ISA investing through regular monthly sums hits new high - and is poised for the January Jump

• The number of people saving regularly into ISAs with Hargreaves Lansdown has risen 40% in less than two years, to 74,010.
• As we head into the January Jump, we expect to see even more investors embrace the benefits of regular investment.
• During this annual phenomenon we see a major uplift in investor activity. More investors go online to check their investments, more top up their accounts, and a higher proportion commit to regular investments.

In November, the number of people saving regularly into stocks and shares ISAs with Hargreaves Lansdown hit a new high of 74,010. That’s up 24% since November last year, and 40% since January 2016.

The average sum invested each month is also up – from £304 at the beginning of 2017, to £312 in November.

We expect to see even more investors benefit from the advantages of regular savings when we hit the annual ‘January Jump’.

Sarah Coles, personal finance analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown:

"Each January, gym car parks are at capacity and it’s standing room only at the slimming clubs. Investors aren’t immune to the idea of a new start for the New Year either, so every year we see a phenomenon called the January Jump."

"More people visit the website than any other time outside tax year end. There are also more people topping up their investment accounts. However, unlike their gym-joining, dieting counterparts, investors know how to make their resolutions stick, because January also sees a higher proportion of people committing to regular investments."

"Regular monthly savings are a great way to get into investments. Instead of needing a large lump sum to get started, you can invest from £25 a month: less than £1 a day. By drip feeding your money into stock market ISAs, you will also take advantage of their downs as well as their ups, through what’s known as pound cost averaging. If you invest a fixed sum every month you will be able to buy more units when a fund’s value falls, providing the potential for greater profits when they have risen in value."

Top ten most popular funds for regular ISA investments (in alphabetical order)

Fundsmith Equity

Invesco Perpetual High Income

Jupiter India

Lindsell Train Global Equity

Lindsell Train UK Equity

Marlborough UK Micro Cap Growth

Standard Life Investments Global Smaller Companies

Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders

Woodford Equity Income

Woodford Income Focus

Source: Hargreaves Lansdown