£20,000 in savings? Here’s how I’d aim to turn that into passive income of £903 a month

Our writer shares one approach to passive income investing, spotlighting a quality FTSE 100 stock he recently added to his portfolio.

| More on:

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.

Prior to the government’s recent Budget, there were rumours that the annual £20k Stocks and Shares ISA allowance was under threat. This was worrying because many investors use this to generate tax-free passive income.

However, the Budget came and went and the £20,000 remains intact. Great news for everyday investors.

Here, I’ll explain how I’d aim to turn this amount into a £903 monthly second income.

Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.

Income vs growth investing

There are a couple of distinct approaches to building a portfolio. I might choose to invest only in high-yield dividend stocks (only those yielding, say, above 5%). These blue-chip shares are unlikely to increase too much in value, but they’d offer me solid dividend income from the off.

In the FTSE 100, the likes of high street bank Lloyds, insurer Legal & General, and tobacco firm Imperial Brands spring to mind.

Alternatively, I may try to increase my portfolio’s size through growth stocks. These businesses pay little in the way of income (if anything), and instead focus on investing to capture growing markets.

This approach will likely lead me to US stock markets, where nearly all of the world’s leading growth companies are listed. Think Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, Netflix, and so on.

After a few years of growing my portfolio, I’d be in a better position to generate higher passive income from dividend stocks.

Both strategies possess challenges however. Income investing comes with the risk of dividend cuts or cancelations, as investors in Vodafone found out this year when the telecoms giant cut its payout by 50%.

Meanwhile, what might seem like a great growth stock can quickly turn into a dud if the firm’s growth evaporates.

A third way

A happy medium might be found in companies that are still growing nicely but also paying a rising dividend. One example is Coca-Cola HBC (LSE: CCH), whose shares I recently bought.

This is a strategic bottling partner for The Coca-Cola Company, which gives it a high-quality portfolio of brands. It distributes these products across 28 countries, spanning both developed and emerging markets in Europe and parts of Africa.

Source: Coca-Cola HBC

In the first half of 2024, the firm’s organic revenue grew 13.6% year on year to €5.18bn. And it expects full-year organic revenue to grow 11-13%.

Currency exchange risks are real here though, given the diverse geographies the company operates in. That’s worth remembering.

However, I like that this growing business also pays a dividend. The starting yield might seem modest at around 3%, but last year the payout increased by 19%!

In 2025, the dividend is expected to grow by around 9%. So I think this is a great example of a company that offers both share price growth potential and income.

Below, we see the firm’s solid dividend track record.

Created at TradingView

Income generation

According to AJ Bell, Coca-Cola HBC stock has returned around 10% annually in the past 10 years. There’s no guarantee that’ll continue, but an overall portfolio returning 10% on average would build a nice pot.

In this case, a £20,000 ISA would grow to £216,694 after 25 years, assuming I reinvested the dividends along the way. That’s a tremendous result.

And the passive income from that? It would be £10,835 a year — or £903 a month — if my portfolio were yielding 5%.

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.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Ben McPoland has positions in Coca-Cola Hbc Ag and Legal & General Group Plc. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Aj Bell Plc, Amazon, Imperial Brands Plc, Lloyds Banking Group Plc, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Vodafone Group Public. 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

Stack of one pound coins falling over
Investing Articles

2 penny shares I think could shine in 2025

I have my eye on a few penny shares, as I'm thinking that the year ahead could turn out to…

Read more »

Investing Articles

2 ISA strategies for success in 2025

The ISA is a great vehicle for our investments, sheltering our returns from tax and providing us with the opportunity…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Here’s how an investor could start building a £10,000 second income for £180 per month in 2025

Our writer illustrates how an investor could put under £200 each month into shares and build a long-term five-figure passive…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m finding bargain shares to buy for 2025!

Our writer takes a fairly simply approach when it comes to hunting for cheap shares to buy for his portfolio.…

Read more »

A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

Up 262%! This lesser-known energy company is putting other S&P 500 stocks to shame

Our writer delves into the rationale behind the parabolic growth of this under-the-radar S&P 500 energy company. The reason isn’t…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Just released: December’s small-cap stock recommendation [PREMIUM PICKS]

We believe the UK small-cap market offers a myriad of opportunities across a wide range of different businesses and industries.

Read more »

Aerial shot showing an aircraft shadow flying over an idyllic beach
Investing Articles

£20k of savings? Here’s how an investor could turn that into passive income of £5k a year

A £20k lump sum, invested in a mix of blue-chip shares with a long-term approach, could generate thousands of pounds…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Is the BP share price set for a 75% jump?

The highest analyst target for BP shares in 2025 is 75% above the current price. So should investors consider buying…

Read more »