I believe S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares can be very appealing investments, particularly for income-focused investors. There's more to like than term deposits, that's for sure.
Term deposits certainly have their place for investors wanting to protect their capital while also generating a bit of income.
However, term deposits offer no growth prospects – they offer a fixed interest return over a time period, no more, no less. In an era where the RBA is reducing the cash rate, new term deposits are offering a lower interest rate than a year ago.
With that in mind, the below two ASX 200 shares seem much more appealing.
Image source: Getty Images
Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)
One of the main appeals of a term deposit is its defensive nature. I think Telstra is one of the most defensive ASX 200 shares around. Households and businesses seem to put a very high importance on their internet connection, with Telstra providing the connection to households through its mobile, wireless broadband and NBN offerings.
With subscribers attracted to the leading network that Telstra provides, with its geographic coverage and spectrum assets, the company's total subscriber base continues to grow. I like the operating leverage this business can deliver as the network costs are spread across a larger subscriber base. This can lead to rising profit margins over time.
Not only can rising profit boost the Telstra share price, but it can also lead to a rising dividend, which is currently occurring. In the FY25 result, Telstra's board of directors decided to declare a full-year dividend of 5.6% to 19 cents per share.
At the current Telstra share price, the ASX 200 share has a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.4%, including franking credits. That's stronger than what we can get from a term deposit.
Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP)
This is one of my favourite real estate investment trusts (REITs) because of the type of properties it's invested in.
Industrial properties are exposed to a few different drivers that are collectively driving the underlying value and rental potential of the real estate. Those tailwinds include e-commerce growth, data centre (and AI) growth and demand for refrigeration space (thanks to medicine and food).
Commercial property can provide a stronger yield than both residential property and term deposits, as well as providing long-term capital growth.
The ASX 200 share reported 5.8% like-for-like net operating income (NOI) growth in the FY25 result and funds from operations (FFO – net rental profit) growth of 2% year-over-year.
It's expecting to grow its FFO per unit by 6% in FY26 and the distribution per unit could grow by 3% to 16.8 cents. At the current Centuria Industrial unit price, it's trading at 5%. Again, that's better passive income than what a term deposit offers and it's delivering growth.
Falling interest rates could help drive the underlying value of the properties higher and reduce interest costs (boosting rental profits).
