Is Livret A about to lose its status as a favorite savings product for the French? As of February 1, the rate of pay for the 55 million existing A passbooks will drop to 0.5%. A floor threshold never reached and far below inflation. Under these conditions, should you keep your livret A? And if so, how much should you leave on knowing that the ceiling is set at 22,950 euros?
"For savers, the negative real return on the passbook A rate ( Editor's note: by including inflation ) will lead to a capital loss", notes Élie Edery, director of the French-speaking department of the trading platform eToro. "Even if it involves risks, investing in equities remains one of the most effective methods to grow its capital in the long term", underlines the company whose core business is to facilitate access to the stock markets .
Be careful though! Experts agree on this advice, intended for (good) fathers and mothers: "Put only money that you are ready ... to lose! For the rest, the statistics will undoubtedly whet the appetite of those who like to take risks. Indeed, according to a study by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), the average return on an investment in equities was 5.6% between 1987 and 2017 against 1.3% for the Livret A.
No equivalent on the market
But do not convert all the savings from your passbook A into shares "Do not ask for the closure of your account," insists François Chaulet, the managing director of Montségur Finance, a wealth management company. "This remunerated and particularly liquid savings product ( Editor's note allowing you to have your money quickly ) has no equivalent on the market".
Even with a rate of 0.5%, François Chaulet does not begin the funeral praise of booklet A, far from it. "Today, no monetary Sicav ( NDLR of investment companies allowing to place its money on the stock market ) can do as well". The experts we consulted recommend placing about three months' salary on the Livret A, which is called precautionary savings. It is used to deal with the unexpected, whether it is repairing the car, changing the dishwasher ... An essential reason suggesting that the booklet A could still surprise. Last year, with an already low rate, it had made a record collection. Before doing even better in 2020?
