Do it yourself investing

Investment ideas

Our curated list of preferred investment ideas covering funds and investment trusts allow you to filter by investment type or sector and find options for responsible investing.

Preferred list How we choose our list

Our Preferred List

Experienced Collective Research Team

Compiled by our experienced Collectives Research Team and designed to provide a helpful shortlist of investment options for the consideration of investors who wish to make new cash investments.

For Direct Investment Clients

Aimed at clients who are self-directed, non-advised investors, undertaking their own research and seeking ideas for exposure to certain investment sectors as part of a diversified portfolio.

Not a personal recommendation

The investments on the list should always be considered only from the perspective of making new cash investments. Removal of a fund from this list should not be viewed as a suggestion or recommendation to sell holdings.

Filter our Direct Investment Service Preferred List
We have 72 investments for you to choose from
Investment name Management group Type Total ongoing charges Sector/Geography
Aberforth Smaller Companies IT Aberforth Partners Actively managed 1.12% UK Smaller Companies
Allianz Technology IT Allianz Global Invtrs GmbH(UK) Actively managed 1.15% Specialist
Artemis Global Income Artemis Fund Managers Limited Actively managed 1.58% Global Equity Income
Artemis US Extended Alpha Artemis Fund Managers Limited Actively managed 3.1% North America
Asian Total Return Inv Co Plc Schroder Investment Management Actively managed 1.69% Asia
Baillie Gifford Japan IT Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd Actively managed 1.15% Japan
Baillie Gifford Positive Change Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd Actively managed 0.71% Global
BlackRock Continental European Income BlackRock Actively managed 1.08% Europe
BlackRock European Dynamic BlackRock Actively managed 1.14% Europe
BlackRock Frontier Markets IT BlackRock Investment Managemen Actively managed 1.97% Global Emerging Markets
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Information presented on this website is not personal advice based on your personal circumstances. No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal. Investment decisions in funds and other collective investments should only be made after reading the Key Investor Information Document or Key Information Document, Supplementary Information Document and Prospectus. If you are unsure of the suitability of your investment please seek professional advice. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The value of investments, and any income derived from them, may fall as well as rise. The removal of an investment from the Direct Investment Service Preferred List does not constitute a recommendation to sell.

Explore more investment options

Search for an investment

Choose from a wide range of investments - funds, stocks & shares, investments trusts and ETFs.

Charles Stanley Funds

Choose from one of our funds, ready-made investments managed by Charles Stanley’s Investment Professionals.

Starter Portfolios

Our starter portfolios assemble a range of investments from our preferred list reflecting different investment outlooks.

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Direct Investment Service Preferred List

How we select our investments

Our research department specialises in providing comprehensive and continuous coverage of a wide range of UK-listed companies, investment trusts and other investment products. The list is derived from detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis, which aims to highlight “best of breed” funds from across the major sectors in the context of their strategy and style.

Philosophy

We believe detailed research can identify skilful active fund managers capable of adding value over the longer term. We are patient, willing to consider all styles of investing, and mindful that at times active management does not always offer value for money versus passive funds.

Screening

We aim to put performance into perspective; our specially designed screening process generates investment ideas based on performance metrics in the context of style, without revealing the investment name to ensure no bias. We then monitor each investment we identify as part of our research cycle.

Analysis

We conduct hundreds of fund manager meetings each year alongside in-depth fund research and performance analysis. We aim to ensure chosen funds excel in our four “P’s”, People, Process, Performance and Price, through examination of key characteristics such as risk, style, sustainability, governance, charges, operations and capacity.

Most bought investments this week

Take a look at the 10 most bought Funds (OEICs, Unit Trusts and equivalent daily dealt funds) and Shares (London stock market listed shares including Exchange Traded Funds and Investment Trusts) in the last 7 days through our Online Direct Investment Service.

Most bought funds

Name Buy Price Change
Fidelity Index World 294.84 +1.75 (+0.6%)
Fundsmith Equity 639.15 +3.53 (+0.56%)
Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equity 314.4629 +1.75 (+0.56%)
UBS S&P 500 Index 1.6234 +0.02 (+1%)
Royal London Short Term Money Market 108.1262 +0.02 (+0.02%)
Fidelity Index US 384.18 +2.69 (+0.71%)
Jupiter India 210.15 -0.83 (-0.39%)
L&G Global Technology Index Trust 129.5 +1.2 (+0.94%)
L&G US Index Trust 981.1 +6 (+0.62%)
Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity 266.4951 +1 (+0.38%)

Most bought shares

Name Buy Price Change
ANGLO AMERICAN 1917 -421.9 (-18.97%)
ROLLS-ROYCE HL 298 +3.1 (+1.08%)
BR.AMER.TOB. 2600 +10 (+0.43%)
LLOYDS GRP. 46.97 +0.62 (+1.36%)
BP 475.05 +8 (+1.74%)
SCOTTISH MORT 798 +8 (+1.09%)
AVIVA 450 +1.2 (+0.28%)
LEGAL&GEN. 245 +1.2 (+0.5%)
BARCLAYS 145 +3.14 (+2.24%)