Millennials look for “quick wins” for their ISA portfolio, while the baby-boomer generation investing for income, according to data from The Share Centre.
Millennials’ investments made through the platform were “highly geared for growth”, says Helal Miah, investment research analyst at The Share Centre.
Baby boomers, meanwhile, are much more income-oriented with nine of their top 10 most popular picks yielding more than 3%. This is not surprising given most of this generation are considering or approaching retirement age, says Miah.
With the end of the tax year closing in, Morningstar asked The Share Centre which stocks millennials, aged 18-36, and baby boomers, aged 60 plus, had invested in since April 6 2017.
Millennials’ Stock Picks
The energy and mining sector was a big focus for the younger generation, who potentially have a time horizon of at least 25 years to generate growth in their portfolios. These smaller companies have the possibility of giving them a “quick win” as Miah defines it.
Half of the millennials’ best buy list have market values of less than £100 million, with 88 Energy (88E) and UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) the two most-purchased companies. The pair’s fortunes have differed in the timeframe, with the former down 42% and the latter up 47%.
However, 88 Energy did manage to climb 43% by mid-June 2017. UKOG – which owns the Horse Hill Development in Surrey, known as the Gatwick Gusher – at one point soared 650% - a quick win if you’d timed it right – before spectacularly falling back to earth.
Gold miner Greatland Gold (GGP), the fourth most purchased, had similar fortunes. Though its share price currently remains twice as much as it did in May, it had risen almost ninefold by January this year.
Other small resource firms in the list include Echo Energy (ECHO) and Ascent Resources (AST). But it’s not just the minor outfits. FTSE 250-listed potash miner Sirius Minerals (SXX) also makes an appearance.
Elsewhere, the £2 billion online retailer boohoo.com (BOO), which has shot the lights out since listing in mid-2014 takes its place. As does chipmaker IQE (IQE), one of the most-shorted UK stocks.
Two additions to millennials’ portfolios which bucked the high growth trend were dividend-paying blue chips Lloyds (LLOY) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Baby Boomers’ Stock Picks
The last two equities featured on the millennials’ top 10 list were the two most popular investments for the baby boomers. Lloyds currently yields around 4%, but is predicted to pay out more in the near future; while drug maker Glaxo pays out more than 6%.
Utilities National Grid (NG.) and United Utilities (UU.) both yield in excess of 5.5% and take their place, while oil majors – paying more than 6% – are fourth and fifth most bought stocks.
Telecoms specialist Vodafone (VOD) and brewer Marston’s (MARS) yield 5.8% and 7% respectively while consumer goods behemoth Unilever (ULVR) is at a more modest 3.23%, but is part of the bond proxy group of shares, meaning its pays a perceived stable dividend.
The one surprise name in the baby boomers’ list was UKOG, the oil and gas developer that saw exponential share price growth at one point, but is now almost back at square one.
“With the exception of UK Oil & Gas, these are companies that are less speculative and well-established names that provide baby boomers with stability and a relatively steady stream of capital,” says Miah.