Here’s why September could be a great time to start a Stocks and Shares ISA

I wonder how many people, like me, still haven’t got their 2024 Stocks and Shares ISA going properly yet? Best not leave it too late.

| More on:

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.

Middle-aged black male working at home desk

Image source: Getty Images

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.

For many of us, there are two times each year when we think mostly about investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA.

When we get close to the start of April and the end of the ISA year, there can be a last-minute panic to use as much of our ISA allowance as we can.

But it’s too late to invest any of the money we’ve spent over the year. And that’s money that we might have invested instead had we focused on it a bit earlier.

Should you invest £1,000 in BT right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if BT made the list?

See the 6 stocks

New Year resolutions

And then when the deadline rush is over, we relax a bit. But then we soon start thinking about how we’ll manage better this year. Well, I do, don’t you?

And that’s the second time, when we get into May and June full of good intentions. It’s like the New Year resolutions of the ISA world. But summer’s coming, and… well, there’s ages to go until next April.

No rush, the weather’s improving, and we might fancy a quick holiday.

Tough year

The past few years brought the extra pains of inflation and interest rates.

But as we hit September, it looks increasingly like we could be at a pivot point. Inflation is down, and we’ve already had one interest rate cut.

And money is starting to flow back into the stock market. The FTSE 100 has climbed 12% in the past 12 months, and it seems to be holding well above the 8,000 point level.

We’ve missed some of the best stock bargains. But then, I think we face a bit less risk now. That’s the way it balances.

Cheap shares

The stock market headlines are full of high-flying stocks, like AI darling Nvidia. But for my Stocks and Shares ISA I’ve always looked for buy-and-forget shares, like Lloyds Banking Group (LSE: LLOY).

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Lloyds Banking Group Plc PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALLwww.fool.co.uk

We can see the rough decade that bank stocks have had. And that’s a hint to future risk too. In tough times, financial stocks can be among the worst to suffer.

The share price has done quite well so far in 2024. But we still see Lloyds shares valued at a low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of about 9.5, and dropping on future forecasts.

The forward dividend yield is at 5% now, which is decent. It can’t be guaranteed, but analysts expect it to rise.

The economic risk of the past decade is far from over. But as a stock to stash away in an ISA for 20 years or so and forget, I think Lloyds is a good one to consider.

Buy the market?

I generally think going for a nice spread across the whole stock market can make sense.

I’d be tempted to add pharmaceuticals firm GSK. The sector goes through cyclical tough spells, but long-term demand has to be positive.

And then a housebuilder, maybe Taylor Wimpey. I already bought some Persimmon shares, and they show the short-term risks with this sector. But again, it’s a business with long-term demand.

That’s just a start, and I see plenty of buy-and-hold possibilities across a diversified set of sectors to build my Stocks and Shares ISA.

And I do think the prospects for UK shares look brighter than usual at the moment.

Should you buy BT shares today?

Before you decide, please take a moment to review this first.

Because my colleague Mark Rogers – The Motley Fool UK’s Director of Investing – has released this special report.

It’s called ‘5 Stocks for Trying to Build Wealth After 50’.

And it’s yours, free.

Of course, the decade ahead looks hazardous. What with inflation recently hitting 40-year highs, a ‘cost of living crisis’ and threat of a new Cold War, knowing where to invest has never been trickier.

And yet, despite the UK stock market recently hitting a new all-time high, Mark and his team think many shares still trade at a substantial discount, offering savvy investors plenty of potential opportunities to strike.

That’s why now could be an ideal time to secure this valuable investment research.

Mark’s ‘Foolish’ analysts have scoured the markets low and high.

This special report reveals 5 of his favourite long-term ‘Buys’.

Please, don’t make any big decisions before seeing them.

Claim your free copy now

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.

Alan Oscroft has positions in Lloyds Banking Group Plc and Persimmon Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended GSK and Lloyds Banking Group Plc. 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.

Like buying £1 for 51p

This seems ridiculous, but we almost never see shares looking this cheap. Yet this recent ‘Best Buy Now’ has a price/book ratio of 0.51. In plain English, this means that investors effectively get in on a business that holds £1 of assets for every 51p they invest!

Of course, this is the stock market where money is always at risk — these valuations can change and there are no guarantees. But some risks are a LOT more interesting than others, and at The Motley Fool we believe this company is amongst them.

What’s more, it currently boasts a stellar dividend yield of around 8.5%, and right now it’s possible for investors to jump aboard at near-historic lows. Want to get the name for yourself?

See the full investment case

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Are shares like Tesco a safe haven for investors?

Christopher Ruane sees a lot to like about Tesco shares. But does he see them as a safe heaven in…

Read more »

Young mixed-race woman looking out of the window with a look of consternation on her face
Investing Articles

The 2025 stock market sell-off could be a once-in-a-decade opportunity to build wealth in an ISA

If a long-term investor has cash sitting in an investment ISA, now could be a good time to put some…

Read more »

pensive bearded business man sitting on chair looking out of the window
Investing Articles

Is now a good time to start buying shares?

Stock market turbulence can be alarming, but it can also offer opportunity. Our writer considers whether now could be the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Hunting for passive income? These falling insurance giants offer 10% yields

The UK insurance sector is typically a good place to look for attractive dividend yields. Dr James Fox details two…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Considering a Stocks and Shares ISA this April? Avoid these mistakes!

When opening a Stocks and Shares ISA for the first time, it's easy to fall foul of some costly mistakes.…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

With global markets down 10%+ investors should remember this legendary quote from Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is the greatest investor of all time. And he says that the best time to buy shares is…

Read more »

Investing Articles

I asked ChatGPT for the best safe havens in the FTSE 100 amid Trump’s tariffs 

Our writer isn't convinced by the answers that AI assistant ChatGPT rattled off when asked about solid FTSE 100 defensive…

Read more »

Bus waiting in front of the London Stock Exchange on a sunny day.
Investing Articles

2 world-class shares to consider buying in the market sell-off

Looking for blue-chip shares to buy amid the market chaos? Here are two high-quality businesses that Edward Sheldon sees potential…

Read more »