- Investors across the age groups hold oil majors and banks in their portfolios
- Younger investors are more likely to hold tech companies
- Older investors are more likely to hold pharmaceuticals
- People aged 65+ trade the least
- Those aged 55-64 trade more than any other age group
The Different Generations Of Investors
Older and younger investors have some striking differences when it comes to their portfolios, but an awful lot of it is driven by them tailoring their investments to their stage in life. When it comes to their overall approach, they have more that unites than divides them.
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Both older and younger investors are looking for positive growth stories. Both age groups hold oil majors and banks – reflecting their history of producing strong dividends, and the profits oil companies have been making while the oil price is higher.
However, different generations of investors are seeing opportunity in different places. Younger people are more likely to have technology companies in the mix, taking advantage of the way tech is transforming economies around the world. Parents also favour these stocks for their JISA portfolios. Meanwhile, older investors see the potential in pharmaceuticals as the population ages.
How they approach trading also varies by age. Those aged 65 plus trade the least, followed by those aged 18-29, and investors aged 30-54. Those aged 55-64 trade much more than their nearest rival, but that may be because they are approaching retirement and need to position their portfolio differently for capital protection and income rather than growth.
When it comes to selecting funds, there are some themes that appeal across the generations. All have exposure to global funds, and to those that spread the net far and wide.
Younger investors favour tracker funds, which offer exposure to long term growth at a low cost. They also have some smaller company funds in the mix, which reflects the fact that those with a longer time horizon tend to be able to take a little more risk.
While investors of all ages tend to have some exposure to the US, younger people may have more, partly because the market is dominated by some of the technology and growth stocks they favour.
When parents are picking funds for a Junior ISA, they’re aware that with a time horizon of 18 years, they can afford some more adventurous funds. So in among trackers and global funds they have smaller companies and emerging markets.
As we get older, we are marginally more likely to pick a sustainable fund, which makes it to the top ten for those in mid-life. And as your investment needs change, income funds play a more important role.
Article by Emma Wall, head of investment analysis and research, Hargreaves Lansdown
HL data
Top shares (alphabetical) by age group
| 18-54 | 55+ |
| Amazon.com | AstraZeneca |
| Apple | Aviva |
| BP | BP |
| International Consolidated Airlines Group | GSK |
| Legal & General Group | Legal & General Group |
| Lloyds Banking Group | Lloyds Banking Group |
| Microsoft Corporation | National Grid |
| Rolls Royce Holdings | Rio Tinto |
| Shell | Shell |
| Tesla | Unilever |
Top funds (alphabetical) by age group
| 18-29 | 30-54 | 55-64 | 65-80 | 81+ |
| Baillie Gifford American | Baillie Gifford American | Artemis Income
|
Artemis Income
|
Artemis Income
|
| Fundsmith Equity | Fundsmith Equity | BNY Mellon Global Income
|
BNY Mellon Global Income
|
BNY Mellon Global Income
|
| HSBC FTSE 250 Index
|
HSBC FTSE 250 Index
|
Fundsmith Equity | Fundsmith Equity | Fundsmith Equity |
| Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General International Index Trust | Jupiter European | Invesco Monthly Income Plus |
| Legal & General UK Index | Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General International Index Trust | Invesco UK Equity High Income |
| Legal & General US Index | Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General International Index Trust | Legal & General US Index | JPM UK Equity Core
|
| Lindsell Train Global Equity | Lindsell Train Global Equity | Lindsell Train Global Equity | Lindsell Train Global Equity | Jupiter European
|
| Lindsell Train UK Equity | Lindsell Train UK Equity | Lindsell Train UK Equity | Lindsell Train UK Equity | Jupiter Income
|
| Rathbone Global Opportunities | Rathbone Global Opportunities | Rathbone Global Opportunities | Rathbone Global Opportunities | Lindsell Train Global Equity |
| UBS S&P 500 Index | Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders Sustainability | Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders Sustainability | Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders Sustainability | Marlborough Multi Cap Income
|
Top JISA equities (alphabetical)
| Apple Inc |
| Barclays plc |
| BP plc |
| GSK plc |
| International Consolidated Airlines Group SA |
| Legal & General Group plc |
| Lloyds Banking Group plc |
| Rolls Royce Holdings Plc |
| Shell plc |
| Tesla Inc |
Top JISA funds (alphabetical)
| Fundsmith Equity |
| JPMorgan Emerging Markets |
| Legal & General International Index Trust |
| Legal & General UK Index |
| Legal & General US Index |
| Lindsell Train Global Equity |
| Marlborough UK Micro-Cap Growth |
| Rathbone Global Opportunities |
| Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders Sustainability |
| Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equity |
