The Verdict
Average Success Rate
Charles Stanley 5-Year Avg The following dataset includes the performances of ready-made portfolios/funds offered by investment platforms and may include both actively and passively managed ready-made portfolios/funds. Performance indicated is also net of all fees to 31st January 2024, unless stated otherwise; any tiered fee structure will be disclosed. Ready-made portfolios/funds that include cryptocurrencies or any other securities outside cash and equities are not included in the dataset. The dataset only includes ready-made portfolios/funds which are explicitly advertised by their respective platforms as being for ‘beginners’, and which are exclusively offered by the platform itself. Funds which are managed by other providers and may be identically offered across multiple platforms were not included in this dataset. For example, the Vanguard UK All Share Acc. ETF was offered by Plum, but as it is not directly managed by Plum and customers could reasonably access it on multiple platforms, it was not included for the purposes of this research. Other discretely advertised securities or investments are not included.
Industry avg. The industry average is the median average of all fund/ready-made portfolio performance figures we collated from 23 investment providers. To see the full dataset, visit X page.
Charles Stanley offers a really wide range of services for both DIY investors and those looking for a managed service.
As a DIY investor, you'll get excellent educational materials, research tools and data, including in-house broker analysis and forecasts, as well as the option to add personalised financial planning from Charles Stanley professionals, which can be a bonus if you're not confident making investment decisions entirely by yourself.
The choice of stocks you can invest is isn't as large as that offered by providers such as interactive investor, Saxo Markets and AJ Bell but it's extensive enough to serve most investors.
A ready-made portfolio is a pre-made collection of investments that have been put together by investment experts. They are designed to be a simple option for those who don’t want to choose individual stocks or funds for themselves.Ready-made portfolio
performance hasn't been spectacular. Over the past five years, the ready-made portfolios recommended as suggestions for those who don't want to pick their own individual assets have averaged 24.2% vs the industry average of 24.8%. The more adventurous funds have done better, but the cautious fund has fallen far below the industry average: something to consider if you are drawn to a ready-made solution.
So what about fees? Charles Stanley's headline annual fees are competitive and have recently been lowered to 0.30%. Good news, right? Well, not necessarily, because alongside this fee reduction has come a rise in the account fee minimum and maximum payments. Whereas the maximum you previously paid was capped at £240 per year, it's now £600. I used to say Charles Stanley was incredibly good value for large value portfolio holders. And for those with £500k+, it is still a potentially very cheap investment platform. However, those with less could find other platforms better value, particularly as there is now a minimum annual fee of £60 too.
In addition to that, dealing fees for stocks and ETFs are also some of the highest around (£10.00 per trade), and since the fee changes came into play, you'll also have to pay £4 to trade funds (except Charles Stanley Multi-Asset Funds, which have remained free). FX fees for trades under £10k in value are also high (1%) so if you're regularly trading non-GBP assets, you won't find this a cheap platform.
All-in-all, this isn't a bargain brand, but if you value personalised service and have a large portfolio, then you might feel it's still good value for money.
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Pros
- Fees can work out good value on large portfolios
- No dealing fees on funds
- Superb research content
- In-house financial planning services
- Capital Gains Report available on request - helpful for tax returns
- All account holders receive £50 worth of trading credits every six months, in April and October
Cons
- Below average performance on ready-made portfolios for cautious and moderate risk rated portfolios
- Very high dealing fees for trading stocks
- High FX fees
- Trading platform isn't the most user-friendly
- Larger choice of assets at other providers
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Charles Stanley 5-Year Avg 
Industry avg. 
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Verdict 
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