If thematic investing is something that interests you, a growing number of platforms are offering this option. In this article I will highlight two in which I have invested modest amounts myself.

The first is robo-adviser platform Nutmeg. They recently introduced three new thematic investment styles. These provide a globally-diversified, risk-adjusted portfolio with a tilt (up to 20% maximum) towards your chosen theme. The rest is invested in a broader range of equities, making this a relatively low-risk way of adding thematic investments to your portfolio.

Currently three themes are available with Nutmeg:Technical Innovation, Resource Transformation and Evolving Consumer. I opted for Resource Transformation, which focuses on green energy and natural resources. My initial investment of £500 last year has grown to £530 – but of course like all investing it should only really be judged in the long term.

Nutmeg portfolios use ETFs (exchange traded funds), and you can invest via a tax-free ISA if you wish. For more information, you can read my full Nutmeg review on my blog at https://www.poundsandsense.com/nutmeg-review-experiences-robo-adviser-investment-platform/

Another option is eToro. This popular world-wide trading and investment platform lets you invest thematically through what they call smart portfolios. These are created and managed by experts on the eToro investment team and rebalanced regularly. Some examples include:

Cloud Computing
Renewable Energy
Cannabis Care – medical marijuana
Metaverse Life – virtual worlds
China Tech – technology leaders in China
Diabetes-Med – diabetes care stocks
Oil World Wide – long oil industry
Travel Kit – travel and leisure

Last year I invested $500 (the currency in which eToro operates) in OIl World Wide. My reasoning was that oil is out of favour with investors at the moment so share values have been depressed, but realistically fossil fuels will still be needed for many years to come. My investment has been up and down, but at the time of writing is worth $535.

eToro is probably riskier than Nutmeg – especially the more tightly-defined portfolios such as Cannabis Care – but they have a wider range of thematic investments available. And you can of course check on past performance, risk profile, and so on via the eToro website. Again, for more info you may like to read my full blog review of eToro smart portfolios at https://www.poundsandsense.com/what-are-smart-portfolios-on-etoro/