Bestinvest’s Latest ‘Best Funds List’ Highlights the Top Fund Picks Favoured by its Research Specialists

With the usual pre-Budget uptick in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and pension contributions expected over the next couple of months, DIY investors might be searching for inspiration on where to invest their hard-earned cash from the thousands of options available. To help support investors as they navigate the myriad of options, online platform and coaching service Bestinvest has published its latest Best Funds List – a guide to the top funds, investment trusts and Exchange-Traded Products (ETP) chosen by its research specialists. The List is designed to help self-directed investors identify high-quality investment options across a broad range of markets, sectors, geographies and styles – from actively managed funds and investment trusts to low-cost passive strategies and ESG-focused options too. 

Backed by the expertise of the more than 300 investment management professionals at Evelyn Partners – one of the UK’s leading wealth managers with £64.6 billion assets under management and the parent firm behind Bestinvest – the Best Funds List is an effective way to ease the decision-making process for investors unsure about which funds to pick as it reflects the same rigorous selection process used in the client portfolios managed by Evelyn Partners. 

“As speculation mounts over potential changes to the way pensions, savings and investments are taxed, we anticipate that many investors will once again choose to utilise their tax-free ISA and pensions allowances ahead of the Budget, as they did last year,” said Jason Hollands, Managing Director of Bestinvest. “But once an ISA is funded, it is vital to choose the right investments to meet desired savings goals, risk tolerance and time horizons and which will fit alongside existing holdings. This can be a daunting process, even for the most seasoned investors given the breadth of choice. That’s where our Best Funds List comes in – offering a curated selection of funds that our research team believe stand out in their respective categories.” 

The latest edition features 142 funds, which includes: 

• 112 actively managed investments, comprising 85 funds and 27 investment trusts, selected for their potential to deliver market-beating returns over the longer term. 

• 45 passive options, including both traditional index tracker funds and Exchange Traded Products, that fee-conscious investors may prefer. 
• 13 ESG-focused investments, for those seeking to align their portfolios with environmental and social values. 

“Deciding which funds qualify as ‘best’ is a process that relies on the expertise of our investment specialists,” said Hollands. “Selecting an investment solely on past performance is never enough. Our specialists regularly meet fund managers to assess their philosophy, risk management approach, and suitability for different market conditions. We also consider factors such as fund size and the scalability of the strategy, as well as manager tenure. This ensures that every fund on the List has been thoroughly vetted. 

“The inclusion of passive options in addition to listed investment companies and trusts ensures the List stands out against some other platform ‘best buy’ lists that typically stick to open-ended funds. We also include investment choices for investors wanting their investment portfolio to reflect their ESG preferences, which continues to be a priority for some investors.” 

While the Best Funds List is published twice a year, it is never static as investments are added or removed throughout the year. This can happen if an investment strategy or investment manager changes and we feel it is best to remove our support or if a fund becomes oversized and requires a different management style to keep it on track. Any alterations to the List are instantly reflected on the Bestinvest website. Details of the newcomers and dropouts on the latest List, in comparison to the last edition published in March, can be found on Page 5.        

Hollands added: “With 142 investment options on the List’s latest edition, investors must still consider what works for their own portfolio, time horizon, goals and risk profile. Remember, anyone funding an ISA or SIPP to take advantage of today’s current crop of tax-free allowances doesn’t need to make their investment selection in a hurry. Money held in cash can still attract a competitive interest rate on the Bestinvest platform while investors take their time to make their investment picks.  

“Ultimately, this List is there to offer ideas and inspiration to investors looking to make the right decisions on new investments, that will also fit alongside any existing holdings in their portfolios. Investors that want further guidance on their investment strategy beyond the List can book a free virtual coaching session with a qualified financial planner at Bestinvest. For a personalised portfolio review with recommendations, we also offer a Portfolio Health Check service which attracts a one-off fixed fee.”