Top global equity funds of 2025
The following were some of the best performing funds in 2025, attracting some of the largest inflows on the market. We have only considered funds with assets over £10 billion given the need for liquidity and long-term security with this type of asset class.
Vanguard FTSE Developed World ex-UK Equity Index
The Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF tracks the FTSE Developed World ex-UK Index, providing UK investors with broad exposure to developed market equities outside their home country. The fund holds stocks from companies in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, with the United States typically representing the largest allocation.
The ex-UK approach is particularly popular with British investors who often already have substantial UK exposure through their domestic investments or pensions. This preference stems from multiple factors: they may feel comfortable investing in companies they encounter in day-to-day life, such as high street retailers or utility providers, but lack the expertise, confidence, or familiarity needed to evaluate foreign markets and companies.
Additionally, currency risk, different regulatory environments and the complexity of researching overseas businesses can make international investing feel daunting.
By adopting an ex-UK global fund, these investors can enjoy international diversification without duplicating their existing UK holdings, reducing home bias. With Vanguard’s characteristically low fees, this fund offers a cost-effective way to gain international equity exposure without the higher charges associated with active management.
The fund grew from £18 billion to £21 billion, with about £500 million from new investors and £2.5 billion from market gains.
Fidelity Index World
The Fidelity Index World Fund remains a common choice for capturing global equity returns due to its low cost passive strategy. By tracking the MSCI World Index, the fund provides efficient exposure to large and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed markets, covering approximately 85% of each country’s free float-adjusted market capitalisation.
In 2025, the fund delivered a solid total return of 13%, closely mirroring its benchmark’s 12.8% gain. It charges an industry-leading 0.12%, which helps minimise the tracking drag often seen in more expensive funds.
The fund aims to hold almost all 1,350+ index constituents in their exact proportions. Due to rapid growth in the tech sector, the portfolio is now heavily weighted toward the United States and technology with mega-cap leaders like Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft at the helm.
The substantial inflows seen throughout 2025 demonstrate a clear market shift. Investors are increasingly opting for these predictable, low-cost trackers over active managers who often struggle to justify higher fees with consistent outperformance.
This fund grew from circa £11 billion to circa £14 billion, with roughly equal contributions from new investor money and market performance.
WS Purisima Global Total Return PCG
The WS Purisima Global Total Return fund takes a distinctive approach to global equity investing. Rather than simply buying and holding stocks, this fund employs a total return strategy sometimes uses derivatives and short positions to generate returns in both rising and falling markets.
The fund’s management team focuses on capital preservation alongside growth, making it potentially interesting for investors seeking equity exposure with somewhat lower volatility than traditional equity funds.
The fund’s ability to be more defensive during market downturns while still participating in upside potential has appealed to investors seeking a more sophisticated approach to global equity investing.
This fund grew from £11 billion to £14 billion last year, with around £1.1 billion from new investors the remainder from investment performance.