Young female investors’ pots ‘nearly £4,600 bigger than those belonging to men’

Young female investors are building portfolios that are typically £4,590 bigger than investments held by young men, according to data from Lloyds.

The bank’s analysis was based on customers aged 18 to 25 who were holding an Invest Wise account, as at April 30.

The average Invest Wise investment portfolio for young women is £14,040, which is 49% more than the average for young men, at £9,450, Lloyds said.

Young women are also more likely to be “engaged” investors, the research indicated, meaning they have taken steps such as funding accounts and carrying out trading and investment activity.

More than two thirds (69%) of female Invest Wise account holders were classed as active investors, compared with just 56% of men.

But despite having higher levels of engagement and bigger average investment pots, the Lloyds’ investment platform data also indicated that young women account for less than a third (32%) of investors.

Lauren Gradys, an investment specialist at Lloyds, said: “One of the most striking findings is that while young women are less likely to invest than men, those who do are often highly engaged and building larger portfolios.”

She added: “Getting started doesn’t have to mean investing large sums of money or becoming an expert overnight.

“Making investing simpler, easier to understand and more accessible can help more people feel comfortable beginning their investment journey.”