 year performance (%)

5 year performance

Year from 31 Dec

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

5-year annualised

10-year annualised

Global Markets Balanced Fund

8.25%

8.74%

-9.74%

11.14%

10.28%

5.42%

5.83%

Year from 31 Dec

Global Markets Balanced Fund

2019-20

8.25%

2020-21

8.74%

2021-22

-9.74%

2022-23

11.14%

2023-24

10.28%

5-year annualised

5.42%

10-year annualised

5.83%

Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more information on the fund please read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) [PDF, 211KB] and the fund factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

Choose your account

Investment ISA

An Investment ISA (also known as a Stocks and Shares ISA) is the most popular account. It’s tax-efficient so you won’t pay UK income or capital gains tax on any returns you make. You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year and withdraw your money at any time.

Investment Account (GIA)

An Investment Account is ideal if you’ve already used your ISA allowance. It has no upper limit. You’ll earn interest on any cash held in this account and can withdraw your money at any time.

Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

A SIPP helps you prepare for retirement. You can access your pot from 55 (going up to 57 from 2028) and you may be eligible for tax relief on the money you pay in.

Already have a Smart Investor account?

You can buy Ready-made Investments in your existing account.

Growth: Medium-high risk

Fund name: Barclays Global Markets Growth Fund

The fund name is what to look for if you invest on Smart Investor.

  • Contains: 2% cash and short-term bonds, 25% bonds and 73% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of new opportunities.
  • About this fund: A higher risk fund, designed for those who’ll take chances if the potential pay-outs are worth it. This fund holds some bonds, but the majority of the portfolio is shares, including some from emerging economies.
  • This fund is available in accumulation units which reinvest rather than pay out any income.

5 year performance (%)

5 year performance

Year from 31 Dec

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

5-year annualised

10-year annualised

Global Markets Growth Fund

9.10%

12.46%

-8.81%

12.40%

12.75%

7.23%

7.30%

Year from 31 Dec

Global Markets Growth Fund

2019-20

9.10%

2020-21

12.46%

2021-22

-8.81%

2022-23

12.40%

2023-24

12.75%

5-year annualised

7.23%

10-year annualised

7.30%

Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more information on the fund please read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) [PDF, 211KB] and the fund factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

Choose your account

Investment ISA

An Investment ISA (also known as a Stocks and Shares ISA) is the most popular account. It’s tax-efficient so you won’t pay UK income or capital gains tax on any returns you make. You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year and withdraw your money at any time.

Investment Account (GIA)

An Investment Account is ideal if you’ve already used your ISA allowance. It has no upper limit. You’ll earn interest on any cash held in this account and can withdraw your money at any time.

Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

A SIPP helps you prepare for retirement. You can access your pot from 55 (going up to 57 from 2028) and you may be eligible for tax relief on the money you pay in.

Already have a Smart Investor account?

You can buy Ready-made Investments in your existing account.

Adventurous: High risk

Fund name: Barclays Global Markets Adventurous Fund

The fund name is what to look for if you invest on Smart Investor.

  • Contains: 2% cash and short-term bonds, 9% bonds and 89% shares. These numbers may change as our experts make the most of new opportunities.
  • About this fund: Our highest risk fund offering the largest potential for higher returns on your money. The fund can invest in any country (including emerging markets), region, currency, and sector. A small amount of the portfolio is in cash and bonds, but the majority is shares in emerging and developed economies.
  • This fund is available in accumulation units which reinvest rather than pay out any income.

5 year performance (%)

5 year performance

Year from 31 Dec

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

5-year annualised

10-year annualised

Global Markets Adventurous Fund

9.86%

15.24%

-8.35%

13.03%

15.08%

8.58%

8.35%

Year from 31 Dec

Global Markets Adventurous Fund

2019-20

9.86%

2020-21

15.24%

2021-22

-8.35%

2022-23

13.03%

2023-24

15.08%

5-year annualised

8.58%

10-year annualised

8.35%

Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more information on the fund please read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) [PDF, 211KB] and the fund factsheet. [PDF, 304KB]

Choose your account

Investment ISA

An Investment ISA (also known as a Stocks and Shares ISA) is the most popular account. It’s tax-efficient so you won’t pay UK income or capital gains tax on any returns you make. You can invest up to £20,000 per tax year and withdraw your money at any time.

Investment Account (GIA)

An Investment Account is ideal if you’ve already used your ISA allowance. It has no upper limit. You’ll earn interest on any cash held in this account and can withdraw your money at any time.

Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)

A SIPP helps you prepare for retirement. You can access your pot from 55 (going up to 57 from 2028) and you may be eligible for tax relief on the money you pay in.

Already have a Smart Investor account?

You can buy Ready-made Investments in your existing account.

Thousands of customers are signing up to invest through Smart Investor

“I’m now investing monthly to build up my investments going forward”

Alison, 56, Lancashire.

We were voted Best Stocks and Shares ISA Provider 2023 and Best SIPP Provider 2024 at The Online Money awards, Best for Customer Service 2024 from Boring Money and Consumer Rated Value for Money 2024 from Boring Money.

A simple, low-cost fee structure

Customer fee

0.25% p.a.

on balances between £1 and £200,000

0.05% on balances £200,000 and over

Buying & selling shares online*

£6

per trade**

Free to trade funds online

Interest rates

Activity

Cost

Buying and selling funds online

No charge**

Regular investments (including shares)

No charge

Dividend reinvestment

No charge

Holding cash

No charge

Transferring investments

No charge

Cash withdrawal and account closure

No charge

Activity

Buying and selling funds online

Cost

No charge**

Activity

Regular investments (including shares)

Cost

No charge

Activity

Dividend reinvestment

Cost

No charge

Activity

Holding cash

Cost

No charge

Activity

Transferring investments

Cost

No charge

Activity

Cash withdrawal and account closure

Cost

No charge

*Including ETFs, investment trusts, bonds and gilts

**£25 per trade by telephone. Taxes may apply when buying shares. A foreign exchange and an international brokerage fee will be charged when trading international shares.

Get started in 3 steps

1. Choose your account

Whether you’re looking to invest in a tax-free ISA, build a retirement pot or just want a general investment account, we have a solution for you.

2. Decide how much to invest

Choose how much you want to invest and how often. You can start from £50 by setting-up a monthly regular investment instruction or through a one-off lump sum investment which you can top-up further at any time.

3.  Pick your fund

Our five funds have a different risk and reward level which allows you to choose what’s right for you.

Ready-made Investment FAQs

No, Ready-made Investments can be suitable for anyone lacking the time or expertise to pick individual stocks or those who are looking for instant diversification.

Within these diversified funds investments are spread across a range of assets, countries and companies which helps smooth returns and hopefully provides a better opportunity for growth.

Some may view Ready-made Investments as a great first investment as you can buy a completely diversified portfolio managed by an expert, in just a few steps.

Your Ready-made Investments can be bought and sold just like other funds. Simply log in to your account and click ‘sell’ next to the fund you no longer wish to hold. Funds deal daily and your holding will be sold at the next available dealing point.

The proceeds from your sale will be available to reinvest on your Smart Investor account as soon as the details of your sale are confirmed, or after four working days the money will be available for you to withdraw to your current account.

There are two types of fund units. Income units distribute any interest or dividend income from the fund directly to you. An accumulation unit is designed to offer you growth in the fund, so any income will be kept in the fund and reinvested, raising the value of your investment.

The funds lower down the risk scale (Defensive, Cautious and Balanced) offer both income and accumulation units. If you purchase income units and would like income to be paid directly to your bank account, you can arrange this through your Smart Investor account by logging in to your account and changing your preferences within your investment settings.

The higher risk portfolios (Growth and Adventurous) are focused on generating capital growth and are only available as accumulation units.

All the Ready-made investments put your money in a mixture of shares, bonds, and cash, which gives you instant diversification to help protect against stock market falls, but the proportion they hold in each differs between the funds.

To decide which of the five options is most suitable for you, you will need to consider your attitude to risk. Are you more comfortable taking a lower risk approach? Or are you happy to take a bit more risk in the hope of potentially higher returns?

The timescale for your financial goals is also important. Most investors are happy to take on more risk when they are investing for longer time frames, usually five years or longer.

There is no need to choose just one of the Ready-made investments. You can divide your portfolio between as many as you wish and add other funds, shares, and bonds to create a portfolio that’s just right for you and your goals.

Yes, you can buy as many as you wish.

You may have different goals for each of your accounts and therefore different attitudes to risk for each. For example, you may be willing to accept more risk with your self-invested personal pension (SIPP) if retirement is many decades away than within your ISA which could be used for shorter term goals such as a house purchase in five years’ time.

These different goals may mean different Ready-made Investments are more suited to different accounts.

Alternatively, you may find more than one of the Ready-made Investments is a good fit for your plans and so a combination would provide the best portfolio for you.

Need help? Call us

If you have any questions, you can call our UK-based team on 0800 279 3667.(1)

Important information

  1. Lines are open from 7:30am to 7:00pm Monday to Thursday, 7:30am to 6:00pm on Friday, and closed during weekends and public holidays. To maintain a quality service, we may monitor or record phone calls. (Return to reference)