Here’s how I’d invest in an ISA in 2021 to capitalise on a stock market recovery

Investing in sound businesses with sensible growth strategies could be a worthwhile means of capitalising on a stock market recovery via an ISA, in my view.

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Investing money in an ISA in 2021 could be a sound means of taking advantage of a likely long-term stock market recovery. However, risks continue to face many UK shares at the present time. Therefore, it may take a number of years for the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 to return to their pre-coronavirus levels.

As such, focusing on financially-sound businesses with sound long-term strategies could be the best means of generating high returns in 2021 and beyond.

Investing in an ISA for a stock market recovery

The uncertain economic outlook means that ISAs containing companies with solid financial positions may be able to benefit the most from a long-term stock market recovery. After all, there are a number of risks that currently face a wide range of industries. They include Brexit and coronavirus. Both of them are currently ongoing and are likely to have some impact on investor sentiment in the first part of 2021. And possibly over a longer timeframe.

As such, investing money in businesses with low debt levels, large interest coverage ratios and a track record of outperforming sector peers during challenging periods for the industry could be a shrewd move. Such companies may stand a better chance of surviving short-term risks in 2021. They may, therefore, be able to enjoy stronger growth within an ISA in a likely long-term stock market recovery.

Sound growth strategies for 2021 and beyond

As well as buying financially-sound businesses in an ISA in 2021, companies with solid growth strategies may outperform their peers in a sustained stock market recovery. For example, those businesses that are currently seeking to adapt to likely long-term changes in consumer tastes caused by the coronavirus pandemic may be in a strong position to improve upon their competitive advantages. This may translate into higher profitability as the world economy returns to strong GDP growth in the coming years.

Furthermore, companies that have a track record of adapting to changing market conditions may be attractive to ISA investors in 2021. They may be able to overcome potential threats over the coming months that could have a negative impact on rivals who are less able to adjust their business models in a short space of time.

The likelihood of a stock market rally

Of course, a stock market recovery may fail to materialise in the coming months, or indeed during the course of 2021. As mentioned, threats facing the world economy could weigh on share prices and cause ISA valuations to come under pressure.

However, through buying companies with solid finances and sound growth strategies, an investor may be able to build an ISA that has the potential to benefit from a likely stock market rise over the coming years. In doing so, they could improve their long-term financial prospects.

Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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