Over the past month, we examine the best funds, stocks, and trusts where investors have placed their money
Each month, we examine the best stocks, funds, and trusts that make up investors' portfolios.
According to the most recent user data from interactive investor, investors who were concerned about inflation and Trump tariffs seemed to turn to gold in February.
Energy sector-focused engineer John Wood Group, along with longtime favorites Nvidia and Tesla, is rapidly rising to the top of the list of stocks recommended for do-it-yourself investors, indicating that some investors are still eager for adventure.
The Royal London Short-Term Money Market fund maintains its trend of dominance in the top spot for fund selections.
It should come as no surprise that the Vanguards SandP 500 Ucits ETF is still the most popular index fund given the strength of the US stock market and the Magnificent 7's ongoing ascent.
In the trust market, investors continue to support Scottish Mortgage, which is a stronghold in BFIA's investment trust portfolio.
Here are the top investments made in the past month, based on data from the investment platform Interactive Investor (ii). What other stocks, funds, and trusts are investors falling in love with, and what is attracting attention?
Throughout February, investors seem to be adopting a cautious strategy that combines defensive positions with a worldwide focus.
Geopolitical worries about ongoing hostilities in the Middle East and Ukraine may be the cause of this, as inflation in the UK increased more than anticipated in January.
Royal London Short Term Money Market was the most traded active open-ended fund in February. iShares Physical Gold, the second most traded index fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the same month, is another defensive strategy that is proving to be successful.
"During the past year or so, geopolitics has been driving up the price of gold. Buying from central banks has increased as a result of the war in Ukraine and rising Middle East tensions, according to Kyle Caldwell, interactive investor's editor of funds and investment education.
Another factor at work is inflation, in addition to being viewed as a hedge against economic uncertainty. Some analysts believe that inflation may exceed central bankers' projections for 2025, and gold is frequently seen as an inflation hedge.
For the first time since last September, Allianz Technology, Jupiter India, and Polar Capital Technology have made a comeback to the top 10 most-bought investment trust table, attracting more daring investors.
The ten most active open-ended funds.
L&G Cash Trust Artemis Global Income WS Blue Whale Growth Fund The top ten most bought index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are Royal London Short Term Money Market Fundsmith Equity Jupiter India Baillie Gifford American Artemis UK Select Fund Orbis Global Balanced Standard Fund Atemis US Smaller Companies.
Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF iShares Physical Gold ETF Vanguard LifeStrategy 80 percent equity fund L&G Global Technology Index Trust Fidelity Index World HSBC FTSE All World Index Vanguard LifeStrategy 100 percent equity Vanguard LifeStrategy 60 percent equity Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund iShares Core MSCI World UCITS ET.
Thanks to its exposure to technology, Scottish Mortgage remained the most purchased trust. Nvidia, Tesla, ASML Holdings, and Meta are among its top ten holdings.
While there was movement in other investment trusts in February, the top three stayed the same.
The Renewables Infrastructure Group was a newcomer to this list, placing ninth, while Assura dropped from fourth to tenth.
F&C Investment Trust Polar Capital Technology Alliance Witan Allianz Technology The Renewables Infrastructure Group Assura Scottish Mortgage Greencoat UK Wind JP Morgan Global Growth & Income 3i Group.
John Wood Group, an engineer with a focus on the energy sector, was surprisingly the most purchased stock during the month as investors search for deals.
Keith Bowman, an equity analyst at Interactive Investor, says, "A trading update saw John Wood Group offering some reassurance regarding an ongoing audit review of its accounts by Deloitte but also detailing outlook forecasts below its own prior November estimates."
"A new strategy regarding a potential takeover offer from Sidara, based in Dubai, increased investor interest. In February, Wood Group's stock dropped 49%.
In the meantime, after revealing record-breaking yearly profits, BAE Systems entered the top ten during the month.
Additionally, the manufacturer of defense equipment anticipates higher adjusted profits in 2025.
"A record order book of 77.8 billion, up 11 percent year-over-year, supports an expected gain in 2025 profits of up to 10 percent," Bowman continued. In February, BAE shares increased by 15%.
Nvidia, a manufacturer of computer chips, continued to attract investors in spite of its recent financial results.
In other news, Legal & General maintained its focus thanks to a dividend yield of more than 8%, while Rolls-Royce announced an unexpected £1 billion share buyback program, which helped sustain investor interest.
Palantir Technologies Glencore MicroStrategy Legal & General BAE Systems Eurasia Mining Additional Interactive Investor HSBC John Wood Group Nvidia Tesla Rolls Royce Palantir Technologies.
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