Frequently Asked Questions

Which stocks can I hold in my ISA?

Because of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) rules regarding ISA stock eligibility it is not possible to provide an exhastive list of accepted stocks. However the HMRC guidelines for acceptable stocks are detailed below. If you are being prevented from trading a stock you believe eligible to be held in an ISA please contact our customer services team on 0808 156 6000 who will be able to check the stock on your behalf.

UK / Irish Listed Ordinary Shares (Incl PLUS/AIM)

Stock must:

• be listed on a recognised Stock Exchange
• not be exclusively* listed on either AIM, PLUS, Irish Exploration or Irish Unclassified Markets

Important Notes

• * AIM listed securities that are also listed on a recognised exchange (e.g. NASDAQ, ASX) may qualify.
• Although international securities are permitted in an ISA, GBP Sterling is the only permitted currency.

  Lyxor Gold Bullion Securities (GBS) does not qualify for inclusion in a ISA

  Residual Stocks & Preference Shares

  Residual stocks do qualify for ISA's

  Most Preference Shares (e.g. Zero Dividend/Fixed Interest) do qualify, however please check before trading if you are unsure

  Unit Trusts, Investment Trusts and OEIC's

  Although most of these securities do qualify, the best way to verify is to call our Customer Services team so that we can check to ensure it qualifies

  International Securities

  UK London International

  HMRC have confirmed that a stock trading on London international can qualify for an ISA, as long as the share has a dual listing on a recognised stock exchange.

  United States

  • New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
  • Nasdaq (National and Small Cap Markets) - NOT Nasdaq OTC BB or Pink Sheets
  • American Stock Exchange (AMEX)

  NEX and CNQ listed stocks NOT allowed in ISAs

  Canada

  • Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE)
  • Toronto Venture Exchange (TVE) Tiers 1 and 2 Ordinary stocks only (Tier 3 does not qualify)

  France

  • Paris Bourse
  • CAC 40, SBF 120, SBF 150, MID CAC, Premier Marche, Nouveau Second - Not Nouveau Marche.

  Germany

  • Deutsche Borse (Frankfurt Xetra)
  • DAX 30, NEMAX 50, EUROSTOXX 50, SMAX - Not Open and Newex Markets

  Italy

  Stocks that are officially listed on the Borsa Italiana will qualify for holding within an ISA wrapper. Other Italian markets do not qualify

  Holland

  • Amsterdam Exchange (AEX)
  • MIDCAP, Estars, E100.

  Spain

  • Bolsa De Madrid
  • IGBM.

  Switzerland

  • Virt-X
  • SMI (SWX Market), SPI (SWX Performance), SNMI (SWX New).

  Sweden

  • Stockholmsbörsen
  • SX Composite, SX 16, SX OTC, SX 0 and 9.

  Belgium

  • Brussels
  • BEL 20, BAS (All Share), Mid Cap, Small Cap.

  Australia

  • ASX

  Hong Kong

  • Hang Seng.

  Singapore

  • SGX.

  Futures, Options, Contracts for Differences (CFD) Warrants and Covered Warrants

  None of these investments qualify.

  Nil Paid Rights

  Are not qualifying investments so cannot be purchased in the Open Market.

  For Rights Issues within an ISA, Customer's have the option to either:

  • Sell the Nil Paid Rights and retain the proceeds in the account.
  • Take up the rights inside the ISA (using available cash on the account)
  • Take up the rights outside the ISA using cash from outside the account
  • Take up some shares inside and some shares outside the ISA
  • Allow the rights to lapse and possibly receive a lapsed rights payment (this can be retained in the account)

  UK Gilt-Edged (Treasury) Securities

  Security qualifies if the instrument:

  • is at least five years away from redemption (e.g. Treasury 8 3/4% 2027)
  • is undated (irredeemable)

  Building Society PIBS (Permanent Interest Bearing Shares)/

  All PIBS qualify (all PIBS are irredeemable).

  Corporate Bonds & Loan Notes

  Security qualifies if the instrument:

  • is at least five years away from redemption,
  • has a fixed or 'nil' interest rate (not floating or variable).
  • has a qualifying underlying instrument (e.g. NMT Group Loan Notes do not qualify because NMT Group Ordinary Shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)).

  Cash

  Cash is a non-qualifying investment.

  The HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will not allow cash to remain un-invested in a Plan indefinitely

  Commodities, e.g. Metals, Oil.

  Commodities are non-qualifying investments