Top 10 best-selling ISA and SIPP funds in October

Investors were interested in two things last month: cash and global tracker funds. This might reflect a degree of unease. Although stocks remain popular, the safety of cash is proving hard to resist as markets get jittery. Plus, interest rates mean cash offers a decent return nowadays. 

Let’s dive into the detail.

Global trackers

The popularity of passive investing was on full display in October.

Fidelity Index World Fund, Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index, HSBC FTSE All World Index and Legal & General Global Equity Index Fund were firm favourites with ISA and SIPP customers.  

These funds let you invest in companies from around the world for a low fee. They have ongoing charges of between just 0.12% and 0.23%.

• Read: Which global index fund is best for you?

Global tracker funds might all sound the same, but there are some key differences to be aware of. The Fidelity fund focuses exclusively on developed markets. It invests in about 1,250 companies and its top 10 holdings represent nearly 30% of the portfolio.

The Vanguard fund casts its net wider, investing in developed and emerging markets. Its top 10 holdings represent 22% of the total portfolio and it invests in over 7,000 stocks. This additional diversification comes at a higher cost. 

The HSBC and L&G funds sit somewhere in between in terms of holdings and fees.

• Looking for personalised financial advice? Our advisory service can help you plan for your next step

One thing to consider when choosing a global tracker is how much exposure you want to the US. American companies dominate the market, so even the more diversified funds have a lot of US holdings. Some investors prefer to go a step further and invest exclusively in American companies - for example, via the Fidelity Index US Fund. 

Cash

For a while, it seemed like cash would take a back seat this year. However, conflict in the Middle East has reignited inflation fears, keeping interest rates higher than expected.

Investors have been paying attention. The Fidelity Cash Fund, the Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund and the Legal & General Cash Trust flew off the shelf in October. 

Money market funds - also known as cash funds - act a bit like variable-rate savings accounts. They are very low risk and aim to track UK interest rates. They do this by investing your money in things like government debt and short-term bonds from financially strong companies. 

• Read: What is a money market fund? The basics 

The Legal & General Short Dated Sterling Corporate Bond Index was also a hit with ISA investors in October. This is a bond fund, rather than a cash fund, meaning it is higher risk. However, its popularity reinforces the idea that customers are diversifying away from equities into safer assets. 

Income-focused equity funds such as Fidelity Global Dividend Fund and Artemis Global Income Fund have fallen out of the rankings.

Actively managed funds

A smattering of actively managed funds made it onto October’s best-sellers list. One was long-standing favourite Fidelity Special Situations Fund. This fund looks for unloved UK stocks, with a leaning towards mid- and small-cap companies. The result is a varied portfolio of individual turnaround stories at different stages of recovery. 

Lazard Emerging Markets was also popular last month. This fund mainly invests in Asia and Latin America and looks for companies that are cheaper than the market but with better fundamental prospects. It aims to outperform the MSCI Emerging Markets Index with less volatility.

Crucially, the fund is wary of some of the Asian mega-caps, which have been extremely volatile this year. It underweights TSMC and SK Hynix, for example - although they remain the fund’s top holdings.

Last up is Artemis SmartGARP Global Equity Fund. This fund works differently to the others. Rather than relying on human stock-pickers, it has an in-house software tool that screens thousands of companies and millions of data points every day. The most promising stocks are then reviewed by a fund manager.

The fund has 113 holdings and about 45% of the portfolio is in the US, as of the end of September. There is an eclectic mix of names, with tech superstars such as Alphabet sitting alongside General Motors and Citigroup. The biggest holding is US computer vendor Dell Technologies. 

Best-selling ISA funds in October 

1. Fidelity Index World Fund
2. Fidelity Cash Fund
3. Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund
4. HSBC FTSE All World Index Fund
5. Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund
6. Legal & General Global Equity Index Fund
7. Artemis SmartGARP Global Equity Fund
8. Lazard Emerging Markets Fund
9. Legal & General Short Dated Sterling Corporate Bond Index Fund
10. Legal & General Cash Trust

Source: Fidelity International. Net ISA sales in October 2026 for Personal Investors only.

Best-selling SIPP funds in October

1. Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund
2. Fidelity Index World Fund 
3. Fidelity Cash Fund 
4. HSBC FTSE All World Index Fund 
5. Legal & General Cash Trust
6. Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund 
7. Fidelity Special Situations Fund
8. Legal & General Global Equity Index Fund
9. Fidelity Index US Fund
10. Fidelity Multi Asset Allocator Growth Fund (Retirement Builder) 

Source: Fidelity International. Net ISA sales in October 2026 for Personal Investors only.

Got a burning question you want to ask? Why not drop us a line. Click here to ask your question.

• Read: Why has this Vanguard ETF become an instant best-seller?
• Read: ISA ideas: low-cost index tracker fund options
• Read: 5 steps to safeguard your cash

Important information: - investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. Before investing into a fund, please read the relevant key information document which contains important information about the fund. Eligibility to invest in a SIPP or ISA and tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. Withdrawals from a SIPP will not normally be possible until you reach age 55 (57 from 2028). Overseas investments will be affected by movements in currency exchange rates. Investments in emerging markets can be more volatile than other more developed markets. Reference to specific securities should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell these securities and is included for the purposes of illustration only. There is a risk that the issuers of bonds may not be able to repay the money they have borrowed or make interest payments. When interest rates rise, bonds may fall in value. Rising interest rates may cause the value of your investment to fall. An investment in a money market fund is different from an investment in deposits, as the principal invested in an money market fund is capable of fluctuation. Fidelity’s money market funds do not rely on external support for guaranteeing the liquidity of the money market funds or stabilising the NAV per unit or share. An investment in a money market fund is not guaranteed. This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to one of Fidelity’s advisers or an authorised financial adviser of your choice.