Stocks & Shares ISA – 5 Top Tracker Funds For 2021
If you are looking for inspiration for investing we have put together 5 low cost investment tracker funds you might want to consider for your 2021 ISA.
We outline some of the features to look out for with an index tracker fund and some of the factors to consider when selecting an investment platform for the fund you invest in for your ISA.
All of the funds featured below can be put in an ISA, junior ISA, lifetime ISA or Self Invested Pension (SIPP) or as a direct investment from £25 per month.
1. Fidelity Index World Fund
Invest From
£25 per month
Fund
Fidelity Index World Tracker Fund
ISA, SIPP & Direct Investment
Our view: Super low annual management charge of 0.1%. Great way to spread risk across a wide range of shares. This OEIC Fund aims to track the performance of the MSCI World (Net Total Return) Index (before fees and expenses are applied) thereby seeking to increase the value of your investment over a period of 5 years or more. The performance of the Fund is unlikely to track the performance of the index precisely. The fund invests in companies including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Tesla. Capital at Risk. Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invested. This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment you should speak to an authorised financial adviser. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future.
You can buy this fund via: Fidelity Platform »
Fidelity Index World Tracker Fund
2. iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF
There are no tables for this criteria
3. Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF
Invest From
£25 per month or £100 single
Fund
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF
ISA, SIPP & Direct Investment
Our view: This FTSE 250 tracker fund is one of the cheapest on the market with a 0.10% pa annual charge. The Fund Tracks the FTSE 250 index of medium-sized companies, providing a greater domestic focus than the FTSE 100. Income generated is reinvested. Important information: Please remember the value of your investment and any income from it may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you invest.
Available via: Fidelity Investment Platform »
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF
4. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Invest From
£25 per month or £100 single
Fund
Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF
ISA, SIPP & Direct Investment
Our view:Provides exposure to the S&P 500 index, which includes the largest US companies by market capitalisation. The product ranks as among the cheapest anywhere and is well placed to track its index accurately. This is an ‘Accumulation’ product, meaning any income generated is reinvested. Important information: Please remember the value of your investment and any income from it may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you invest.
Available via: Fidelity Investment Platform »
Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF
5. Legal & General Global Technology Index
Invest From
£25 per month or £100 single
Fund
L&G Global Technology Index Trust Fund
Ongoing Charge
0.70%
ISA, SIPP & Direct Investment
Our view: A low cost way of investing in shares of global companies engaged in information technology activities, as represented by the FTSE World Technology Index. The fund has significant holdings in Apple and Microsoft. You can invest up to £20,000 this tax year in an ISA, with a low minimum of £100 lump sum or £25 per month, and you can manage your account easily online. Income generated is reinvested. Important information: Please remember the value of your investment and any income from it may fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you invest.
Available via: Fidelity Investment Platform »
L&G Global Technology Index Trust Fund
What is a tracker fund?
A tracker fund or exchange traded funds (ETFs) are investments that look to mirror the performance of a particular market index.
They are passive investments and aim to replicate the movement of an index and deliver returns that are closely matched to the index being tracked.
With a fund or ETF that tracks the FTSE 100 your returns will reflect the performance of the top 100 UK firms by capitalisation that make up the index.
“If you are not sure what fund to go for when considering your 2021 ISA, a index tracker fund offers an attractive option taking the investment decisions out of your hands”.
How does a index tracker fund work?
Tracker funds and ETFs work by:
- Full Replication – physically buying shares of the index e.g. The FTSE 100 – the 100 companies that make up the FTSE 100 or by
- Partial replication – using more complex investments to replicate the movement in the index.
What is tracking error in a index tracker fund?
Each of the funds listed above employ a “passive” investment strategy designed to replicate the performance of an index.
Some tracker funds attempt to fully replicate the index by holding all of the constituent shares in approximately the same proportion as their weighting in the index. Other tracker funds use an index sampling process holding a representative sample of shares which approximate to the full index mirroring key risk factors and other characteristics.
Tracking error measures the volatility of the return difference between the fund and the index. It is calculated as the standard deviation of the tracking difference between the tracker fund and the index (gross of fees for the trailing 36-month period, or since the fund’s inception if it does not have 36 months of performance history).
A low tracking error means a index tracker fund is following closely the performance of the Index. The tracking error gives you a measure of how closely the fund is replicating the index.
With index tracker finds which are passively managed generally the lower the tracking error the better.
What is the cheapest way to invest in a index tracker fund?
One of the attractions of investing in tracker funds is that because they are passive investments where no fund manager is involved the annual ongoing costs are much lower than managed fund equivalents.
Over time the impact of annual charges can have a significant impact on your investment value, so tracker funds are a great way to get low cost exposure to the stock market.
A way to compare funds based on cost is to contrast the OCF (Ongoing Charge Figure) which represents the total annual cost of running the fund including administrative costs.
What is the best investment platform to use for a index tracker fund?
Today’s investor in 2021 has a lot of options to choose from.
One of the key considerations is cost. However picking the “cheapest” is not as simple as it sounds, as each platform has its own costing model which often makes it difficult to compare like for like.
Below we have outlined what can expect to pay in charges for 4 of the UK’s largest most popular investment platforms based on investing in a low cost tracker fund (iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF).
| Investment Platform | Platform Fees | iShares Core FTSE 100 Ongoing Fund Charge | Annual Charge on £10,000 | Annual Charge on £40,000 | Annual Charge on £100,000 | Annual Charge on £250,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Bell | 0.25% on first £250K | 0.07% | £32 | £128 | £320 | £800 |
| Interactive Investor | £9.99 pm flat fee | 0.07% | £127 | £155 | £190 | £295 |
| Fidelity | 0.35% from £7,500 to £249,999, reducing to 0.2% from £250,000 to £1m | 0.07% | £42 | £164 | £420 | £675 |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | 0.45% up to £249,999, reducing to 0.25% from £250,000 to £1m | 0.07% | £52 | £208 | £520 | £1300 |
As you can see the right platform for you will depend on how much you are investing.
Other considerations include:
- How easy is the platform to use and what tools and research is on offer
- What fund discounts are there? different platforms have negotiated different discounts on funds
- Customer reviews – useful in understanding strengths and weaknesses of platform providers
- Level of customer service provided
Undecided on your options?
When it comes to making investment decisions using the services of a qualified independent investment adviser may be worth considering.
Most IFAs will offer a free no obligation initial discussion. A good adviser based on what you are looking to achieve will put together a plan for your situation.
For more information on getting independent financial advice click here.
Important Risk Information:
This website contains information only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation in any way whatsoever. The value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.
Different types of investment carry different levels of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment and should read the product literature. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.
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