We have some exciting news to share! The Motley Fool UK has now become The Twelfth Magpie -- an independent, UK-owned company, led by our long-serving UK management team — Mark Rogers, Chris Nials and Heather Adlington. In practical terms, it’s the same team you know, now fully focused on serving our UK readers and members.

Just as importantly, our approach remains unchanged: long-term, jargon-free, and on your side. This site is our new home, and there will be extra tweaks made across the coming few days as we settle in. So if anything looks a little off, please bear with us!

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.

How I would maximise a stocks and shares ISA in 2023

Matt Cook is looking at how he would take full advantage of a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2023. Here’s how he is planning his investments over the year.

Young Caucasian woman with pink her studying from her laptop screen

Image source: Getty Images

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.

In 2023, I want to start taking more advantage of tax-free savings via a Stocks and Shares ISA.

As I plan to move a larger portion of my money into stocks in 2023, I have been considering how to maximise my ISA.

XXX

If I were to max out my ISA, I would be able to invest £20,000 over the tax year. I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket, so I would split my money between safe and growth shares.

Investing in growth

If I’m going to invest more of my money in shares, I want to see a return. That’s where growth stocks come in.

To hit the £20,000 ISA limit, I would be investing my money monthly. Therefore, I would want to pick out some key companies that I believe are primed for growth.

These would be shares that I want to buy, no matter the price, in anticipation of future growth.

One such company is Advanced Micro Devices. I’ve already invested in the company this year, and I still believe the share price has room to grow. The stock is currently US$76, with a 12-month target of US$115.

Its revenue has consistently grown year-on-year, and I see no reason for that to stop any time soon.

Another company I would be looking at investing in throughout the year is Lloyds. The banking group currently has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of under 7.

That suggests the share price has a lot of room for growth. It’s potentially riskier than AMD due to the economic conditions affecting the mortgage market, but I’m in it for the long haul.

Aston Martin is a company that I have been keeping my eye on. The British car manufacturer’s shares are currently priced at £1.36. That’s down around 91% in a year.

Aston Martin has a lot of debt, but with its recent revenue growth, I think it’s a contender.

Managing risk

I want safe shares to make up the backbone of my Stocks and Shares ISA. Typically, I like to have around a 60/40 split between shares I deem safe versus risky. That means throughout 2023, I would want to invest £12,000 of the £20,000 in safe companies.

In the current economic climate, I want my safe companies to be reasonably recession-resistant. That’s why I look at companies with stellar track records or products that are unaffected by an economic downturn.

Unilever is one company that shouldn’t be affected by a recession. Its four main product groups are food, refreshment, home care, and personal care. All of which people need come rain or shine.

In fact, while many companies’ share prices have suffered this year, Unilever is up 5.49% since January. That outpaces the FTSE 100, which is up 2.36% since January.

Apple is another company that I think would be a safe place to park my money in 2023. Its profit was up nearly 12% in 2022, on top of a 45% increase in 2021. It’s a company that never seems to stop growing.

It’s one of the world’s most consistent companies, and I’d sleep just fine with it taking up a chunk of my ISA.

Matt Cook has positions in Advanced Micro Devices. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Apple, Lloyds Banking Group Plc, and Unilever Plc. 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

Friends and sisters exploring the outdoors together in Cornwall. They are standing with their arms around each other at the coast.
Investing Articles

£503 buys 14 shares in this FTSE 250 stock that returned 23.9% annually for the last 15 years

This FTSE 250 stock has averaged a huge return for 15 years. At today's price, £503 buys 14 shares. But…

Read more »

Black woman using loudspeaker to be heard
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 25 shares in this FTSE 100 stock that’s returned 29.2% annually for the last 10 years

This FTSE 100 mining stock has returned close to 30% a year for a decade. At 3,995p, £1,000 buys 25…

Read more »

Female student sitting at the steps and using laptop
Investing Articles

Down 47%, is this growth stock finally worth buying in May?

With a £288m order book and a hidden pipeline of defence and nuclear contracts, is this growth stock now too…

Read more »

House models and one with REIT - standing for real estate investment trust - written on it.
Investing Articles

2 REITs yielding 7%+ to consider for passive income in 2026

A REIT backed by the NHS and another backed by Tesco and Sainsbury's with both yielding 7%+. Here's why I'm…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

Just 97 shares of this UK dividend stock generate £238 in passive income

A 5.7% yield, £238 in passive income from just 97 shares, and one of the most divisive dividend stocks on…

Read more »

ISA coins
Investing Articles

£10,000 in an ISA generates a second income of…

The London Stock Exchange is home to some of the world's most generous dividends. But how big a second income…

Read more »

Shot of a senior man drinking coffee and looking thoughtfully out of a window
Investing Articles

Expert recommendations: 2 top income stocks yielding 7%+!

With yields of 7.2% and 7.8% respectively, these two income stocks are catching the eyes of institutional analysts. Should investors…

Read more »

Illustration of flames over a black background
Investing Articles

3 top income-focused stocks to buy in May 2026, according to experts

Looking for a stock to buy for income in May 2026? Experts have flagged these three UK dividend shares as…

Read more »