Should I buy Scottish Mortgage shares – or invest in Tesla?

The Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust is a Tesla shareholder. Here’s why our writer might consider buying the former’s shares over the latter’s.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Young woman working at modern office. Technical price graph and indicator, red and green candlestick chart and stock trading computer screen background.

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Over the past decade or so, the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (LSE: SMT) has done very well by investing in electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA).

Indeed, Scottish Mortgage’s Tesla holding became so valuable at one point that it reduced it, so that one share did not have too dominant a position in its portfolio. Even so, Tesla remains the trust’s fourth largest holding and accounts for 4.3% of its portfolio.

From time to time, I consider adding Tesla to my portfolio. I think the business has a promising future and would be happy to buy its shares if I found the valuation attractive. So far though, I have not made such a move.

Passive income stocks: our picks

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

If Tesla’s valuation becomes attractive to me, ought I to buy the shares directly – or could it make more sense for me to gain exposure to the popular growth stock by picking up some Scottish Mortgage shares instead?

Answering that question helps illustrate some important points to consider more generally when investing.

Importance of diversification

One is diversification, the idea of spreading risk — not putting all of my eggs in one basket.

Tesla’s sales volumes are growing quickly and that could form the basis of big profit growth, boosting the share price. Then again, increased competition and changes to government subsidies could see Tesla profits fall in coming years. That might hurt Tesla shares, which have seesawed dramatically over the past few years.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Tesla PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL3 May 201824 Apr 2025Zoom ▾2019202020212022202320242025202020202022202220242024www.fool.co.uk

Imagine I had £20,000 to invest. I could spread it across a variety of shares, potentially including Tesla.

But what if the only money I was able to invest was £300? Commissions and dealing charges could eat into that if I spread the £300 too thinly. But I would still want the benefit of diversification.

That is where buying shares in an investment trust could help me meet my objectives. Buying £300 worth of Scottish Mortgage shares, I would only be making one transaction. But I would have the benefit of diversification, thanks to its broad portfolio.

Paying the middleman

Then again, although I might be able to reduce some costs like that, might I be adding others?

After all, Scottish Mortgage has built that diversified portfolio by employing investment managers to sift through shares and decide what to buy. An investment trust is ultimately a kind of middleman. That adds costs for shareholders. Scottish Mortgage shares carry an ongoing annual charge of around 0.3%. That may sound like small beer but, over the long term, such fees can add up.

Backing winners

What that charge offers me though is access to a trust management strategy of investing early in growth stories like Tesla. Scottish Mortgage holds shares in SpaceX as well. I could not buy those shares directly on a stock exchange.

There are risks in owning Scottish Mortgage shares. The company’s heavy tech exposure means its share price could fall if growth shares continue to lose steam as investors emphasise profitability in an environment of elevated interest rates.

But I like the diversification, proven strategy and current valuation of Scottish Mortgage shares.

Right now, I would be happy to spend spare cash buying them. Indeed, I would rather get my Tesla exposure that way than buying in directly to the EV maker at its current share price.

Our best passive income stock ideas

Do you like the idea of dividend income?

The prospect of investing in a company just once, then sitting back and watching as it potentially pays a dividend out over and over?

If you’re excited by the thought of regular passive income payments, as well as the potential for significant growth on your initial investment…

Then we think you’ll want to see this report inside Motley Fool Share Advisor — ‘5 Essential Stocks For Passive Income Seekers’.

What’s more, today we’re giving away one of these stock picks, absolutely free!

Get your free passive income stock pick

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

C Ruane has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Tesla. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

US Stock

What I’d look to buy as the US stock market heads for the worst month since 1932

Jon Smith sifts through the US stock market to try and find some ideas that have fallen in value recently…

Read more »

Growth Shares

Prediction: I think £1,000 invested in this UK stock could double by 2030

Jon Smith runs through a FTSE 250 stock with a market cap just over £1bn that he feels has the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

With £10k in savings, here’s how an investor could target a second income of £500 a month

£10k in savings could be the foundation needed towards a powerful second income. Our writer details some steps necessary to…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing For Beginners

£1k invested in the FTSE 100 on ‘Liberation Day’ is now worth…

Jon Smith talks about the volatility in the FTSE 100 in the weeks since the tariff announcements and flags up…

Read more »

Long-term vs short-term investing concept on a staircase
Investing Articles

Barclays’ share price is down 7% from March, so is now the right time for me to buy?

Barclays’ share price has dipped recently, which could mean a bargain to be had. I took a deep dive into…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Down 13% since March, does this rising FTSE 250 defence star look an unmissable buy for me?

The FTSE 250 is currently home to many of the big stock stars of tomorrow and I think this high-tech…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Should I buy Aston Martin shares for my ISA while they’re under 70p?

With Aston Martin's shares down hugely across multiple time frames, this writer is wondering if he should snap up some…

Read more »

Senior woman potting plant in garden at home
Investing Articles

Why I prefer investing with Warren Buffett to a FTSE 100 or S&P 500 tracker

When it comes to buying shares, ignoring advice from Warren Buffett is rarely a good idea. But our author thinks…

Read more »