Best-selling funds, Investment Trusts and ETFs of August 2026

What happened in the markets in August 2026?

August's markets steady as Nvidia calms nerves, but bond yields loom.

August’s best-selling funds, Investment Trusts and ETFs have been steady, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Nvidia came out strong as the stock markets were supported by bumper earnings. They are forecasting sales growth of 70% for the next fiscal year.

MSCI World index rose 2.6% over August, with energy stocks leading the way as oil prices increased from $75 in early September to $90 by end of the month. This rise benefited the materials sector - precious and industrial metals saw gains.

Inflation has been above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% for 62 consecutive months, manifesting in rising bond yields. It has impacted the utilities and real estate sector. The US administration have intervened by doubling its buyback operations to help improve liquidity but proved ineffective. This could mean a volatile few months in financial markets.

What were investors buying in August?

Across AJ Bell, Fidelity, Hargreaves Lansdown and interactive investor, these were the most popular funds, Investment Trusts and ETFs purchased.

Popular funds:

• Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index
• Fidelity Index World
• HSBC FTSE All World Index C Acc

Investment Trusts:

• Scottish Mortgage
• Polar Capital Technology
• City of London
• J.P.Morgan Global Growth & Income Ord

ETFs:

• Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF USD (VWRP)
• Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF Dist (VWRL)
• Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Acc (VUAG)
• Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD(GBP) (VUSA)
• iShares Physical Gold ETC (SGLN)
• iShares Physical Silber ETC (SSLN)
• VanEck Semiconductor UCITS ETF (SMGB)

What does this mean for investors?

Rising oil prices and tensions in the Middle East have been uneasy for the markets in August and although Nvidia’s strength this much kept AI trade alive, investors should be weary of rising bond yields.

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This monthly analysis examines the most popular investments purchased across the UK's leading platforms, providing unique insights into retail investor behaviour and market sentiment.