We don’t support this browser anymore.
This means our website may not look and work as you would expect. Read more about browsers and how to update them here.

Skip to main content
  • Register
  • Help
  • Contact us
  • A A A
  • Do women make better investors?

    We take a look at how each gender invests and who does best.

    Important notes

    This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether an investment is right for you please seek advice. If you choose to invest the value of your investment will rise and fall, so you could get back less than you put in.

    This article is more than 6 months old

    It was correct at the time of publishing. Our views and any references to tax, investment and pension rules may have changed since then.

    When it comes to investing, men and women have far more similarities than differences.

    Funds from the Hargreaves Lansdown Wealth 150 list are popular with both genders. Individual shares tend to include larger companies such as those listed in the FTSE 100 – a list of the 100 largest companies on the stock market.

    However, there are a few small differences. And those little differences can add up to big sums of money when spread over a long period.

    Who’s the better investor?

    Over the three years from August 2014 to August 2017, female HL clients have, on average, seen the value of their investments grow 0.81% more than their male counterparts each year.

    That might not sound like a lot, but over a lifetime it all adds up.

    If that performance were replicated over a 30 year period, women would, on average, end up with 25% more than men.

    Effect of 0.81% outperformance over 30 years

    This is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investments fall as well as rise in value so you could get back less than you invest.

    Source: Hargreaves Lansdown, 31 August 2017

    Best of both worlds?

    However, while women may have overall outperformed men over our three year period, linked accounts, where more than one investor has access to an account, have performed better still.

    That suggests to us that the best investing strategy draws a little from both genders.

    The little differences that matter

    So what typically sets male and female investors apart?

    Well, it’s difficult to say with certainty, but from looking at the numbers we can see a few traits that might help explain things.

    To get the full details, download our report now.

    Please correct the following errors before you continue:

      Existing client? Please log in to your account to automatically fill in the details below.

      Address not shown above? Enter your address manually
      This literature is for UK investors only. We are not authorised to send our literature to areas outside the jurisdiction of UK regulation and will be unable to send this literature to any address in the Channel Islands or outside the UK.




      This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Loading

      Please confirm that you wish to continue:

      Loading

      Important notes

      This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether an investment is right for you please seek advice. If you choose to invest the value of your investment will rise and fall, so you could get back less than you put in.

      Editor's choice – our weekly email

      Sign up to receive the week's top investment stories from Hargreaves Lansdown. Including:

      • Latest comment on economies and markets
      • Expert investment research
      • Financial planning tips
      Sign up

      Related articles

      Category: Pensions

      Property and pensions – will your rental income be enough in retirement?

      Rent prices have increased to record highs, but what does it mean for landlords who are banking on that income for retirement?

      Alex Mears-Jennings

      31 Oct 2023 3 min read

      No results were found

      Cash vs investing – where should investors look when the interest rate cycle turns?

      With the interest rate cycle nearing its peak, we look at cash versus investing in the stock market, and where investors could look for opportunities.

      Emma Wall

      27 Oct 2023 6 min read

      Category: Pensions

      How long will my pension last?

      With the number of people living to 100 reaching a new record high, we look at different strategies for making your pension last as long as your retirement.

      Isabel McDougall

      26 Oct 2023 3 min read

      Category: Markets

      Next week on the stock market

      What to expect from a selection of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and selected other companies reporting next week.

      Sophie Lund-Yates

      06 Oct 2023 4 min read