Best Trading 212 Pies for Diversified Long-Term Investing

Trading 212 “Pies” are essentially ready-made portfolios that automate investing using a basket of stocks and ETFs. As the name suggests, each pie is a diversified portfolio that invests automatically for you. You can set up Auto Invest schedules (daily, weekly, monthly) to continually add funds, and the platform will distribute your deposit across the pie’s holdings.

Importantly, this is an execution-only service – the pies provide asset allocation models but do not constitute financial advice. All investments carry risk, and you have full control to rebalance or adjust as needed. Trading 212 Smart Pies (also called model pies) are developed in collaboration with major asset managers and consist entirely of global ETFs listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In other words, each pie’s slices are low-cost UCITS ETFs from top providers (e.g. iShares/BlackRock or WisdomTree). This ensures broad diversification across regions and asset classes while keeping fees relatively low. Below we highlight the best Trading 212 pies for long-term investors seeking balanced risk and diversification, along with key metrics, upside potential, and risks for each.

Best Trading 212 Pies for Balanced Long-Term Portfolios

When it comes to diversified, long-term investing, two best Trading 212 pies stand out: BlackRock Core Pie and WisdomTree Core Pie. These are core multi-asset portfolios designed by leading fund managers. Each offers a blend of global equities, bonds, and other assets to balance risk and reward.

We focus on the default “Moderate” variants (suitable for a balanced risk appetite), but note that Trading 212 allows toggling pie variants to more Conservative or Aggressive allocations if desired. Let’s examine why these are among the best Trading 212 pies for long-term investors.

BlackRock Core Pie – A Balanced Trading 212 Pie

The BlackRock Core Pie is a globally diversified portfolio created with input from BlackRock (the world’s largest asset manager). In its Moderate configuration, this pie holds roughly 49% equities, 48% government bonds, and 3% commodities.

In practice, that means about half the pie is in stock market ETFs (covering worldwide equities for growth), nearly half in bond ETFs (to provide stability and income), and a small slice in commodities (such as gold) as an inflation hedge. All constituent ETFs are GBP-denominated and traded on the LSE, making this pie convenient for UK investors (e.g., within a Trading 212 ISA).

Metrics & Parameters:

The BlackRock Core pie’s asset mix reflects a moderate risk profile. Equities drive long-term growth, while bonds and a touch of gold dampen volatility. The pie’s Total Expense Ratio (TER) is about 0.17% annually; very low-cost. BlackRock achieves this by using its iShares ETFs, leveraging scale for minimal fees.

Notably, you can adjust this pie’s risk level: a Conservative variant shifts to ~78% bonds (only ~20% equities), whereas an Aggressive variant holds up to ~92% equities. This flexibility lets you fine-tune the pie to your needs, but the default moderate setting is ideal for balanced long-term investing and is considered amongst the best Trading 212 Pies.

Upsides:

1. Broad Diversification: This pie spreads investments across global stock markets, government bonds, and a commodity, providing built-in diversification across asset classes, industries, and regions. This reduces overall portfolio risk.

2. Professional Asset Allocation: The portfolio model is guided by BlackRock’s research, so you benefit from an expert-designed mix rather than guessing your own allocation. It’s a “smart” pie leveraging BlackRock’s asset allocation expertise.

3. Balanced Risk/Reward: With roughly 50/50 stocks and bonds, the BlackRock Core pie aims for steady growth with moderate volatility. It’s designed to smooth out market swings – bonds can cushion stock downturns, while equities provide growth potential. This makes it suitable for investors with a balanced risk appetite looking for long-term growth.

4. Low Cost: The combined fund fees (TER ~0.17%) are very reasonable. Using inexpensive ETFs means you keep more of your returns. There are no extra management fees from Trading 212 for using the pie, either.

5. Auto Invest Convenience: You can auto-invest small amounts (even £1 at a time) on a schedule, and the pie will automatically rebalance towards target weights. This enforces disciplined investing as a habit and takes emotion out of the equation.

Downsides/Risks:

1. Lower Equity Exposure: By design, ~50% of this pie is in bonds and gold. While that lowers volatility, it also means lower expected returns than an all-stock portfolio over the long run. Investors with a very long horizon (20+ years) might consider the Aggressive variant or a higher equity allocation for growth. If equity markets strongly outperform, this balanced pie could lag a pure equity approach.

2. Interest Rate Risk: The large bond portion faces interest rate risk – when rates rise, bond prices fall. This could cause short-term dips in pie value. However, if equity markets drop, those bonds typically hold value better, which is the trade-off.

3. Commodity Volatility: A small 3% slice in commodities (likely gold) provides inflation hedge benefits, but commodities can be volatile and don’t produce income. The impact is minor given the small allocation, but it’s something to be aware of.

4. Not Personalized: This ready-made pie is a one-size-fits-many solution. Limited customization is possible (you can’t change the specific ETFs or their weights except by switching risk variants) help centre. If you have strong views on asset allocation, you might prefer building a custom pie. That said, for most investors the BlackRock Core offers a solid, well-rounded starting point.

5. Market Risk: Like any investment, the BlackRock Core pie is subject to market fluctuations. In a global recession or stock bear market, the pie will lose value (though likely less than a 100% equity portfolio). There are no guarantees of profit (capital at risk).

WisdomTree Core Pie – Diversified Portfolio with Commodities

Another top contender among the best Trading 212 pies is the WisdomTree Core Pie. This is a similar multi-asset portfolio, but with a twist: it includes a larger allocation to commodities. In the default Moderate setup, the WisdomTree Core pie holds about 48% equities, 32% bonds, and 20% commodities.

In other words, roughly half is global stocks, about one-third in fixed-income, and a significant one-fifth of the pie is in commodities (such as gold and potentially other commodities) to act as a real asset hedge. All holdings are ETFs managed by WisdomTree or other major providers, traded on the London Stock Exchange.

Metrics & Composition:

The 20% commodities slice sets this pie apart. It likely includes gold and possibly broad commodity ETFs, reflecting WisdomTree’s emphasis on alternative assets. The equity portion provides growth, while the bond portion (32%) offers stability.

The idea is to create a “diversified asset” pie that can weather different market conditions – stocks for growth, bonds for deflationary or recessionary environments, and commodities for inflation protection. The trade-off is a slightly higher overall fee: TER about 0.28% per year, higher than BlackRock’s pie due to the cost of commodity funds (commodity ETFs tend to have higher fees).

This pie, like BlackRock’s, can be adjusted to Conservative or Aggressive variants. For example, the moderate version has 48% equity, but you could dial risk up or down (the exact variant breakdown isn’t provided publicly, but an Aggressive setting would increase equities significantly while reducing bonds).

Upsides:

1. Extensive Diversification: WisdomTree’s Core pie adds an extra layer of diversification by including commodities (~20%) along with global stocks and bonds. This can be beneficial if, for instance, inflation spikes – commodities (especially gold) often hold value or appreciate when stocks and bonds struggle. It’s essentially a multi-asset portfolio with an inflation hedge built-in.

2. Balanced Risk Profile: With roughly 80% of the pie in a mix of bonds and commodities, this portfolio aims to be even lower volatility than the BlackRock Core (which has ~52% in non-equities vs ~52% here, albeit commodities can be volatile). In theory, the commodity portion can offset some stock and bond declines during certain market cycles, providing resilience. This makes the WisdomTree Core pie a solid choice for investors who are slightly more conservative or concerned about inflation in their long-term plan.

3. Professional Design: The asset allocation is provided by WisdomTree’s experts. WisdomTree is known for innovative ETFs and factor-based strategies, so their core model portfolio brings that expertise. The inclusion of commodities is a deliberate choice by professionals who believe it improves risk-adjusted returns. Investors who want exposure beyond traditional stocks/bonds will appreciate this pie’s philosophy.

4. Auto-Invest & Rebalancing: Like all Trading 212 pies, you benefit from automatic investing and rebalancing features. Over time, if one part of the pie (say gold) grows faster and overshoots its target weight, you can easily rebalance to maintain the intended 48/32/20 mix. This disciplined approach ensures the portfolio stays aligned with your risk level without much manual effort.

Downsides/Risks:

1. Higher Fees: The 0.28% TER is higher than many simple index funds. The commodity exposure is largely to blame – for example, gold ETFs often have annual fees around 0.25-0.40%. While 0.28% is still reasonable, fee-sensitive investors might note that it’s ~0.11% more than the BlackRock pie (due to fewer bonds and more costly assets). Over very long periods, higher fees can modestly drag on performance.

2. Commodity Volatility and No Yield: A 20% commodity allocation can introduce volatility. Commodities can swing in price due to global supply/demand shocks. Unlike stocks or bonds, commodities don’t produce cash flows or dividends. If commodities underperform for extended periods, that slice could be a performance drag.

For example, if gold prices stagnate or decline, this pie would lag a comparable portfolio without commodities. Essentially, you’re making a bet that including commodities will improve risk-adjusted returns, a reasonable theory, but not guaranteed.

3. Lower Equity Share: With only ~48% in equities, the upside potential is capped compared to an all-equity portfolio. If global stocks soar for a decade, this pie’s heavy bond/commodity allocation means it will likely underperform a pure equity pie. For young investors with high risk tolerance, this pie might be too cautious. It’s geared more toward balanced or moderate investors.

4. Rebalancing Needed: The three-asset mix (stocks, bonds, commodities) will require periodic rebalancing to maintain targets, Trading 212 will notify of model updates quarterly community, but actual rebalancing isn’t automatic unless you trigger it. If you ignore it, the pie’s risk profile could drift. Fortunately, the platform makes it easy once you accept the changes.

Just remember that you as the investor are responsible for applying rebalances and managing the pie (the model provides guidance, not hands-on management).

5. Market and Inflation Risks: While diversified, the pie is not immune to market risk. A severe market crash could hit all assets (stocks could fall, commodity prices could also drop, and some bonds can default or lose value if interest rates spike). The pie mitigates many risks but cannot eliminate them.

There’s also opportunity risk: if inflation stays low and commodities languish, that 20% could have been better in stocks. Thus, outcomes will depend on future economic conditions which are uncertain as always.

Choosing the Right Pie & Final Thoughts

When it comes to building a balanced, diversified, long-term portfolio, both the BlackRock Core and WisdomTree Core stand out among the best Trading 212 pies available today. These two models are designed for investors who want global exposure through LSE-listed ETFs, professional asset allocation, and the convenience of auto-investing.

The best Trading 212 pies share certain qualities: low cost, broad diversification, and risk profiles suited to long-term growth. The BlackRock Core pie fits the profile of the best Trading 212 pies for those who prefer a classic 50/50 equity-bond mix, minimal commodities, and slightly lower fees. On the other hand, the WisdomTree Core pie earns its place among the best Trading 212 pies for investors who want a stronger inflation hedge with its 20% commodity allocation.

If you value simplicity and a traditional approach, the BlackRock Core should be high on your personal list of the best Trading 212 pies. If you want to incorporate more alternative assets for potential protection during inflationary or volatile periods, the WisdomTree Core could be your top choice among the best Trading 212 pies.

Another reason these rank among the best Trading 212 pies is the ability to customise risk. Both allow you to choose Conservative, Moderate, or Aggressive variants, meaning the best Trading 212 pies can adapt to different life stages, from early accumulation to near-retirement preservation.

Remember that even the best Trading 212 pies are not immune to market downturns. Diversification helps smooth volatility, but your portfolio can still decline in value. That said, the best Trading 212 pies aim to balance risk and reward, giving long-term investors a disciplined, low-maintenance way to stay invested through market cycles.

In summary, the BlackRock Core and WisdomTree Core are two of the best Trading 212 pies you can choose for a globally diversified, balanced-risk, long-term strategy. By matching your personal risk tolerance and goals, these best Trading 212 pies can serve as a core holding for years to come.

FCA Disclaimer

Trading 212 is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK (Firm Reference Number 609146). When investing, your capital is at risk, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and this article does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial adviser if unsure.

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