Investing is most powerful when you give it time. At InvestEngine, we focus on long-term investing- not trying to time the market or chase short-term gains.
Investing vs saving
If you need access to your money in the next year or two, a savings account might be more appropriate. But if you're thinking in terms of 3+ years, investing could be a better fit. The longer you stay invested, the better.*
That’s because the longer your money is invested, the more time it has to*:
- Grow through market returns
- Recover from short-term dips
- Benefit from the power of compounding
*This is not guaranteed and past performance is not indicative of future return
A minimum of 3–5 years
While there’s no hard rule, many investors aim to stay invested for at least 3–5 years. That gives your money time to ride out market ups and downs and grow steadily over time.
If you can invest for 10, 20, or even 30 years, your investments have the potential to grow further, and using tax-efficient accounts like ISAs and SIPPs, can support you growing your wealth (read more on Tax-Free Investing here). It's important to note this is dependent on personal circumstances, your risk appetite and financial goals.
Your capital may go up and down when investing.
What if I need my money sooner?
You can withdraw your money from InvestEngine at any time,your money is never locked in. But selling your investments during a market dip might mean taking a loss.
It’s always worth thinking about your time horizon and financial goals before investing. You can always chat these through with a financial advisor if you’d like additional support.
Building confidence for the long haul
You don’t need to be an expert to invest for the long term. Our DIY Portfolios give you full control, while our Managed Portfolios do the work for you- all using low-cost, diversified ETFs.
Need more help deciding?
Check out Passive vs Active Investing to learn more about our approach and how it might fit with your investing style.