The top stocks and funds to buy according to DIY investors

Interest in money market funds has heightened as investors flock to cash-like options within their stocks and shares ISA in a bid to reduce risk amid market volatility, new data on the most purchased funds, stocks and trusts reveals

Trader looking at top funds and stocks
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Every month, we look at the top funds, stocks and investment trusts among DIY investors - and for the month of November, money market funds continue to grow in popularity. This comes as no surprise as much of November was fuelled with anxiety and fears over market stability ahead of the Autumn Budget.

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

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

November’s top stocks for DIY investors

November was filled with speculation over the possibility of an AI bubble, but it didn't stop investors buying tech stocks with Nvidia, Tesla and Meta Platforms making the top 10.

“Strategy Inc is an interesting new addition to the top 10 most bought stocks list,” Victoria Scholar, head of investment at II, said.

“The blockchain tech company and crypto miner holds ~2.8% of the total supply of Ether. Its shares have plunged over recent weeks, caught up in the broader crypto sell-off. Shares are down ~35% over the last month and ~50% over the past six months. Nonetheless, opportunistic ii investors have seized on this chance to scoop up shares at a discounted price.”

Blue chips have also remained in favour and Legal & General continues to be popular particularly thanks to its attractive dividend yield.

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

Swipe to scroll horizontally
The most-bought stocks in November

Equity

1

Nvidia

2

Rolls Royce

3

Tesla

4

Meta platforms

5

Taylor Wimpey

6

Strategy

7

Legal & General

8

Lloyds Banking

9

Aviva

10

Ceres Power Holdings

Source: Interactive Investor

November’s top funds and ETFs for DIY investors

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, there was a lower risk appetite, seeing investors move towards money market funds with Fidelity Cash and abrdn Sterling Money Market climbing up the rankings.

“The newcomers mean that money market funds comprised more than half the table of most-bought active funds in November, with Royal London Short Term Money Market continuing to top the table,” said Kyle Caldwell, funds and investment education editor at interactive investor.

“Such funds offer cash-like returns, which (although not guaranteed) are usually around the level of UK interest rates. This fund type owns a diversified basket of safe bonds that are due to mature soon, normally within just a couple of months, meaning that investors can earn an income on their cash with minimal risk.”

These were the most-bought active and passive funds on II during November.

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Interactive Investor's most-bought active and passive funds in November

Active Open-Ended Fund

Index Fund or ETF

1

Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund | Acc

iShares Physical Gold

2

Artemis Global Income | Acc

Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equity

3

Royal London Short-Term Money Market Fund | Dis

Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF | Acc

4

L&G Cash Trust

Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF | Dis

5

Vanguard Sterling Short-Term Money Market Fund

L&G Global Technology Index

6

Ranmore Global Equity Institutional

Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index

7

Jupiter Gold & Silver

HSBC FTSE All World Index

8

Artemis SmartGARP European Equity Fund

Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equity

9

Fidelity Cash Fund

iShares Physical Silver ETC

10

abrdn Sterling Money Market Fund

Vanguard LifeStrategy 60% Equity


Source: Interactive Investor

November’s top investment trusts for DIY investors

For investment trusts, 3i Group topped the list for the first time, pushing previous frontrunner Scottish Mortgage down to third place.

“Investors are also on the lookout for opportunities, particularly with investment trusts. There were three new entrants into the table in November: 3i Group, HICL,” Caldwell said.

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

Swipe to scroll horizontally
The most-bought investment trusts in November

Rank

Investment Trust

1

3i Group

2

Greencoat UK Wind

3

Scottish Mortgage

4

NextEnergy Solar

5

Polar Capital Technology

6

City of London

7

HICL Infrastructure

8

Temple Bar

9

The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG)

10

Henderson Far East Income

Source: Interactive Investor

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

Kalpana Fitzpatrick

Kalpana is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience in financial journalism. She is also the author of Invest Now: The Simple Guide to Boosting Your Finances (Heligo) and children's money book Get to Know Money (DK Books).

Her work includes writing for a number of media outlets, from national papers, magazines to books.

She has written for national papers and well-known women’s lifestyle and luxury titles. She was finance editor for Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima.

She started her career at the Financial Times group, covering pensions and investments.

As a money expert, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio – appearances include BBC One’s Morning Live, ITV’s Eat Well, Save Well, Sky News and more. She was also the resident money expert for the BBC Money 101 podcast .

Kalpana writes a monthly money column for Ideal Home and a weekly one for Woman magazine, alongside a monthly 'Ask Kalpana' column for Woman magazine.

Kalpana also often speaks at events. She is passionate about helping people be better with their money; her particular passion is to educate more people about getting started with investing the right way and promoting financial education.