A £5-a-day stock market plan for a 4-figure second income stream

Jon Smith talks through the process of generating income from the stock market even with a modest regular amount, benefitting from compounding.

| More on:
DIVIDEND YIELD text written on a notebook with chart

Image source: Getty Images

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.

Some people think they need tens of thousands of pounds before it makes sense to invest in the stock market. This simply isn’t the case, as even modest sums can grow over time, especially if the stocks bought can generate good returns via divdiend payments.

Here’s how an investor can make a passive income with just £5 a day.

Points to remember

Given the costs of buying a stock via a broker or investment platform, buying a new stock with £5 each day doesn’t make sense. Rather, I think it’s better to put the £5 away each day in an ISA or other account. At the end of each month, the accumulated money can then be used to purchase a stock. Typically, this would mean using £150 saved to buy it. This means that the fee is much more manageable and makes it worthwhile.

If an investor focused on buying dividend stocks, they could target an average dividend yield of 6%-8%. At the moment, there are 43 different companies in the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 with a yield above 6%, so there’s plenty to choose from.

If we assume the investor continued putting the £5 away each day and made it a habit, things could grow over time. For example, with an average portfolio yield of 7%, after seven years the pot could be worth £16.4k, having generated £1,042 in dividends that year. Up to that point, the dividends would have been reinvested. This helps to compound gains faster.

Of course, dividends aren’t guaranteed. Companies can have good years and bad years, and during bad years, there’s the risk that the dividend gets cut. In that case, reaching a four-figure passive income could take longer.

A high-yield property option

Another key part of the strategy is picking the right companies. One to consider is Workspace Group (LSE:WKP). The real estate investment trust (REIT) owns and manages flexible office space and business premises.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

The core business model revolves around collecting rental income from the tenants. However, it also aims to benefit from the property values increasing by refurbishing and redeveloping assets.

Over the past year, the stock’s down 18%, which might worry some investors. This has mainly been due to falling office values across London, which have been under pressure due to weaker demand.

Even though this remains a risk going forward, I think we will see businesses continuing to push for a return to office working for many employees in the coming years. Therefore, the move lower in the stock, which has acted to bump up the dividend yield, could be a dip to consider buying.

As for the dividend, it’s remained steady despite the portfolio’s decline in value. The latest half-year results showed underlying net rental income of £58.6m, the same as a year ago. This gives me confidence that the payments can be continued.

Overall, I think it’s a stock to be considered as part of the broader aim of building up a passive income from the stock market.

Jon Smith has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. 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 Dividend Shares

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How big an ISA do you need to target £2,000 a month of passive income?

Is it possible to earn a couple of thousand pounds per month in passive income from an ISA? Our writer…

Read more »

Snowing on Jubilee Gardens in London at dusk
Investing Articles

By January 2027, £1,000 invested in Diageo shares could be worth…

How much might a stake in Diageo shares be worth by next January? Here's what the analysts expect for the…

Read more »

Close-up of British bank notes
Investing Articles

How much would someone need in the stock market to earn a £500 weekly second income?

Fancy earning a weekly second income of hundreds of pounds from owning blue-chip dividend shares? Christopher Ruane explores how that…

Read more »

Close-up of a woman holding modern polymer ten, twenty and fifty pound notes.
Investing Articles

Want to earn £1k each month in dividends from an ISA? Here’s how

An ISA can be a long-term money spinner when it comes to passive income in the form of dividends. Christopher…

Read more »

ISA Individual Savings Account
Investing Articles

Stocks and Shares ISA vs Cash ISA: how much to target a £10,000 passive income?

Mark Hartley reveals how policy changes have ramped up the appeal of a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2026 and…

Read more »

British flag, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and British flag composition
Investing Articles

With a P/E ratio of 12 and an 8.55% dividend yield, are Taylor Wimpey shares a no-brainer?

Taylor Wimpey shares offer one of the biggest dividend yields on the London Stock Exchange. But are they truly worth…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Starting 2026 with £20k? Here’s how to try and turn that into a second income

How can investors get the most bang for their buck with second income in 2026? Our Foolish author explains one…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Prediction: in 2026 the BP share price and dividend could turn £10,000 into…

Harvey Jones says the BP share price can be turbulent but with buybacks and dividends on offer, it should help…

Read more »