“We’re seeing more and more Spanish investors fighting inflation by moving idle cash from banks and investing in financial instruments such as stocks and funds to diversify their portfolios. However, still too few Spaniards invest, not least because of the fragmented offers by current brokers in the market, for example with time-limited and capped interest offers.”

Investment platform Lightyear has made a significant move by integrating with the Madrid and Barcelona stock exchanges, introducing Spanish stocks to its offerings.

This strategic expansion allows Spanish investors to access the IBEX 35, which lists 35 of Spain’s largest companies, marking a key development in Lightyear’s pursuit of providing transparent and low-cost access to international markets.

Despite the quadrupling of investment in funds over the past decade, participation in investment among Spaniards remains low. Lightyear’s initiative aims to address this gap by offering Spanish investors a straightforward and affordable gateway to both local and international markets, including the recent addition of BlackRock MMFs.

Fighting inflation by investing in stocks and funds

Lightyear’s connection to the Madrid and Barcelona Stock Exchanges through the IBEX 35 symbolizes a significant step towards democratizing investment for Spanish investors. The platform now features 35 local stocks, including prominent companies like Caixabank, Banco Santander, Melia Hotels, and Repsol. These stocks represent not only major Spanish businesses but also globally recognized entities. For instance, Telefonica, the parent company of Movistar and O2, is among Europe’s leading mobile network providers. Additionally, Inditex, which is Spain’s largest stock by market cap, owns several international home and clothing brands such as Zara, Bershka, and Massimo Dutti.

Álvaro Quesada Vargas, Head of Growth at Lightyear, highlighted the challenges faced by Spanish investors and Lightyear’s commitment to overcoming these barriers. “We’re seeing more and more Spanish investors fighting inflation by moving idle cash from banks and investing in financial instruments such as stocks and funds to diversify their portfolios. However, still too few Spaniards invest, not least because of the fragmented offers by current brokers in the market, for example with time-limited and capped interest offers. We aim to change that. Lightyear is bringing Spanish investors low-cost, transparent access to their local market, alongside global stocks and funds – and finally with fair interest rates on uninvested cash,” he stated.

With its recent expansion into the Spanish market, Lightyear has positioned itself as a game-changer for local investors. By providing low-cost, transparent access to major Spanish stocks alongside a global portfolio, Lightyear addresses the low investment rates among Spaniards.

This move not only diversifies investment options for Spanish investors but also contributes to the broader financial literacy and investment culture in Spain. Lightyear’s integration with major Spanish exchanges is a pivotal step in making investment more accessible and appealing to a wider audience, potentially altering the landscape of personal finance and investment in Spain.