Where did our clients invest last month?

It's true that the below funds below were popular last month, but you should always keep in mind that investments go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount invested. Remember the golden rule: a fund’s past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

10. HSBC American Index

Is this fund the answer to the problems faced by active fund managers?

Manager: HSBC Global Asset Management

What’s in there? Procter & Gamble, Apple

About the fund: this fund aims to provide long-term capital growth – promising so far – by matching the capital performance of the S&P 500 Index by replicating its stocks. It’s not easy for active fund managers to add value to the large cap end of the American stock market, so this fund could be a good alternative…

9.      Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust

Did you know: Amazon’s founder, needs-no-introduction Jeff Bezos, recently backed a tax rise on companies?

Manager: James Anderson

What’s in there? Alibaba, Amazon

About the fund: most of the fund will be held in quoted equities (aka they’re on the stock market). It aims to maximise total returns from long-term investments that are chosen on merit – an interesting and ‘fair’ way of looking at things.

8.      Liontrust Special Situations

Intellectual property – not a skyscraper who’s a member of Mensa – is an example of ‘economic advantage’ for the managers of this fund.

Manager: Anthony Cross/Julian Fosh

What’s in there? Unilever, Sage, Reckitt Benckiser

About the fund: The fund has a bias to mid and small cap companies. The managers look for companies with an ‘economic advantage’ such as intellectual property (copyright, trade secrets (very 007)) and stay away from economically sensitive areas such as banking and mining.

7.      Tilney Maximum Growth Portfolio

Our MOST adventurous portfolio – think Boudicca, the Celtic Iceni tribe queen who led an uprising against the Roman Empire’s forces.

Manager: Tilney

What’s in there? Asset allocation – 86% equity. Geographical – 54% UK. Capitalisation – 59% large.

About the fund: this firecracker is for those with a very high tolerance for risk and who are going to be investing for a long time. It’s designed to deliver high growth by investing in UK and global stock markets but also has substantial exposure to both smaller companies and markets outside the UK, including emerging markets and Asia. Stock markets can be particularly volatile in the short term and investments in smaller companies and overseas markets carry their own risks. Eek.

6.      Lindsell Train Global Equity

The managers have a distinct investment style, taking large positions in a small number of high-conviction businesses.

Manager: Michael Lindsell/Nick Train

What’s in there? Heineken, Pearson London Stock Exchange

About the fund: This fund invests worldwide, in mainly developed markets. The portfolio consists of larger companies with an overweight (more investment there) to Japan. Given the quality and stability of these businesses, this doesn’t necessarily increase risk. In fact, their funds have typically offered a slight hedge in falling markets

5.      Baillie Gifford American

Manager: Gary Robinson / Ian Tabberer

What’s in there? Alphabet, Wayfair

About the fund: this fund selects large and medium-sized companies that the managers believe have long-term growth potential and trade on reasonable valuations. The fund is managed from Edinburgh but the team do visit the US, when they are allowed to travel that is!

4.      Tilney Adventurous Portfolio

Adventurous – think the Little Prince, hopping between various planets in space.

Manager: Tilney

What’s in there? Asset allocation – 74% equity. Geographical – 54% UK. Capitalisation – 60% large caps.

About the fund: high tolerance for risk and a long term investment horizon? Here we are! This fund has a large exposure to shares, including smaller companies, emerging markets and Asia, meaning a higher chance of short-term volatility… hold on tight!

3.      Tilney Growth Portfolio

We’ve moved up a few spots since last month – top three this time, lucky us!

Manager: Tilney

What’s in there? Asset allocation – 64% equity. Geographical – 53% UK. Capitalisation – 61% large caps.

About the fund: if you’re ready to play the long game, take on risk and want some diversification away from the stock market, this one could be for you. Some of the investment features have exposure to smaller companies, emerging markets and Asia (open to risk). But the rest of the fund is spread across bonds and other areas (actually help reduce risk).

2.      Fundsmith Equity

A constant favourite in our monthly top 10.

Manager: Terry Smith

What’s in there? L’Oréal, PayPal

About the fund: Terry Smith has enjoyed a long and successful career in finance, and probably also enjoyed upsetting the establishment with his book Accounting for Growth in the 90s! He invests in a concentrated portfolio of large, liquid stocks, then holds them for the long term – it’s known as a buy-and-hold strategy.

1.      Baillie Gifford Global Discovery

First place again, there’s no stopping this fund.

Manager: Douglas Brodie

What’s in there? Staar Surgical, Lendingtree

About the fund: The fund's objective is to provide above average total returns over the long-term. Around 80% of the portfolio is made up of stocks with a market capitalisation of no more than US$3bn

How to invest in these funds

All of these funds (plus thousands more) can be bought in our award-winning Best SIPP and Stocks & Shares ISA or in an investment account. (Psst – see our full awards list here.) These offer great value for money and give you control over your investments. It’s quick and easy to open an account with us – take a look below. Please read the important information below and make sure you understand the risks before investing.

OPEN A SIPP*

OPEN AN ISA

Speak to us

For more information on the Best SIPP, our Stocks & Shares ISA, investment account or any of these funds, please get in touch by calling us on 020 7189 9999 or emailing us at best@bestinvest.co.uk.

 

Important information

The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you can get back less than you originally invested.  Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Before investing in funds please check the specific risk factors in the Key Features Document or refer to our risk warning notice as some funds can be high risk or complex; they may also have risks relating to the geographical area, industry sector and/or underlying assets in which they invest.

This article does not constitute personal advice. If you are in doubt as to the suitability of an investment please contact a financial adviser. It is based on our opinions which may change

*SIPPs are not suitable for everyone. They may not be right for you if you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices available to you. Please contact us for guidance or advice if you are unsure.