How to invest The Which? investment portfolios
How to invest £10,000
When it comes to investing, defining your attitude to risk isn't easy, and only you can decide how cautious or adventurous you are with your money.
Our portfolios are uniquely designed to show not only how much you could gain, but how much you could potentially lose, based on an investment of £10,000. They show you:
- How much you could potentially lose in one year
- What mix of assets you will need for each level of risk
- How much you could earn over a number of periods (in today's money)
- What might happen to your money if the stock markets take a dip
We have built eight portfolios, each with a different asset allocation and level of risk. Click through each to find out the mix of assets and hover over an asset to find out more about each of them.
Select a level of risk
Cash
95.5%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
2%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
1%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
0%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
0.5%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
0.5%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
0%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
0.5%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
0%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
0%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £10,212 | £11,114 | £15,090 | £57,333 |
| Lowest return | £10,120 | £10,637 | £12,303 | £21,008 |
Cash
39.5%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
21%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
11.5%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
1%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
8%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
7%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
2%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
7%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
1%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
2%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £10,549 | £11,937 | £17,514 | £78,401 |
| Lowest return | £9,255 | £9,861 | £13,218 | £33,582 |
Cash
7%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
33%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
18%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
1%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
12.5%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
10%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
3%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
10.5%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
2%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
3%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £10,734 | £12,402 | £18,948 | £92,864 |
| Lowest return | £8,775 | £9,160 | £12,517 | £37,024 |
Cash
0%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
27%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
15%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
1%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
13%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
13%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
5%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
17.5%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
3%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
5.5%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £10,941 | £12,927 | £20,664 | £117,128 |
| Lowest return | £8,184 | £8,333 | £11,320 | £33,546 |
Cash
0%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
18%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
10%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
0%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
12.5%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
15.5%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
7%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
24.5%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
4.5%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
8%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £11,124 | £13,930 | £22,229 | £143,737 |
| Lowest return | £7,623 | £7,510 | £9,898 | £28,815 |
Cash
0%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
10.5%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
6%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
0%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
12%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
17.5%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
8.5%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
30%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
5.5%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
10%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £11,275 | £13,785 | £23,600 | £169,839 |
| Lowest return | £7,162 | £6,842 | £8,949 | £24,453 |
Cash
0%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
2%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
1.5%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
0%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
11%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
19.5%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
10.5%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
37%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
6.5%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
12%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £11,448 | £14,249 | £25,246 | £205,077 |
| Lowest return | £6,663 | £6,203 | £7,816 | £18,942 |
Cash
0%Cash
Seen as the lowest risk asset class, and often has the lowest potential return. You can invest in cash through savings accounts, Isas and money market funds. more info
Gilts
0%UK Gilts
Also known as government bonds - essentially loans to the UK government in return for a fixed rate of interest. more info
UK Corporate
0%UK Corporate Bonds
Loans to large companies in return for a fixed rate of interest. The rate paid depends of the health of the company you lend your money to and its ability to repay its debt. more info
High Yield Corporate
0%High yield corporate bonds
The companies you lend your money to are less well known and are at greater risk of defaulting on their repayments, so interest rates are higher. more info
Property
0%Property
Investing in commercial property - like shopping centres and office blocks - give you the chance to grow your money through rental payments and increases in the value of the properties. more info
UK Equity
17.5%UK equities
Shares in British companies. Your money grows through increases in share prices and dividends - a share in the profits of the company. Often seen as some of the most reliable shares to invest in. more info
European Equity
13%EU equities
Shares of firms in developed parts of Europe, such as France, Germany and Spain and are seen as slightly riskier than UK equities, though companies are often well developed and high quality. more info
US Equity
46%US equities
Some of the biggest companies in the world operate in the US, and your money will be invested in shares firms like Microsoft, Apple and Nike. Slightly riskier than European equities. more info
Japanese Equity
8.5%Japanese equities
Shares in Japanese companies round out what’s known as ‘developed market equities’, along with the UK, US and Europe. Seen as the riskiest developed equities. more info
Emerging Market Equity
15%Emerging markets equities
Seen as the riskiest type of shares and largest growth potential. You’ll be invested in companies in countries like, Brazil, China, India and Russia. Share prices will be much more volatile. more info
| 3 years | 7 years | 15 years | 40 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expected growth | £11,558 | £14,501 | £26,057 | £224,591 |
| Lowest return | £6,111 | £5,441 | £6,607 | £13,583 |
Level of risk (%) - This indicates how much you could lose in one bad year. In the long term you would expect to have good and bad years, and no portfolio can be completely immune from that. Our lowest risk portfolio has a 5% potential loss, so if you're investing £10,000, you must accept that you could lose around £500 in a bad year. Our highest risk portfolio has a 40% potential loss, so you would need to be comfortable knowing your £10,000 could lose £4,000 in a bad year.
Our portfolios work on the basis that there's a 95% chance of losing no more than these amounts in any given year. There are no guarantees, but it gives you a clear idea of how much of your money would be at risk, as well as how it might grow.
Expected growth - How much we expect a £10,000 investment to grow to over 3, 7, 15 and 40 years.
Lowest return - What you could end up with if our expected growth didn't happen. There's a 5% chance the portfolios will grow by less than this.
SEEK ADVICE
These portfolios do not constitute financial advice. They should be used to help you have an informed discussion with an independent financial adviser, who can talk through all of your financial needs and options.
Seeking advice also gives you an avenue to complain through the Financial Ombudsman Service if you're unhappy with the recommendations you've received. Find out more in our guide to choosing a financial adviser for more.
INVESTMENT RISK
The expected growth and potential losses expressed in the portfolios are based on forecasts for future performance. They are not guaranteed, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up.
Data source
Source: This information is based on product risk modelling by Barrie & Hibbert and the portfolios were last updated in January 2013.
