The top stocks and funds to buy according to DIY investors

Every month, we look at the top funds, stocks and investment trusts among DIY investors. The investments they pick offer an insight into how the markets are faring, and where individual investors see the best opportunities.

Whether you are a beginner investor or a seasoned stock-picker, knowing where others in your position are looking can be a valuable source of insight and information.

Precious metals grabbed investors’ attention in September, according to analysis of DIY investors’ top picks by Interactive Investor, as a rush to invest in gold saw gold prices rise 12% during the course of the month. This was reflected in DIY investors’ top fund picks being dominated by gold funds and others tracking wider precious metals like silver.

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“As well as geopolitical tensions and concerns over US tariffs leading investors to seek out safe-haven assets, other drivers of both gold and silver include weakness in the US dollar, higher government debts, and fears that inflation will remain sticky,” said Kyle Caldwell, funds and investment education editor at Interactive Investor.

The top stocks list remains dominated by FTSE 100 stalwarts like Rolls Royce (LON:RR.) and Taylor Wimpey (LON:TW.).

“There appeared to be some profit taking in Lloyds however, which dropped off the list after a strong share price performance in September adding to an impressive year-to-date run,” said Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor.

Below, we look at DIY investors’ top stock, fund and investment trust picks for September.

September’s top stocks for DIY investors

These were the most-bought equities among DIY investors on Interactive Investor during September:

^{Source: Interactive Investor.}

“The standout AI winner, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) also retained its spot as one of the most popular stocks on the ii platform in September, although it dropped slightly down the leaderboard from fourth to fifth place,” said Scholar. “The GPU designer’s shares enjoyed another strong month, despite growing concerns about the dizzy heights reached by valuations in the sector.”

Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) also returned to the list, which Scholar attributed to DIY investor optimism around the company’s AI drive and the potential $1 trillion pay package that was agreed with CEO Elon Musk.

And the gold rush was reflected in equities with Wishbone Gold’s (LON:WSBN) entry onto the list. “The AIM-listed precious metals company rallied by over a quarter in September thanks to a very strong period for gold,” said Scholar.

September’s top funds and ETFs for DIY investors

These were the most-bought active and passive funds on Interactive Investor during September:

^{Source: Interactive Investor.}

The gold rush is especially noticeable in the top funds and ETFs list, with iShares Physical Gold ETC (LON:SGLN) jumping from third to first place in the list of top passive funds and Jupiter Gold and Silver Fund jumping from sixth to fourth.

“In September, a key trend was increased demand for precious metals,” said Caldwell. “There were two new entries: Ninety One Global Gold and iShares Physical Silver (LON:SSLN).”

September’s top investment trusts for DIY investors

These were the most-bought investment trusts among DIY investors on Interactive Investor during September:

^{Source: Interactive Investor.}

Technology investment trusts like Polar Capital Technology and Scottish Mortgage (LON:SMT) remain popular choices, but there are signs that DIY investors are looking less exclusively at growth-oriented investment trusts.

“Another trend gaining greater prominence is investors turning to funds that have a value style,” said Caldwell. Murray International (LON:MYI) is a new entrant to the table that reflects this value focus.

“This suggests that some investors are seeking greater diversification in their portfolios, perhaps mindful of the concentration risk attached to the US stock market,” said Caldwell.

Read our explainers on investment funds and the best investment trusts for beginners for more information and inspiration for your portfolio.