What is passive investing?

Passive investing is a long-term investment strategy that aims to replicate the performance of a market index, rather than trying to beat it.

Investors typically buy into funds, such as index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), that track a broad market benchmark like the FTSE 100 or S&P 500.

Key passive investing characteristics

• Low cost: Passive funds generally have lower fees because they require minimal management. 
• Buy-and-hold approach: Passive investors aim to ride out market ups and downs over time. 
• Diversification: Tracking an index provides exposure to a wide range of companies.

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What is active investing?

Active investing involves ongoing decision-making to buy, hold, or sell assets in an attempt to outperform the market. 

This strategy is often managed by fund managers or individual investors who analyse market trends, company performance, and economic indicators to make investment choices.

Key active investing characteristics

• Higher costs: Fund management, research, and transaction fees tend to be higher. Learn about investment fees and costs.‍
• Tactical decisions: Active managers may buy or sell holdings frequently to exploit market opportunities.
• Potential for higher returns: Success depends on skill, timing, and market conditions.

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The advantages and disadvantages of passive investing

Advantages of passive investing include:

• Lower fees: Less management means reduced ongoing costs.
• Simplicity: Ideal for beginners; less time and knowledge required.
• Market-matching performance: Often performs better than many actively managed funds over the long term.

Disadvantages of passive investing include:

• No chance to outperform the market: Returns will always closely mirror the index.
• Limited flexibility: Can’t adjust quickly to market shifts or exploit short-term opportunities.
• Market downturns: Passive funds track indexes even during declines, with no defensive measures in place.

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The advantages and disadvantages of active investing

Advantages of active investing include:

• Opportunity for higher returns: Skilled asset managers can outperform the market, especially in less efficient markets.
• Flexibility: Managers can pivot strategies in response to changing conditions.
• Tailored investment strategies: Portfolios can be aligned with specific goals or themes (e.g., ethical investing, emerging markets).

Disadvantages of active investing include:

• Higher costs: Active funds charge more, which can eat into returns.
• Greater risk of underperformance: Many active funds fail to beat their benchmarks after fees.
• Requires more research and monitoring: Not ideal for novice investors or those short on time.

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Is active or passive investing right for me?

Choosing between active and passive investing depends on your goals, how much time you want to dedicate to managing your investments, and how comfortable you are with risk. How to know your risk tolerance.

If you're just starting out, passive investing is often a practical and beginner-friendly option. It requires little ongoing effort, keeps costs low, and provides broad exposure to the market.

It’s especially suited to long-term investors who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach and are happy with market-average returns.

On the other hand, if you're someone who enjoys researching companies, keeping up with economic trends, and believes in your ability (or that of a professional) to spot investment opportunities, active investing might appeal to you. 

It offers the potential for higher returns but comes with more risk, higher fees, and a greater time commitment.

You should also consider your risk tolerance. Passive investing tends to be more stable and predictable, while active investing can be more volatile, especially over shorter periods.

Importantly, you don’t have to choose one or the other. Many investors find that a blend of both, using passive strategies for long-term stability and active ones for targeted opportunities, gives them the best of both worlds.

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How to combine active and passive investing

Many investors choose a blended approach, combining both active and passive strategies to balance cost, control, and opportunity.

Common combinations:

• Core and satellite: Use a passive fund for the core of your portfolio, with smaller “satellite” allocations to active funds targeting specific sectors or regions.
• Thematic investing: Stick with passive index funds for broad market exposure and add active investments in areas you believe have strong growth potential.
• Rebalancing over time: Start passive, then explore active strategies as your confidence and knowledge grow.

This approach allows flexibility while keeping fees manageable and risk diversified.

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Passive and active investing summary

Understanding the core differences between passive and active investing is essential for building a strategy that suits your financial goals and comfort level. 

While passive investing offers cost-efficiency and simplicity, active investing presents opportunities for higher returns, albeit with added risk and effort.

Ultimately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Many UK investors successfully use a mix of both approaches to suit their needs.

In the next guide in our Investment Strategies series, we’ll explore another foundational concept: Growth Investing vs Value Investing, two popular approaches to selecting individual stocks.

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A US government shutdown* has been triggered after a deadline to reach a funding agreement before the start of the new fiscal year (1 October) came and went without a deal.

Noisy headlines like these can feel unsettling, but history shows that markets usually take them in stride. While shutdowns can cause short-term noise, they rarely derail the bigger picture for long-term investors.¹

‍Chip explains: What is a government shutdown?: In the U.S., Congress has to approve funding for government operations. If lawmakers can’t agree on a budget before the 1 October deadline, parts of the government temporarily close until a deal is reached.‍

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What might happen in the short term?

• Data delays: Key economic reports could be postponed, creating a temporary “blind spot” for analysts and traders.
  
• Government-linked sectors: Contractors and defence companies may face small payment lags, but these tend to be resolved once funding resumes.
  
• Market sentiment: Expect some short-term jitters and reactive headlines in the news cycle, but past shutdowns haven’t caused lasting damage.

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Why investors don’t need to panic

The most important thing to note is that history is on your side. U.S. markets have been largely unaffected by previous shutdowns, with long-term returns back on track once political gridlock passes.²

Diversification also plays an important role. By spreading your money across different regions, sectors, and asset classes, you avoid being overly exposed to temporary political standoffs like this.

And most importantly, while headlines can spark short-term nerves, it’s worth remembering that the bigger picture matters far more than these short-lived disputes, so stick to the plan.  
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How Chip helps you stay steady

At Chip, we keep investing simple and diversified. Choose from over 40 investment funds – offering clear, curated choices without overwhelming you with thousands of options.

If you’re investing for the long term, the message is clear. Stay the course, let diversification do its job, and keep your goals in focus.

Head to the ‘Invest’ tab in your Chip app and see how you could put your money to work today with a tax-free Stocks & Shares ISA or General Investment Account.

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Sources:

¹ JP Morgan

² Voya

The 2025/26 tax year ends at midnight on 5 April 2026 and your annual ISA allowance will reset for a new tax year.

If you have any ISA allowance remaining (you can check this in your app) and want to make a deposit within the 2025/26 tax year, here’s the deadlines you need to know.

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Deposit before:

• 23:00 on Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Stocks & Shares ISA

• 23:00 on Thursday 2 April 2026 — Smart Cash ISA  

Deposits that successfully make it into your Chip ISAs before these deadlines will count towards your 2025/2026 ISA allowance.

Any further deposits into your Cash ISA beyond these deadlines, may still successfully land in your balance, but we can’t guarantee it. Successful deposits made before 23:59 on Sunday 5 April will count towards your 2025/2026 ISA allowance.

But please note that there can be unexpected delays, often caused by banks limiting deposits out and circumstances outside of our control. Your deposit is only valid when it reaches our banking partner—see more below.  

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Next year will be the last year you can use your full allowance in cash

In the 2025 Autumn budget the government announced that 2026/27 will be the last year where you put your full £20,000 annual ISA allowance into cash.

From April 2027 onwards you will only be able to put £12,000 of your total £20,000 annual allowance into cash (unless you’re over 65).

So, bear in mind if you do like to put your full allowance into cash, you’ve only got one more year to fill it up.

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Best ways to deposit

Our most popular option for transferring into your ISA is through connected bank transfer. Simply follow the instructions in the app to connect to your provider.

You can also make a manual bank transfer into your Cash ISA, which is best used for making deposits over £5,000.

In most cases, for both of these methods, your money arrives in seconds, but it can take up to two hours.

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Looking to transfer from another ISA?

You can easily transfer an ISA from another provider into Chip’s Cash or Stocks & Shares ISA.

Transfers don’t affect your annual £20,000 ISA allowance, as your allowance applies to new money only, so you don’t need to factor this in regard to the end of the tax year. You’re free to initiate a transfer anytime you like.

Make sure you check our list of approved Cash ISA providers we accept transfers from.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept transfers from providers not on this list at the moment, but we are adding more all the time.

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Having trouble depositing?

If this is your first ISA deposit, we’ve found our members have the most success making a first deposit of less than £1,000.

Keep in mind that your bank may limit daily transactions on transferring money from your current account to your ISA.

These limits can vary drastically between providers, so check with your bank if you’re looking to move larger amounts.

You may have also set your personal limits on daily transfers, so adjust these accordingly if you haven’t already.

There may also be additional security checks on larger transactions, so factor this in and try and plan ahead.

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“I’m lost, what’s an ISA?”

ISAs are tax-efficient savings and investment accounts that offer tax-efficient exemptions on interest and returns earned within the account.

However, you are limited to depositing £20,000 within a given tax year (which runs April to April). This is your ‘annual ISA allowance’ and it is available on a use it or lose it basis.

You can learn more about ISAs in our quick guide here.

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It’s simple with Chip

Navigating ISAs is easy with Chip. You can have a Cash ISA, Stocks & Shares ISA or both; all accessible in one easy-to-use app.

Our flexible Smart Cash ISA allows you to make unlimited withdrawals and deposits without affecting your £20,000 allowance. Providing penalty-free access to your funds, whenever you need them, with all the tax advantages.

Our Stocks & Shares ISA allows you to effortlessly set up recurring deposits, which are then invested directly into the funds you've selected. This ensures your money is consistently working for you in your chosen investments to build wealth tax-free.

We want to build something game-changing

We’re working on something exciting at Chip HQ – an AI powered guidance tool designed to give you personalised financial guidance.

Traditionally, financial guidance and advice has been out of reach and expensive. We think that new technology can make financial guidance smarter, faster and most importantly – more accessible to everyone.

In this blog we’ll share with you why we’re building it, what it will mean for your money, and how in the future, this new tool could bring you a level of personalised support that was previously only available to a select few.

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Why we are building an AI guide

One of the most common pieces of feedback we hear is: “I have savings, but I don’t know if I am on the right track to achieve all my plans.”

For over eight years, we’ve been helping people grow their wealth, but we know saving is only the first step. The real challenge is figuring out what comes after.

That’s why we’re building a personalised AI guide: to make financial guidance available to everyone.

With the game-changing power of AI, we would be able to help our customers not just save, but help them achieve their ambitions and goals too.

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The vision: what our AI will do

The concept is to start with an AI guide to help you understand your goals and how you can achieve them faster.

Our ambition will be to evolve it into a powerful tool that can build a personalised guide to plan your entire wealth journey.

However, a quick caveat: there’s no shortcuts to us building this - we’ll need to do a lot of hard work with the regulator to make sure we’re doing this properly and explore the best way to build it (it’s cutting edge stuff!).

But here’s our ultimate vision of where we want to take it.

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Start with a conversation

Imagine this: discuss your goals and ambitions — where you are now and where you want to get to.

Chip’s AI wealth guide would then build a personalised guide based on this conversation, suggesting which savings and investments accounts to open, how much to put into a pension vs an ISA, what short and long term goals to set, and recommend an automated plan to effortlessly top up your savings.

You would be able to review the suggestions, easily tweak them to fit your needs in an open discussion and when you’re happy, you simply say “make it so” and Chip’s AI could crack on with the leg work – opening the accounts, initiating deposits, transfers, with all the admin done for you.

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You’re in control

Let’s be very clear: this wouldn’t be about surrendering control of your money. You would have complete authority and full visibility in the app, with clear graphs, portfolio views, and progress trackers to keep you on top of your goals.

You’d be able to pre-program nudges for yourself and book in regular reviews, and at any time simply discuss with the AI to update the plan for you if your ambitions grow or circumstances change.

We believe that this will help you achieve your financial goals with greater simplicity and confidence.

And don’t worry, you’ll always be able to interact with a real person at Chip when you need us.

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How we’re building it

You would interact with the tool through a large language model (LLM) – think of it as your conversational guide, ready to answer questions and help you navigate financial decisions.

Behind the scenes, an intelligence layer will analyse your data to provide personalised, actionable recommendations tailored to your situation.

And of course, we’ll be rigorously testing the AI and putting strong guardrails in place, so everything stays compliant, safe, and focused on delivering the best outcomes for you.

We’ve already applied to join the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) development “sandbox”  which would allow us to test it alongside the FCA. If granted approval, we will have support from the regulator and access to the Nvidia AI Enterprise software suite which will accelerate our ability to build and refine our AI tech stack further.

Our ultimate goal, as we say above, is that our AI wealth guide will be able to connect to your accounts, offering actionable recommendations and taking the heavy lifting off your shoulders – bringing you the sort of service that was previously reserved for the very wealthy.

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The wider context: why we’re doing this

There are big changes coming together in our industry right now:

1. A game-changing new technology

The use of AI has exploded over the past couple of years, since ChatGPT first burst onto the scene in 2023.

We believe we can be at the cutting edge of this technology in our sector as we’ve seen a huge opportunity to leverage AI to disrupt the financial advice sector and bring advice to everyone.  

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2. Once in a generation reforms

Adding to the mix, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has just introduced a “once-in-a-generation”¹ reform to the financial advice industry, allowing firms to offer targeted support to customers, opening up the door for innovation here at Chip.

The FCA’s research shows the gap we can close:

• 24% of people with over £10,000 in cash savings don’t invest because “they don’t know enough”
• 12% feel overwhelmed by the number of options
• 8% say they need more support before investing

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3. A legacy industry ripe for disruption

We think the legacy advice providers and currently available wealth services leave a lot of room for improvement.

We’re not alone - you might have heard the term ‘advice gap’ where people who could benefit from advice are not being served by the currently available services.

These services are seen as exclusive, only open to the very wealthy and expensive - typically costing anything between £500 and £5,000+ a year.

Or to quote the 2025 Advice Gap report:

“It seems there are a significant number of people who need advice and would benefit from it, whether that’s financially or from the peace of mind that advice brings.

“But they can’t access it because it either costs too much, or the services they need are just not profitable at those levels for companies. Finding a solution would not only help those people but open up a huge untapped client list.”

Whilst we don’t believe AI can fully replace the world of face-to-face human consultations at the moment, it’s clear that this legacy advice model can’t provide service at scale, and stops many millions of people who could benefit from the advice seeking it out.

We believe we are very well placed to build an AI that can fill this gap in the market – delivering real value to Chip customers while opening the door for millions of people across the UK who want financial guidance, but are currently under-served.

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Where this will take us

We’ve spent much of the last eight years putting as many tools, products and accounts in the palm of your hands as possible, so you can build your wealth at the tap of a button.

But now, we’re presented with a game changing moment to tie it all together with a personalised user experience powered by AI.

Essentially, you’ll have everything you need to build and grow your wealth in a couple of taps across cash, investments, pensions (and eventually even more).

But also, you’ll have a guide that listens to what you want, asks about your goals, and builds a plan around your needs that is personal to you.

There’s many people who are ready for better guidance and as one the UK's fastest growing companies, we are built to move quickly and capture a share of this £2.4 trillion² financial advisory market.

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Please note it will not have direct control over your finances and all of Chip’s AI solutions will operate exclusively inside our own infrastructure.  This will be an optional in-app service.

Source:

1 Financial Conduct Authority

2 St. James's Place

Understanding the importance of diversification

Markets can move unpredictably. One asset class might be soaring while another is falling. Diversification ensures you’re not overly reliant on a single investment or sector to meet your financial goals.

For example, if your portfolio is made up entirely of tech stocks, a downturn in the tech industry could cause a sharp drop in your portfolio. But if you also own bonds, commodities, and shares in other industries, those assets may hold steady or even rise, helping cushion the blow.

Diversification doesn’t guarantee profits, but it can make the investing journey less bumpy by balancing the ups and downs.

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Diversification strategies in investing

There are many ways to diversify a portfolio. Investors often combine several of the following approaches:

• Asset classes: such as stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, or cash equivalents.
• Industries and sectors: spreading across technology, healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and more.
• Market capitalisations: investing in both large, stable companies (blue chips) and smaller, growth-focused firms.
• Risk profiles: mixing higher-risk, higher-return assets with safer, lower-yield options.
• Tangibility: balancing between traditional financial assets and physical assets like property or gold.
  

The right mix depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

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Advantages of diversification

• Could reduce the risk of heavy losses from one sector.
• Could provide protection against market fluctuations.
• Could help investors achieve steadier long-term growth. 
• Offers exposure to different markets and opportunities. 

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Disadvantages of diversification

• Can limit short-term gains if one area performs very well.
• More complex and time-consuming to manage.
• May involve higher costs or fees, especially if spread out across platforms. 
• Can feel overwhelming for new investors looking for a simpler approach. 

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How to assess portfolio diversification

Holding several different investments doesn’t guarantee your portfolio is diverse, the weighting of each investment matters too.

For example, holding ten different stocks might look diverse, but if they’re all in the same industry, you’re still exposed to the same risks.

One way to assess diversification is by looking at how much of your portfolio is concentrated in one asset class, sector, or company. Tools and portfolio trackers can help you see where your money is spread and identify any gaps or imbalances.

See our full guide on portfolio management.

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Diversification summary

Diversification is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage risk in investing. By spreading your money across different asset types, industries, and markets, you can give yourself a smoother journey towards your long-term goals.

Next in this series: How to rebalance your portfolio, why it matters and how to adjust your investments to stay on track.

What is an employee pension contribution? 

An employee contribution is the money taken from your salary to fund your pension. Depending on how your company runs its scheme, this is usually taken in one of two ways:

• Net pay: Taken from your gross salary before tax is deducted. You get full tax relief immediately (because you don’t pay income tax on that chunk of earnings). 
• Relief at source: Taken from your net pay after tax. The pension provider then claims the basic rate tax back from the government and adds it to your pot. 

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How much should I contribute to my pension? 

While auto-enrolment rules set a legal minimum, relying solely on this may not be enough for a comfortable retirement income. Financial experts sometimes suggest two strategies to set your contribution level.

Pension contribution percentages (‘half your age’ rule) 

A widely cited rule of thumb for ‘comfortable’ retirement savings is the ‘half your age’ rule.

1. Take the age you start contributing
2. Half it
3. Match total contributions to that number as a percentage until you retire

For example:

• Starting at 22? Aim for 11% total contributions
• Starting at 30? Aim for 15% total contributions
• Starting at 40? Aim for 20% total contributions

Note: Total contributions are your contributions, your employers and tax relief.

Maximising employer matching contributions 

Many employers offer a ‘matching contribution’. For example, if you increase your contributions from 5% to 7%, the employer will also contribute 7%.

If your employer offers this and you are able to make this extra contribution, maximising it ensures you receive the highest possible contribution from your employer.

Make sure if you are able to make the extra contributions, you’re claiming the maximum amount your employer will match.

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What is an employer pension contribution? 

An employer contribution is money from your employer paid into your pension. It does not come out of your salary; it’s an extra cost to the business, on top of your wages.

Because this money is paid directly into a pension, it is not liable for Income Tax or National Insurance contributions at the point of payment, making it a highly tax-efficient way to be paid.

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How much does my employer contribute to my pension? 

Your employer must contribute to your pension if you are an eligible worker. You must meet the following criteria:

• Be between age 22 and State Pension age. 
• Earn at least £10,000 a year.
• Ordinarily work in the UK. 

The amount they pay is dictated by Automatic Enrolment rules.

Note: Even if you don't meet the criteria for automatic enrolment, you may still be able to join your employer's pension scheme voluntarily. If you earn between £6,240 and £10,000 a year, or are aged 16–21 or above State Pension age, you have the right to opt in, and your employer will still be required to contribute. 

Auto-enrolment thresholds

The government sets total minimum contribution rates for employers and employees, which are currently 8% of your ‘qualifying earnings’ (between £6,240 and £50,270).

This 8% is usually split as follows:

• 3% from the employer (the legal minimum they must pay). 
• 5% pay contributions from the employee (the amount you must pay to make up the difference).

Opting out means losing your employer's 3% contribution entirely, effectively a reduction in your overall pay.". 

Read our full guide on workplace pensions.

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Pensions tax, relief and thresholds

Now we’ve covered your contributions, it’s important to understand how the government treats that money once it’s in your pension.

A pension is one of the few places you can earn money without immediate taxation. A key benefit of a pension is tax relief, where the government adds money to your pot.

However, the generosity isn’t unlimited, and there are strict thresholds on how much you can save; and how much tax-free cash you can take as a lump sum.

Read our next guide to understand the limits you need to watch out for.

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What are the biggest companies in China by market cap?

This list ranks China’s biggest public companies by market capitalisation; the cumulative value of a company's total outstanding market shares. We’ll also be highlighting other key figures, such as the company's revenue, gross profit, and 1-year return (all based on the previous fiscal year). 

Some other key facts such as the exchange the company is listed on, the founding year and country the company is headquartered in are also covered.

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1. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)

• Market cap: $349 billion‍
• Revenue: $221 billion‍
• Gross profit: N/A 
• 1-yr return: +34.6%‍
• Exchange: SSE‍
• Year founded: 1984‍
• Country: China

ICBC is the world's largest bank by total assets. As one of China's "Big Four" state-owned commercial banks, it provides a comprehensive range of financial services to a massive customer base.

• Corporate banking: Offers financial services to corporations, government agencies, and financial institutions, including loans, trade financing, and asset management.
• Personal banking: Provides a full suite of services to individuals, including deposits, loans, credit cards, and wealth management.

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2. Agricultural Bank of China (AgBank)

• Market cap: $338 billion
• Revenue: $193 billion
• Gross profit: N/A
• 1-yr return: +55.36%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1951
• Country: China

Another of the "Big Four" state-owned banks, AgBank was initially established to serve China's vast rural population but has since expanded into a major commercial bank.

• Sannong banking: A core focus on providing financial services to the agriculture, rural areas, and farmer demographics.
• Corporate & personal banking: Offers a wide range of standard banking services to both corporate and individual clients.

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3. China Construction Bank Corp. (CCB)

• Market cap: $267 billion
• Revenue: N/A
• Gross profit: N/A
• 1-yr return: +27.48%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1954
• Country: China

CCB is one of the "Big Four" state-owned banks in China and is a market leader in infrastructure loans.

• Infrastructure lending: A primary focus on providing long-term credit for major infrastructure projects like transportation and energy.
• Corporate & personal banking: Offers comprehensive financial services, including corporate finance, personal banking, and treasury operations.

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4. Kweichow Moutai Co.

• Market cap: $265 billion
• Revenue: $21.7 billion
• Gross profit: $19.5 billion
• 1-yr return: +12.17%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1999
• Country: China

Kweichow Moutai is the world's most valuable liquor company, famous for producing Moutai baijiu, a prestigious and fiery spirit that is considered China's national liquor.

• Moutai Baijiu: Production of its high-end baijiu, a spirit distilled from fermented sorghum, which is a staple at state banquets and a popular luxury gift.

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5. China Mobile Limited

• Market cap: $245 billion
• Revenue: $146 billion
• Gross profit: $38.1 billion
• 1-yr return: +8.04%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1997
• Country: China

China Mobile is the world's largest mobile network operator by number of subscribers, providing telecommunications and mobile services to a vast domestic market.

• Mobile voice & data: Its core business involves providing mobile and 5G services to over 900 million subscribers.
• Broadband & digital services: Offers wireline broadband and a range of digital services for both personal and corporate customers.

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6. Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL)

• Market cap: $228 billion
• Revenue: $52.3 billion
• Gross profit: $12 billion
• 1-yr return: +99.65%
• Exchange: SZSE
• Year founded: 2011
• Country: China

CATL is the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, supplying a huge portion of the global automotive industry.

• EV battery systems: Designs and manufactures rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles for major clients like Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen.
• Energy storage systems: Develops large-scale battery systems for storing energy from renewable sources like solar and wind.

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7. PetroChina Co. Ltd.

• Market cap: $217 billion
• Revenue: N/A
• Gross profit: N/A
• 1-yr return: +7.36%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1999
• Country: China

PetroChina is China's largest oil and gas producer and distributor, playing a pivotal role in the country's energy sector.

• Exploration & production: Manages the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas.
• Refining & chemicals: Operates refineries and chemical plants to process crude oil into a wide range of petroleum and chemical products.

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8. Bank of China Ltd.

• Market cap: $175 billion
• Revenue: $86.50 billion
• Gross profit: N/A
• 1-yr return: +16.13%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1912
• Country: China

The fourth of the "Big Four" state-owned banks, the Bank of China is the most international and diversified of the group.

• International banking: Has a significant global presence, specializing in foreign exchange and international trade finance.
• Corporate & personal banking: Provides a full range of financial services to clients both in mainland China and abroad.

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9. Foxconn Industrial Internet Co.

• Market cap: $166 billion
• Revenue: $99 billion
• Gross profit: $6.8 billion
• 1-yr return: +224.07%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 2015
• Country: China

A subsidiary of the Taiwanese giant Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), Fii focuses on the more advanced aspects of electronics manufacturing.

• High-performance computing: Manufactures cloud servers, data centers, and industrial AI solutions.
• 5G & IoT: A key producer of communications network equipment and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

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10. China Merchants Bank Co.

• Market cap: $149 billion
• Revenue: N/A
• Gross profit: N/A
• 1-yr return: +37.91%
• Exchange: SSE
• Year founded: 1987
• Country: China

China Merchants Bank is China's largest non-state-owned bank and is widely regarded as a leader in the country's retail and private banking sectors.

• Retail banking: A major focus on serving individual customers, particularly affluent clients, with a strong reputation for its credit card and wealth management services.
• Corporate banking: Provides a range of services to corporate clients, though it is best known for its retail operations.

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What are the biggest companies by total annual revenue?

• PetroChina Co.: $431.66 billion 
• Sinopec Corp.: $425.11 billion 
• China State Construction Engineering: $305.88 billion 
• China Mobile Limited: $145.74 billion 
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: $120.33 billion

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What are the biggest companies by workforce?

• BYD Company: 968,870 
• China Mobile Limited: 455,400 
• Agricultural Bank of China: 454,720 
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China: 415,160 
• China Construction Bank: 376,850

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Summary

Understanding a company's performance is crucial; it's how you truly know what you own. These metrics directly drive the value of your stocks and funds. When you understand these key drivers, you can navigate market changes with confidence, rather than just reacting to headlines.

Next we’ll be looking at the biggest companies in South America by market cap.

All market data sourced from TradingView and company reports as of 17.09.2025.

What is passive income?

Passive income refers to earnings generated with minimal ongoing effort. Unlike active income, such as wages from employment, passive income typically stems from investments, a side business, or assets that continue to generate returns without your daily involvement.

In investing, passive income can take various forms: interest from savings, dividends from stocks, rental income from property, or returns from bonds and funds. 

While setting up these income streams often requires upfront capital or effort, the long-term goal is a source of financial stability that works for you in the background.

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Advantages and disadvantages of passive income

Advantages of passive income could include:

• Financial freedom: Passive income can supplement or even replace earned income, offering more control over your time.
• Compounding benefits: Reinvesting passive earnings can accelerate long-term wealth accumulation.
• Diversification: Passive income streams can help balance risk across different asset classes and reduce reliance on employment income.

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Disadvantages of passive income could include:

• Capital requirements: Many passive income strategies require an initial investment, whether in time, money, or both.
• Market and interest rate risk: Investment returns may fluctuate, especially with stocks, bonds, and property.
• Maintenance considerations: Some “passive” strategies (like rental property) require ongoing management or decision-making.

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Passive income investing ideas

Passive income doesn’t come from a one-size-fits-all approach. Here are several tried-and-tested investing avenues for UK investors:

Dividend Stocks

Dividend-paying shares distribute a portion of a company’s profits to shareholders, typically on a quarterly or annual basis. These can provide a regular income stream in addition to any potential capital gains if the share price rises. Understand how stocks work.

• Tax note: UK investors benefit from a tax-free dividend allowance (subject to change), but income above this threshold may be taxable. Chip does not offer tax advice.
• Risk level: Moderate to high, dependent on market volatility and company performance.
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Mutual Funds & Index Trackers

Rather than picking individual shares, investing in mutual funds or index trackers offers exposure to a broad range of assets. Some funds are designed to focus on income-generating holdings, distributing returns to investors at regular intervals.

• Example instruments: UK-focused equity income funds, global dividend funds.
• Risk level: Varies, diversified funds tend to carry lower risk than individual stocks.
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Income Bonds

Income bonds (not to be confused with NS&I Income Bonds) are debt securities that pay investors regular interest over time. These are popular among risk-averse investors who prioritise predictable income.

• Considerations: Interest rates affect bond performance, when rates rise, existing bonds may become less attractive.
• Liquidity: Some income bonds can be difficult to sell before maturity.
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Property & Real Estate

Buy-to-let properties or investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can provide regular rental income and potential property value growth.

• Management effort: Rental properties involve ongoing responsibilities, finding tenants, property maintenance, and legal compliance.
• Upfront costs: Stamp duty, mortgage deposits, and ongoing fees can be significant.
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Savings Accounts

While not typically thought of as an "investment", high-interest savings accounts and cash ISAs can generate passive income in the form of interest.

• Best suited for: Conservative investors seeking capital preservation and low risk.
• Returns: Generally lower than other investment vehicles, especially during inflationary periods.

Learn more about investment types and asset classes.

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Passive and active investing summary

Passive income can be a powerful pillar in your overall investing strategy, especially for those seeking long-term wealth with less hands-on effort. 

While it's not entirely “effort-free,” with the right knowledge and setup, passive investing can complement, or even surpass, active income over time.

In the next part of our Investment Strategies series, we’ll explore the Buy and Hold strategy, a long-term option for those looking to build wealth through passive income channels.

The Bank of England Base Rate, also known as Bank Rate, holds significant influence over the UK's financial landscape, impacting borrowing costs, mortgage rates, and savings interest. 

It's important to understand the Bank of England Base Rate and how it affects your financial decisions. In this guide, we'll explain what the Bank of England Base Rate is, how it influences interest rates, its impact on the economy, and why it plays a role in influencing spending and inflation.

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What are Interest Rates?

Interest rates refer to the percentage charged or earned on borrowed money or invested funds. 

Lenders charge interest on loans as compensation for the risk and opportunity cost of lending money, while savers earn interest on their deposits as a reward for entrusting their funds to financial institutions. Learn more about interest rates.

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What is the Bank Rate?

Bank Rate, often referred to as the Bank of England Base Rate, is the key interest rate set by the Bank of England. It acts as a tool for controlling inflation and stabilising the economy. 

The Bank of England assesses economic conditions and adjusts Bank Rate accordingly to support the government's inflation target and ensure economic stability.

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How Bank Rate Affects Your Interest Rates:

Changes in Bank Rate have a ripple effect on various interest rates throughout the economy. Here's how it influences your financial decisions:

• Mortgage rates: Bank Rate influences the cost of borrowing for banks, impacting the interest rates they offer on mortgages. When Bank Rate rises, mortgage rates tend to increase, making borrowing more expensive. When Bank Rate decreases, mortgage rates may go down, providing potential savings for homeowners.
• ‍Savings interest rates: Bank Rate also affects the interest rates offered on savings accounts. Higher Bank Rates generally result in higher savings interest rates, potentially increasing the returns on your savings. Lower Bank Rates may lead to reduced savings interest rates.

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How Changes in Bank Rate Affect the Economy:

Changes in Bank Rate have a significant impact on the broader economy. Here are some key effects:

1. Borrowing costs: Changes in Bank Rate directly influence the cost of borrowing for individuals, businesses, and financial institutions. Higher rates increase borrowing costs, potentially curbing spending and investment. Lower rates encourage borrowing and stimulate economic activity.
2. ‍Inflation: Bank Rate plays a crucial role in managing inflation. When inflation is rising, the Bank of England may increase Bank Rate to reduce spending and control price increases. During economic downturns, lowering Bank Rate can encourage borrowing and spending, boosting economic activity.

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Why Does Bank Rate Influence Spending and Inflation?

Bank Rate influences spending and inflation primarily through its impact on borrowing costs. When borrowing becomes more expensive due to higher interest rates, individuals and businesses may reduce their spending, leading to a potential slowdown in economic activity and inflation.

Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper, encouraging spending, investment, and economic growth. How do interest rates affect inflation? 

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Bank Rate Summary

Understanding the Bank of England Base Rate is crucial for making informed financial decisions in the UK. The rate directly affects interest rates on mortgages and savings, impacting borrowing costs and potential returns. 

Changes in Bank Rate have far-reaching effects on the broader economy, influencing spending, investment, and inflation levels.