Types Of Investment Products

Investment funds (indirect) How it works

 

Unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEICs)Funds managed by a professional investment manager. There are lots of different strategies and risk levels to choose from and they can invest in one or more different asset classes. 

 

Investment trustsAnother form of ‘collective’ investment where your money is pooled with that of other investors and managed by a professional investment manager. Investment trusts are set up as companies with their own boards of directors and they are listed on the stock exchange. You invest in the fund by buying and selling shares in the investment trust either directly or through the products listed in the next table. Once again, there are lots of different strategies and risk levels to choose from.

​

Insurance company fundsInvestment funds run by life insurance companies. When you invest through an insurance or pension product (see table below), you often choose how your money is invested. The choice might be from the insurance company’s own funds or into investment funds equivalent to those run by other managers.

​

Tracker funds - Some investment funds adopt a ‘tracker’ strategy. The value of the fund increases or decreases in line with a stock-market index (a measure of how well the stock market is doing). Tracker funds often have lower charges than other types of fund. Similar to tracker funds are Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), which also aim to track particular indices. ETFs, unlike tracker funds, are traded on the stock market.

​

REITs - These are a special type of investment trust that invests in property. Similar OEICs are called property authorised investment funds (PAIFs).

Investment products (indirect)How it works

​

Stocks and Shares ISAs - A tax-free way of investing in shares or investment funds, up to an annual limit (currently £20,000 for 2021/22). Many unit trusts and OEICs come pre-packaged as ISAs. Alternatively, you can choose for yourself which investments and funds to put in your ISA.

​

Workplace pension - A way of investing for the future, with a ‘top-up’ contribution from your employer and tax relief from the government. Your money is invested in pooled funds.

​

Personal pension - A way of investing for the future, with tax relief on your personal contributions from the government. Your money is invested in pooled funds. You can use a personal pension if you don’t have access to a workplace pension. You don’t want to miss out on your employer’s contributions.

​

Investment bonds - A life insurance contract that is also an investment vehicle. You invest for a set term or until you die.

​

Endowment policies - A life insurance policy that is also an investment vehicle. It aims to give you a lump sum at the end of a fixed term. Often you choose which investment funds to have in your policy.

​

Whole-of-life policies - A way of investing a regular amount or a lump sum as life insurance. It pays out on death, and is often used for estate planning. Often you choose which investment funds to have in your policy.