Are cash ISAs worth it for 2014/2015 tax year?

2010

jimjames wrote: »

Down is good,

Well, that`s certainly a new angle.
The only time I thought "down is good" was when I use to go short.

guitarman001

Nick_C wrote: »

I transferred my maturing cash ISAs into a S&S ISA between June and August last year. My £23220 is currently worth £27540, and giving me a net income of £1300 pa (5.5% net on the money invested).

I shan't be bothering with cash ISAs again unless things change dramatically. My cash is split between Santander's 123 current account (3% gross) and an old Yorkshire BS regular savings account (3.75% gross)

I hear too many stories like this... I put in so much and am now up 18% - let us know what you invested in! It doesn't mean we'll invest in the same but it's good to hear what got you the return in the first place. Unfortunately my experience of buying shares has always lost me money, and not inconsequential amounts, either. (Now I mainly stick to trackers).

jimjames

guitarman001 wrote: »

I hear too many stories like this... I put in so much and am now up 18% - let us know what you invested in! It doesn't mean we'll invest in the same but it's good to hear what got you the return in the first place. Unfortunately my experience of buying shares has always lost me money, and not inconsequential amounts, either. (Now I mainly stick to trackers).

The FTSE100 rose 15% and the FTSE250 rose 25% last year so even a tracker would have done that!

2010

My experience is there`s plenty of shouting about gains but it goes a bit silent when the losses start.

vectistim

2010 wrote: »

My experience is there`s plenty of shouting about gains but it goes a bit silent when the losses start.

OK, I have some Newton Asian Income - down 12% over the last 12 months, so what, I'm still drip feeding in monthly[1]

I also have some some Marlborough UK Micro - up 37% over the last 12 months, again, I'm still drip feeding in monthly[1]

Diversification is the key. So whilst my Asia and emerging markets haven't done well lately, the smaller companies funds, which I have for the UK, Europe and the US have done well.

I guess I'm taking a fairly aggressive stance with quite a bit of emerging countries and smaller companies, but over the long term - pretty much by definition - they seem the areas with the greatest growth potential.


[1] Except not right now whilst I transfer platforms.

FatherAbraham

2010 wrote: »

My experience is there`s plenty of shouting about gains but it goes a bit silent when the losses start.

I bought some shares in Cambria Africa in the autumn -- I've lost over 25%, thanks to Mugabe's failure to die.

I bought some shares in Cambrium Global Timberland in November -- have about a 12% loss.

Still, it adds diversification to my portfolio.

Warmest regards,
FA

jimjames

2010 wrote: »

My experience is there`s plenty of shouting about gains but it goes a bit silent when the losses start.

I find it rather strange that someone who is apparently an experienced investor that did shorting is so negative on investments and sticks to cash. What happened that changed your mind?

By the way S&W Gold fund was down over 50%, now down about 30%

2010

jimjames wrote: »

I find it rather strange that someone who is apparently an experienced investor that did shorting is so negative on investments and sticks to cash. What happened that changed your mind?

By the way S&W Gold fund was down over 50%, now down about 30%

Did you read post 21.


I don`t know what S&W G F has to do with anything, you`ve lost me.

lisyloo

Any thoughts on the above and what are you doing?

I will be doing 50/50 but I have a mortgage to pay off in less than 5 years and I don't wish to invest the repayment part.

If I were unencumbered with sufficient emergency savings then I would not be saving in cash.
I would be looking for better things. S&S or pension are the obvious places but I'd be considering other alternative like property and I've just done Solar PV.

I think it depends on circumstances.
I'm happy with pitifully low whilst my mortgage is pitifully lower :-))

pip895

2010 wrote: »

Did you read post 21.


I don`t know what S&W G F has to do with anything, you`ve lost me.

You asked about losses! - I have this particular fund bought it last month - its up 15% but could as easily have been down - not a core holding What counts is building a portfolio that matches your risk tolerance. You can put together a portfolio that is only marginally more risky than cash, but it wont yield much more than cash, or pick a bunch of funds like S&W G F. There is an element of gambling in all investment but then there is in locking cash in an account yielding 3% for 5 years!