How I’d invest £5k in top tech stocks right now

Jon Smith explains how he’d mix up top tech stocks in his portfolio, picking some established names and some newer ones too.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Tech is a sector that has been performing exceptionally well in recent years. The Nasdaq index is where most of the large tech names have their primary listings. It has tripled in value over the past five years. By contrast, the FTSE 100 has risen by 3% over this same period. So if I was thinking about investing £5k in top tech stocks at the moment, here’s what I’d do.

Sticking with the big guns

Firstly, there’s no getting away from the tech giants that dominate when you look at market capitalisation. A good measurement here is that there are currently five companies in the world that have a value above £1trn. Four of these are tech companies.

I’d definitely allocate some of my £5k to these top tech stocks, namely Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon. These companies are popular for a reason. The customer base, the product set and the hold on the market that these stocks have is clear. Even though growth in coming years will likely be slower than the past (due to the size of the companies), I still think having funds in these shares is the way to go.

The potential risk is that these stocks are overvalued. Yet I think this can be applied to the entire tech industry. To a certain extent, it’s something that I just need to accept and live with. These same stocks were being flagged up pre-pandemic as being overvalued. Since then, the shares have continued to rise. 

Investing in specific top tech stocks

With the rest of my £5k, I’d focus on different themes that I believe in. These include the metaverse, cybersecurity and electric vehicles (EVs).

The metaverse is the virtual reality that’s being brought to life by various businesses. I think that any stock that’s related to this area (either directly or indirectly) is worth considering. The potential growth of this virtual reality is huge. It ranges from education to gaming, sport and much more.

Cybersecurity is another area that I’d pick top tech stocks for. With our increasing reliance on the internet, hacking is very lucrative. Therefore, I think companies that offer protection could do well in the future. 

Finally, EVs. Although I’ve been a vocal critic of Tesla, I do think there’s value in this sub-sector. The tech that’s going into these vehicles is incredible. I’d prefer to invest in relative newcomers such as Lucid Motors and Rivian.

Allocating funds for potential further growth

I’ll need to be mindful of the high volatility that comes with such stocks. Ultimately, in the pursuit of higher returns, I have to accept this.

Overall, I’d allocate £2k to the large established tech names. For the remaining £3k, I’d split it between the three sectors mentioned above. I feel that this gives me a diversified mix of companies even under the same umbrella of tech. 

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Jon Smith has no position in any share mentioned. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft. 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.

More on Investing Articles

Grey cat peeking out from inside a cardboard box in a house
Investing Articles

Just released: April’s latest small-cap stock recommendation [PREMIUM PICKS]

We believe the UK small-cap market offers a myriad of opportunities across a wide range of different businesses and industries.

Read more »

Fireworks display in the shape of willow at Newcastle, Co. Down , Northern Ireland at Halloween.
Investing Articles

The Anglo American share price soars to £25, but I’m not selling!

On Thursday, the Anglo American share price soared after mega-miner BHP Group made an unsolicited bid for it. But I…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Now 70p, is £1 the next stop for the Vodafone share price?

The Vodafone share price is back to 70p, but it's a long way short of the 97p it hit in…

Read more »

Concept of two young professional men looking at a screen in a technological data centre
Investing Articles

If I’d put £5,000 in Nvidia stock at the start of 2024, here’s what I’d have now

Nvidia stock was a massive winner in 2023 as the AI chipmaker’s profits surged across the year. How has it…

Read more »

Light bulb with growing tree.
Investing Articles

3 top investment trusts that ‘green’ up my Stocks and Shares ISA

I’ll be buying more of these investment trusts for my Stocks and Shares ISA given the sustainable and stable returns…

Read more »

Investing Articles

8.6% or 7.2%? Does the Legal & General or Aviva dividend look better?

The Aviva dividend tempts our writer. But so does the payout from Legal & General. Here he explains why he'd…

Read more »

a couple embrace in front of their new home
Investing Articles

Are Persimmon shares a bargain hiding in plain sight?

Persimmon shares have struggled in 2024, so far. But today's trading update suggests sentiment in the housing market's already improving.

Read more »

Market Movers

Here’s why the Unilever share price is soaring after Q1 earnings

Stephen Wright isn’t surprised to see the Unilever share price rising as the company’s Q1 results show it’s executing on…

Read more »