Borrowing to invest, also known as gearing or leverage, is a risky business. While you get bigger returns when markets go up, it leads to larger losses when markets fall. You still have to repay the investment loan and interest, even if your investment falls in value.
How borrowing to invest works
Borrowing to invest is a medium to long term strategy (at least five to ten years). It’s typically done through:
- Margin loans for shares or
- Investment property loans.
The investment is usually the security for the loan.
1. Margin loans
A margin loan lets you borrow money to invest in shares, exchange-traded-funds (ETFs) and managed funds. Margin lenders require you to keep the loan to value ratio (LVR) below an agreed level, usually 70%.
Loan to value ratio = value of your loan/value of your investments
The LVR goes up if your investments fall in value or if your loan gets bigger. If your LVR goes above the agreed level, you’ll get a margin call. You’ll generally have 24 hours to lower the LVR back to the agreed level.
To lower your LVR you can:
- Deposit money to reduce your margin loan balance.
- Add more shares or managed funds to increase your portfolio value.
- Sell part of your portfolio and pay off part of your loan balance.
If you can’t lower your LVR, your margin lender will sell some of your investments to lower your LVR.
Margin loans are a high-risk investment. You can lose a lot more than you invest if things go sour. If you don’t fully understand how margin loans work and the risks involved, don’t take one out.
2. Investment property loans
Investment property loans can be used to invest in land, houses, apartments or commercial property. You earn income through rent, but you have to pay interest and the costs to own the property. These can include council rates, insurance and repairs.
4 risks of borrowing to invest
Borrowing to invest gives you access to more money to invest. This can help increase your returns or allow you to buy bigger investments, such as property. There may also be tax benefits if you’re on a high marginal tax rate, such as tax deductions on interest payments.
But, the more you borrow the more you can lose. The major risks of borrowing to invest are:
1. Bigger losses
Borrowing to invest increases the amount you’ll lose if your investments fall in value. You need to repay the loan and interest regardless of how your investment goes.
2. Capital risk
The value of your investment can go down. If you have to sell the investment quickly it may not cover the loan balance.
3. Investment income risk
The income from an investment may be lower than expected. For example, a renter may move out or a company may not pay a dividend. Make sure you can cover living costs and loan repayments if you don’t get any investment income.
4. Interest rate risk
If you have a variable rate loan, the interest rate and interest payments can increase. If interest rates went up by 2% or 4%, could you still afford the repayments?
Borrowing to invest only makes sense if the return (after tax) is greater than all the costs of the investment and the loan. If not, you’re taking on a lot of risk for a low or negative return.
Note: Some lenders let you borrow to invest and use your home as security. Please come and talk to us before making any such decisions! If the investment turns bad and you can’t keep up with repayments you could lose your home.
5 tips for managing the risk of an investment loan
If you decide to borrow to invest, these tips will help you get the right investment loan and protect yourself from large losses:
1. Shop around for the best investment loan
Don’t just look into the loan your lender or trading platform offers. By shopping around, you could save a lot in interest and fees or find a loan with better features.
2. Don’t get the maximum loan amount
Borrow less than the maximum amount the lender offers. The more you borrow, the bigger your interest repayments and potential losses.
3. Pay the interest
Making interest repayments will prevent your loan and interest payments getting bigger each month.
4. Have cash set aside
Have an emergency fund or cash you can quickly access. You don’t want to have to sell your investments if you need cash quickly.
5. Diversify your investments
Diversification will help to protect you if a single company or investment falls in value.
Gearing and tax
Borrowing to invest is also known as ‘gearing’. Before you borrow to invest, it’s important to check:
- if you will be positively or negatively geared, and
- how this will impact your cash flow and tax
The final word
Borrowing to invest is a high-risk strategy for even the most experienced of investors. If it’s one you’re considering currently, you really should seek the input of an experienced financial advisor to decide whether it’s the best strategy for you and your personal situation.
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This article first appeared on the moneysmart.gov.au website and is republished here with permission.
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This article contains general advice only, which has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any person. You should, therefore, consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your own objectives, financial situation or needs and read all relevant Product Disclosure Statements before acting on the information. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material, Paradigm Strategic Planning or Sentry Advice Pty Ltd will not bear responsibility or liability for any action taken by any person, persons or organisation on the purported basis of information contained herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no person, persons or organisation should invest monies or take action on reliance of the material contained herein but instead should satisfy themselves independently of the appropriateness of such action.
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