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The married couple with a £1.2 million Isa

SAVINGS: A husband and wife team prove it is possible to build up an impressive Isa portfolio over 12 years
March 14, 2011

A husband and wife team who are clients of Bestinvest have over £1 million invested in individual savings accounts (Isas). They wish to remain anonymous. However, Adrian Lowcock, senior investment adviser with Bestinvest, says: "They started investing in Isas in 1999, and on the whole I would say no they didn't take on high levels of risk, but had exposure to all markets during the last 12 years and have frequently rebalanced their portfolio in that time.

"The couple's investment objectives are currently growth but with moderate risk. Their investment strategy is one of diversification across a range of different asset classes. Even though they are looking for growth they have significant exposure to fixed income, equity income as well as absolute-return funds. This will help to drive the long-term growth of the portfolio and reduce losses when markets take a turn for the worse. The investment selection has been with a long-term focus in mind, recently transactions that have been made have been to reduce some holdings which have performed well and became a bit too large for the portfolio. By taking a patient longer-term approach they have been able to build up an Isa portfolio of over £1,200,000."

£1.2m Isa portfolio details:

Fund name % of portfolio
Advance Developing Markets 6.27
Alliance Trust 3.76
AXA Framlington UK Select Opps3.48
BNP US Enhanced Income 4.73
Cash2.68
Cazenove European B1.92
Cazenove UK Growth and Income 4.88
I-P Corporate Bond 5.91
Ignis Argonaut European Income 3.83
Henderson UK Property 0.65
Investec Enhanced Natural Resources 3.92
Ishares FTSE1002.03
JPM Natural Resources3.33
Jupiter European 4.15
M&G American 3.20
Legal and General Dynamic Bond 4.01
M&G Strategic Corporate Bond7.98
Blackrock UK Special Situations2.22
OM UK Select Smaller 3.16
Aberdeen World Growth 6.89
Schroder Income Maxmiser7.57
First State Asia Pacific Leaders 1.97
Standard Life Global Absolute Return Strategies 3.38
Thames River 1.71
Trojan Fund6.39