📊 Most-Bought Funds on Interactive Investor
Interactive Investor publishes a monthly ranking based on number of buys across its platforms. For July 2025, the most popular funds were:
- Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund
- Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity
- L&G Global Technology Index Trust
- HSBC FTSE All‑World Index
- Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index
- Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equity
- Artemis Global Income
- Vanguard LifeStrategy 60% Equity
- Fidelity Index World
- Ranmore Global Equity (Interactive Investor)
Notable active fund inflows (also by number of buys) included:
- Artemis Global Income I Acc (#2 of active)
- Ranmore Global Equity Institutional GBP (#3)
- Artemis SmartGARP European Equity (#4)
- Fundsmith Equity (#6 in active)
- Artemis UK Select (#7)
- Orbis OEIC Global Balanced (#8)
- WS Blue Whale Growth R Sterling Acc (#9)
- Jupiter India (#10) (Interactive Investor)
💼 Fidelity Platform Popular Funds (ISA & SIPP Investors)
Fidelity’s reporting reflects retail investor behavior across ISA and SIPP accounts. The Top 10 funds purchased in July included:
- Fidelity Cash Fund
- Fidelity Index World Fund
- Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund
- Fidelity Global Dividend Fund
- Legal & General Global Technology Index Trust
- Artemis Global Income Fund
- Fidelity Index US Fund
- Fidelity Global Technology Fund
- Artemis SmartGARP European Equity Fund
- Fidelity Special Situations Fund (Fidelity International)
🔍 Key Trends & Insights
1. Cash and Cash‑Equivalent Funds Dominate
- The Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund led both platforms, reflecting investor appetite for cash-like returns with low risk in a climate of lingering uncertainty.
- Fidelity Cash Fund also topped Fidelity’s list. These funds typically offer returns linked to the Bank of England base rate (~4.25%), appealing to investors wanting liquidity and preservation.
2. Passive Global Equity Strategies Are King
- Low-cost trackers like Fidelity Index World, Vanguard LifeStrategy series, HSBC FTSE All‑World, and Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap featured prominently, underscoring the strong tilt toward diversified, global passive exposure.
- Vanguard’s strategic equity ETFs and L&G’s Global Technology trust captured market interest amid equities outperformance.
3. Income and Active Strategies Hold Their Ground
- Artemis Global Income, with a 2.5% historic yield and limited U.S. exposure, attracted consistent inflows.
- Artemis SmartGARP European Equity and Ranmore Global Equity also drew investor interest for their active value-growth blended strategies and strong long-term records.
- Fundsmith Equity maintained a steady presence in the active top‑10 list, despite broader outflows from star managers elsewhere (The Times, Interactive Investor).
4. Technology and Thematic Investing Still Resonates
- The L&G Global Technology Index Trust ranked third on interactive investor, reflecting ongoing demand for tech exposure amid strong corporate earnings from U.S. giants.
- Fidelity’s Global Technology Fund also secured a spot in the platform’s top buys.
5. Diversification Across Risk Profiles
- Assets range from low-risk money market to balanced LifeStrategy portfolios (60%, 80%, 100% equity).
- Investors are mixing passive equity funds, dividend-paying income trusts, and niche active strategies like Ranmore and Blue Whale Growth to build flexibility in market cycles.
📋 Comparison Table
| Rank (Platform) | Fund Name | Type / Strategy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (ii) / 3 (Fidelity) | Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund | Ultra-short duration / cash-like | Park funds safely awaiting opportunities |
| 2 (ii) | Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity | Mixed investment (80% equity) | Balanced global equity exposure |
| 3 (ii) / 5 (Fidelity) | L&G Global Technology Index Trust | Global tech tracker | Technology growth exposure |
| 4 (ii) | HSBC FTSE All‑World Index | Global equity index tracker | Very broad diversification |
| 5 (ii) | Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index | Global total market tracker | All-cap global exposure |
| 6 (ii) / 1 (Fidelity) | Fidelity Cash Fund | Money market fund | Steady low-risk returns |
| 7 (ii) | Artemis Global Income I Acc | Global equity income fund | Dividend income focus |
| 8 (ii) | Vanguard LifeStrategy 60% Equity | Mixed investment (60% equity) | Moderate risk exposure |
| 9 (ii) / 2 (Fidelity) | Fidelity Index World Fund | Passive global equity tracker | High global equity appetite |
| 10 (ii) | Ranmore Global Equity Institutional GBP | Active global equities fund | Value/contrarian global equity |
(ii = interactive investor platform ranking)
🧭 Why These Funds Are Leading the Pack
- Cost-conscious investing: Passive trackers dominate due to low fees, tax efficiency, and global diversification.
- Risk management focus: Money market and mixed asset funds offer predictable returns amid market volatility.
- Demand for passive income: Income funds like Artemis cater to retirees and conservative investors seeking yield.
- Active strategies still matter selectively: Investors appear willing to pay for long-term alpha via disciplined funds like Ranmore, Artemis SmartGARP, and Fundsmith.
- Tech sector confidence: Continued investor faith in AI, cloud, and mega-cap tech growth keeps technology-themed funds in strong demand.
📍 What Investors Should Consider
- Align with your risk tolerance: Money market funds suit preservation; LifeStrategy funds offer balanced equity exposure based on risk appetite.
- Diversify your approach: Passive, active income, and tech strategies can co-exist—just balance them according to long-term goals.
- Watch manager track records: Run-of-the-mill star managers may struggle—focus on consistent performers like Artemis or Ranmore, but be mindful of fees.
- Stay aware of economic context: Onshore rate signals, inflation data, and tech earnings likely influence whether investors buy or hold cash.
🔑 Key Takeaway
The most-bought UK investment funds in July 2025 highlight a market seeking security, diversification, and income. Low-cost passive global trackers and short-term money market funds dominated inflows, reflecting investor caution in an uncertain environment. However, actively managed strategies with strong long-term performance—particularly in dividend income and global equities—continue to attract discerning investors.
In short: UK investors are hedging with cash-like safety and low-cost global exposure, while selectively choosing funds with proven active strategies.
Disclosure:
The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, trading advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. All facts and figures should be independently verified; while we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Every investment carries risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always conduct your own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any investment decision.