There isn’t a single “best” fund for everyone, but if you’re investing for the long term (10+ years), these are among the strongest choices available to UK investors:
- Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund
- Best for: A simple, one-fund portfolio.
- Invests in thousands of companies across developed and emerging markets.
- Low cost and highly diversified.
- Often recommended as a core holding for long-term investors. (Fidelity International)
- HSBC FTSE All-World Index Fund
- Best for: Low-cost global exposure.
- Tracks large and mid-sized companies worldwide.
- Generally has competitive fees and broad diversification. (Fidelity International)
- Fidelity Index World Fund
- Best for: Developed-market exposure.
- Covers major markets such as the US, UK, Europe, and Japan.
- Suitable if you don’t mind having little or no emerging market exposure. (Fidelity International)
- Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity Fund
- Best for: Investors who want a mix of shares and bonds in one fund.
- Automatically maintains its asset allocation.
- Less volatile than investing entirely in equities. (Forbes)
If I had to pick just one
For most UK investors with a long investment horizon, Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund is one of the strongest all-round choices because it provides global diversification, low costs, and requires very little ongoing management. (Fidelity International)
As always, ensure the fund matches your risk tolerance and investment time horizon, and remember that the value of investments can go down as well as up.
