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. In the month of December, UK stocks have had a resurgence, money market funds remain popular while silver continues to shine, according to investment platform Interactive Investor (II). This comes as no surprise as the FTSE 100 ended 2025 at record highs but concerns remain about tax hikes and economic growth.

Money market funds mean investors can dial down on risk and enjoy income with minimum exposure to volatility.

Meanwhile, silver outperformed gold in 2025, with the price hitting record highs.

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When it comes to trusts, DIY investors returned to the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, which retook its top spot from 3i Group after sliding down the scale in November, Interactive Investor, which has revealed its most-bought equities, funds, and investment trusts in December, said.

As for stocks, fears about high valuations of technology stocks in the US appeared to influence DIY investor activity, with Meta and Tesla dropping out of the top 10 most-purchased and Nvidia losing the top spot.

In contrast, British stalwarts such as Diageo, BP and Marks and Spencer have rejoined. This suggests that investors are currently seeking stable dividend-paying stocks rather than focusing on capital growth.

From beginner investors to seasoned stock pickers, here’s what investors purchased in the month of December, according to the latest data released by Interactive Investor.

December's top stocks for DIY investors

December was filled with the fall-out of tax hikes announced in the Autumn Budget and continued concerns over the possibility of an AI bubble.

This has led to some investors ditching technology stocks such as Meta and Tesla, although Nvidia remains in the top 10.

Instead, II investors have been seeking value and more dividend-focused UK stocks.

“UK dividend payers such as Legal & General and Taylor Wimpey continued to be popular stocks among II investors in December alongside FTSE 100 heavyweights like Rolls Royce and Lloyds which both enjoyed very strong share price gains last year,” says Victoria Scholar, head of investment at interactive investor.

Another UK stock, drinks giant Diageo, was a new addition to the list last month.

Scholar suggested investors are excited by the appointment of former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis as chief executive from the start of 2026 after Debra Crew stepped down in July.

She added: “After a profit warning and a weak share price performance, investors are hoping that he is the man to spearhead a much-needed turnaround at the company behind Guiness, Tanqueray and Johnnie Walker.”

Marks and Spencer became another new addition to the list in December, with investors seeing a value opportunity after a cyber-attack punished its profits and share price last year.

It was a different story for US stocks though.

Scholar said: “While US tech continues to be popular among II customers with Nvidia maintaining its position on the list of most bought stocks in December, investors are clearly being more discerning given the well documented concerns about an AI bubble.

“As a consequence, Meta and Tesla dropped off the list in December while Nvidia lost the top spot, dropping a few places lower. Tesla is dealing with a series of challenges – deliveries fell by more than expected in the fourth quarter and BYD also recently overtook Tesla to become the world’s top EV seller.”

These were the most-bought equities among DIY investors on II’s platform during December:

^{Source: Interactive Investor}

December' top funds and ETFs for DIY investors

Money market funds remain popular among investors, reflecting a continuation of the lower risk appetite from before the Autumn Budget.

But investors are still backing equities, with signs of a shift from the US to relatively cheaper and better value regions such as the UK, Europe and Japan.

Alex Watts, senior Investment Analyst at Interactive Investor, said: “December rounded out a broadly positive year for equities.

“The exceptionalism of the US equity market saw some challenge this year as other developed markets of the UK, Europe and Japan outperformed.”

Watts highlighted that the “still appreciable” positive return of just over 17% in USD terms for the S&P 500 was diminished to around 10% when converted back to sterling for UK investors as the dollar weakened. Meanwhile, UK equities finished the year strongly, putting the total return of the FTSE 100 at just under 26% in 2025.

Watts added: “Fixed income performance continued to be mixed in December as, while UK and US central banks eased in the month – continuing the downward trend in short-term yields – long-dated yields continued to see some upward pressure as investors ponder stickiness of inflation and fiscal challenges.

“The upward pressure on precious metal prices did not abate in December, but continued as gold and silver, and other precious metals, hit new all-time highs."

^{Source: Interactive Investor}

December's top investment trusts for DIY investors

For investment trusts, the ever-popular Scottish Mortgage returned to the top of the list, replacing 3i Group which moved to fourth place.

New entrants include Seraphim Space and BlackRock World Mining.

These were the most-bought investment trusts among DIY investors on II during December.

^{Source: Interactive Investor}

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