There isn’t a single “best-performing” UK fund because it depends on the time period (1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years) and the type of fund (equity, bond, index, technology, emerging markets, etc.). A fund that tops the charts one year may perform poorly the next.
That said, if you’re looking at long-term performance, some funds that have historically been among the stronger performers include:
| Fund | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fundsmith Equity Fund | Global Equity | Long-term focus on high-quality companies; one of the UK’s most popular active funds. |
| Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust* | Global Growth | Invests in innovative companies; can be very volatile. (*Investment trust rather than an open-ended fund.) |
| Fidelity Index World Fund | Global Index | Low-cost tracker following developed global markets. |
| Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund | Global Index | Broad global diversification with low fees. |
| Liontrust Sustainable Future Global Growth Fund | Global Equity | Sustainable investing with a strong long-term record in some periods. |
If by “best performing” you mean highest recent returns (e.g. over the last year), the leaders are often specialist funds focused on areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence and technology
- US large-cap growth
- Semiconductor companies
- Indian equities
These can outperform dramatically in bull markets but also carry substantially higher risk.
For most investors, experts generally recommend focusing on:
- Long-term performance (5–10 years or more)
- Low costs
- Diversification
- A fund that matches your risk tolerance and investment goals
