Young women build larger portfolios than young men, Lloyds data shows

Young women who invest are building significantly larger portfolios and are more likely to actively manage their investments than their male counterparts, according to new data from Lloyds Bank. The findings from the bank's Invest Wise platform, which targets investors aged 18 to 25, reveal that while women represent only 32 percent of users in this age bracket, their average portfolio value stands at £14,040.

This figure is 49 percent higher than the £9,450 average held by young men. Furthermore, 69 percent of young female Invest Wise account holders are classified as active investors, compared to 56 percent of young men, suggesting that lower participation, rather than a lack of engagement, may be the key issue among younger women.

Broader analysis of new Lloyds investment customers across all age groups shows that women often adopt a more measured approach when starting to invest. On average, it takes women 17 days to fund new investment accounts after opening, compared to 13 days for men. Women also made fewer trades (1.22 on average) in their first 90 days compared to men (1.94), and initially funded slightly smaller amounts.

Lloyds Investment Specialist Lauren Gradys stated that the data highlights the need to help more young women feel confident taking the first step into investing. Gradys emphasized that the process can feel complicated but does not require large sums or immediate expertise, and that simplifying it can encourage greater participation. The bank also outlined steps for first-time investors, including starting with small regular amounts, using ISAs, focusing on long-term market presence over market timing, and considering diversification.