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

March's investors head for cover as Middle East conflict rattles markets

US and Israeli strikes on Iran sent shockwaves through global markets in March. The MSCI World dropped 6.3% and emerging markets fell 13.3%, whilst the S&P 500 lost 2.2% — saved by a late rally. The FTSE 100 held up, supported by commodities and mining stocks, whilst bond markets swung wildly on inflation fears.

Cash flooded back into best-seller lists as investors sought shelter.

Regional Market Performance

Commodity Market Gold and silver prices fell sharply but remained top ETF picks as geopolitical hedging held firm.

What Investors Were Buying

Popular Funds

• Royal London Short Term Money Market Fund (top seller on ii)

• Fidelity Cash Fund

• Artemis Global Income

• Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index

• Fidelity Index World

Top Investment Trusts

• Scottish Mortgage (top seller on three platforms)

• Greencoat UK Wind (top seller on all four platforms)

• Polar Capital Technology

• BlackRock World Mining Trust

• City of London

Most Popular ETFs

• iShares Physical Silver

• iShares Physical Gold

• Vanguard S&P 500 ETF

• iShares Core FTSE 100 ETF

Key Investment Themes

What This Means for Investors March was a reminder that geopolitics can upend even the most carefully laid investment plans. Investors rotated sharply into cash and defensives, but notably didn't abandon equities altogether — suggesting a wait-and-see approach rather than full-scale panic. The FTSE 100's resilience and renewed interest in commodities and renewables point to a continued shift away from US growth as the dominant portfolio strategy.

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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.