A Unique Range of Portfolios
The NorthStar Investment Committee have developed a range of investment portfolios for use exclusively by NorthStar clients.
Each portfolio is mapped to a risk profile score to ensure each client has a portfolio that is precisely suited to their specific needs and will deliver their investment goals.
Every NorthStar portfolio comprises an optimal mix of different types of assets, expertly blended by our in-house investment team. We predominantly use low-cost funds, blending these to produce portfolios that deliver strong returns and minimise risks where possible.
Our portfolios fall into three broad categories; capital preservation, capital growth and income & growth portfolios – each with a different aim. Within these categories, we have portfolios that target different levels of returns and income as well as ethical options.
Before making any investment recommendations, a NorthStar financial planner will conduct a thorough risk assessment to ensure our recommended portfolio matches your specific needs. This assessments covers things like your likely investment term, your attitude to risk and your ability to cope with any losses.
It is important that all our clients fully understand their risk profile and are comfortable with the investment strategy proposed. Our team of investment specialists is always on hand to ensure every clients continues to feel comfortable with their investment strategy and are on hand to answer any investment related questions.
You can run a quick on-line risk assessment for yourself by using our Personal Portfolio Builder.
Designed to Deliver
The NorthStar portfolio range is a key part of our complete investment management solution. An expertly crafted range of portfolios exclusively for NorthStar clients.
Optimised Portfolio Construction
Using advanced modelling techniques, we ensure our portfolios are fully optimised. By blending the very best funds, we create portfolios that are greater than the sum of their parts.
Effective Risk & Volatility Management
Every NorthStar portfolio is constructed within specific risk parameters so you can be confident that you will never be exposed to unnecessary investment risks and market volatility.
Academically Supported Philosophy
Our investment philosophy and construction process is based on many years of empirical evidence and Nobel Prize winning research, helping us provide the very best investment portfolios.
Low-cost Blended Investment Solution
We utilise the best value investment funds available to help us lower the cost of investing. We then charge a low ongoing annual fee to provide you with a full investment management service.
Diversified Investment Approach
We don’t believe in putting all our eggs in one basket. We create portfolios that utilise a broad range of asset classes to reduce volatility and improve investment returns.
Ongoing Monitoring & Reviews
We never take our eye off the ball when it comes to our portfolios. We continually monitor and regularly review all portfolios to ensure they always deliver the best outcomes.
Smart Regular Portfolio Rebalancing
Every NorthStar portfolio is rebalanced every 6 months to ensure it always remains optimised, efficient and on-track to deliver your investment objectives.
Complete Flexibility as Standard
You are never tied into to any NorthStar portfolio. You can switch between portfolios, change your regular contributions or disinvest any time you like – all at no cost.
NorthStar Money Market Portfolio
The NorthStar Money Market Portfolio is suitable for investors who require extremely high capital preservation and want to minimise exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using cash and money market instruments only. The low-risk construction of this portfolio aims to mitigate short-term market volatility and focuses on delivering a very high level of capital preservation. Long-term returns may be lower than those of other portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
Despite the very low-risk nature of this portfolio, it is not risk-free. Risk aspects include inflation risk, shortfall risk, interest rate risk and, to a limited extent, credit risk. The portfolio aims to minimise the risk of capital loss, targets a return in excess of 2-3% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Short Term Money Market sector average. This portfolio is not intended as a long-term investment strategy. Although this portfolio is invested in cash and money market instruments, it is still possible for values to fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Safety Portfolio
The NorthStar Safety Portfolio is suitable for investors who require a high level of capital preservation and want to minimise exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of predominantly low-risk assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification and low-risk construction of this portfolio aim to mitigate a significant amount of short-term market volatility and focus on delivering capital preservation. Long-term returns may be lower than those of other portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
This portfolio is not risk-free, and investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and some exchange rate risk. The portfolio aims to provide significant downside protection, targets a return in excess of 2-3% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against a composite of 60% IA Mixed Investment 0-35% Shares sector average and 40% IA Short Term Money Market sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Defensive Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Defensive Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who require capital growth, but want to significantly mitigate exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification and lower-risk construction of this portfolio aim to mitigate a significant amount of short-term market volatility and deliver stable performance. Equity exposure will typically be around 35%, meaning long-term returns may be lower than those of some portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 3-4% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 0-35% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Cautious Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Cautious Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who require capital growth, but want to mitigate exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification and lower-risk construction of this portfolio aim to mitigate short-term market volatility and deliver relatively stable performance. Equity exposure will typically be around 50%, meaning long-term returns may be lower than those of some portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 4-5% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 20-60% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Balanced Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Balanced Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who require capital growth, but want to balance this with reduced exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification of this portfolio aims to mitigate some short-term market volatility. Equity exposure will typically be around 70%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit moderate downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 5-6% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Dynamic Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Dynamic Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who are seeking strong capital growth and are prepared to accept significant short-term fluctuations and market volatility in order to achieve this aim. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. Equity exposure will typically be around 90%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit significant downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 6-7% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against a composite of 60% IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average and 40% IA Global sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Adventurous Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Adventurous Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who require very strong capital growth and are prepared to accept very significant short-term fluctuations and market volatility in order to achieve this aim. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. Equity exposure will typically be in excess of 90%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit substantial downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 7-8% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against a composite of 80% IA Global sector average and 20% IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who want to invest ethically and require capital growth, but want to significantly mitigate exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification and lower-risk construction of this portfolio aim to mitigate a significant amount of short-term market volatility and deliver stable performance. Investments focus on assets meeting ethical and sustainable criteria, typically excluding industries such as tobacco, fossil fuels, arms, gambling and animal testing. Equity exposure will typically be around 35%, meaning long-term returns may be lower than those of some portfolios in the NorthStar range to achieve the required level of capital preservation.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. Adherence to ethical and sustainable criteria is the key objective and takes priority when selecting underlying holdings. This narrows the investment universe, so returns may differ from, and at times lag, unrestricted portfolios. Cash, money market instruments and government bonds held for liquidity or risk management may not be subject to ethical screening criteria. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 3-4% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 0-35% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Learn more about the NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio
NorthStar Ethical Balanced Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Ethical Balanced Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who want to invest ethically and require capital growth, but want to balance this with reduced exposure to short-term fluctuations and market volatility. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification of this portfolio aims to mitigate some short-term market volatility. Investments focus on assets meeting ethical and sustainable criteria, typically excluding industries such as tobacco, fossil fuels, arms, gambling and animal testing. Equity exposure will typically be around 70%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit moderate downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. Adherence to ethical and sustainable criteria is the key objective and takes priority when selecting underlying holdings. This narrows the investment universe, so returns may differ from, and at times lag, unrestricted portfolios. Cash, money market instruments and government bonds held for liquidity or risk management may not be subject to ethical screening criteria. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 5-6% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Learn more about the NorthStar Ethical Balanced Growth Portfolio
NorthStar Ethical Adventurous Growth Portfolio
The NorthStar Ethical Adventurous Growth Portfolio is suitable for investors who want to invest ethically, require very strong capital growth and are prepared to accept very significant short-term fluctuations and market volatility in order to achieve this aim. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. Investments focus on assets meeting ethical and sustainable criteria, typically excluding industries such as tobacco, fossil fuels, arms, gambling and animal testing. Equity exposure will typically be in excess of 90%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit substantial downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. Adherence to ethical and sustainable criteria is the key objective and takes priority when selecting underlying holdings. This narrows the investment universe, so returns may differ from, and at times lag, unrestricted portfolios. Cash, money market instruments and government bonds held for liquidity or risk management may not be subject to ethical screening criteria. The portfolio targets a return in excess of 7-8% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against a composite of 80% IA Global sector average and 20% IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Learn more about the NorthStar Ethical Adventurous Growth Portfolio
NorthStar High Income Portfolio
The NorthStar High Income Portfolio is suitable for investors who require a high income and capital growth and are prepared to accept short-term fluctuations and market volatility in order to achieve this aim. The portfolio is constructed using a broad range of income-producing assets which may include equities, fixed income, property, infrastructure, alternative investments and cash. The diversification of this portfolio aims to mitigate some short-term market volatility. Equity exposure will typically be around 60%, meaning the portfolio will exhibit moderate downside risk to achieve the required level of capital growth and income.
Due to the nature of the underlying holdings, investment in this portfolio should be seen as a long-term strategy. Risk aspects include inflation risk, capital risk, shortfall risk and exchange rate risk. The portfolio targets a yield in excess of 4% plus capital growth in excess of 2-3% per annum over a rolling 5-year period and is benchmarked against the IA Mixed Investment 40-85% Shares sector average. Values may fall as well as rise, and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Key Portfolio Information
| NorthStar Money Market Portfolio | NorthStar Safety Portfolio | NorthStar Defensive Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Cautious Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Balanced Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Dynamic Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Adventurous Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Ethical Defensive Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Ethical Balanced Growth Portfolio | NorthStar Ethical Adventurous Growth Portfolio | NorthStar High Income Portfolio |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio Type | Capital Preservation | Capital Preservation | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Capital Growth | Income & Growth |
| Inception Date | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.21 | 01.01.15 | 01.01.24 | 01.01.15 |
| Constituent Funds | 3 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| FE Risk Score | 1 | 19 | 37 | 54 | 67 | 80 | 95 | 41 | 67 | 90 | 61 |
| Historic Yield | 3.8% | 2.7% | 2.0% | 1.7% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 4.4% |
| Volatility | 0.2% | 3.0% | 5.4% | 7.3% | 8.8% | 10.2% | 11.9% | 5.7% | 8.6% | 11.5% | 7.2% |
| Targeted Average Annual Return¹ | 2-3% | 2-3% | 3-4% | 4-5% | 5-6% | 6-7% | 7-8% | 3-4% | 5-6% | 7-8% | 6-7% |
| Indicative Risk Level | 1/10 | 1/10 | 2/10 | 4/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 2/10 | 6/10 | 10/10 | 5/10 |
| Benchmark² | IA ST Money Market | 60% IA MI 0-35% Shares /40% IA ST Money Market | IA MI 0-35% Shares | IA MI 20-60% Shares | IA MI 40-85% Shares | 60% IA MI 40-85% Shares /40% IA Global | 80% IA Global /20% IA 40-85% Shares | IA MI 0-35% Shares | IA MI 40-85% Shares | 80% IA Global /20% IA 40-85% Shares | IA MI 40-85% Shares |
| Annual Portfolio Charge (OCF)³ | 0.12% | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.20% | 0.21% | 0.20% | 0.23% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.35% | 0.59% |
| More Info | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
2. Portfolios benchmarked over a rolling 5-year period.
3. Calculated using the weighted ongoing charges figure (OCF) of constituent funds on primary platform. Portfolio charges on other platforms may vary.
Performance data are on a bid-to-bid basis, with income reinvested. Performance data do not take into account platform or advisory charges and exclude any holdings in platform ‘cash accounts’. Performance data show returns for discounted ‘super clean’ funds where these are available. Such funds may not be available on all platforms. Performance data are rounded to the nearest 0.1% so small rounding errors may occur. Data correct as at 01.08.26. Source: FE. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. The tax treatment of investments depends on individual circumstances and is subject to changes in tax legislation. Figures are provided for illustrative purposes only and their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information provided should not be relied upon in isolation when making investment decisions and does not constitute advice or an offer to purchase any investment or product. Please contact us for more information on our range of portfolios.
Performance Comparison
Performance of the NorthStar portfolios since inception (January 2015) to August 2026:
Awards, Accreditations & Trade Associations
NorthStar is proud to be a member of the leading financial planning trade associations. Through a continued commitment to adhere to the highest professional standards and deliver exceptional service, NorthStar has received a number of awards and professional accreditations.
