How to invest in the UK | The best indices for UK ETFs | justETF (2024)

How to invest in the UK using ETFs

How do I invest in UK stocks?

The easiest way to invest in the whole UK stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.

On the UK stock market you'll find 4 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Besides these indices 6 alternative indices on small and mid caps as well as equity strategies can be considered.

Alternatively, you may invest in indices on Europe.

0.04% p.a. - 0.33% p.a.

annual total expense ratio (TER) of UK ETFs

on the UK stock market, which are tracked by ETFs

on the UK stock market

How to invest in the UK | The best indices for UK ETFs | justETF (1)

Performance of UK stocks (FTSE 100)

1 month: 7.24%

1 year: 12.87%

3 years: 34.33%

5 years: 38.55%

Indices in comparison

The best indices for ETFs on UK

For an investment in the UK stock market, there are 4 indices available which are tracked by 17 ETFs. On the FTSE 100 index there are 11 ETFs. On the FTSE All-Share index there are 2 ETFs. On the MSCI UK index there are 3 ETFs. On the Morningstar UK index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0.04% p.a. and 0.33% p.a..

  • Indices
  • ETFs
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description

FTSE 100

United Kingdom 11 ETFs 100
The FTSE 100 index tracks the 100 largest UK stocks.
Index factsheet

FTSE All-Share

United Kingdom 2 ETFs 575
(31/08/2023)
The FTSE All-Share index tracks all UK-based companies admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
Index factsheet

MSCI UK

United Kingdom 3 ETFs 83
(30/04/2024)
The MSCI UK index tracks large and mid cap equity market performance of United Kingdom.
Index factsheet

Morningstar UK

United Kingdom 1 ETF 275
(31/08/2023)
The Morningstar UK index tracks mid and large cap equities of the United Kingdom.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
Fund size
in m GBP
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (Dist)IE0005042456 12,345 0.07% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00B810Q511 4,030 0.09% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Acc)IE00B53HP851 2,281 0.07% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-accLU0950670850 1,248 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXYP42 1,216 0.09% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B42TW061 572 0.07% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETFIE00B7452L46 433 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Optimized sampling
Lyxor Core UK Equity All Cap (DR) UCITS ETF - DistLU1781541096 411 0.04% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi FTSE 100 UCITS ETF AccLU1650492173 286 0.14% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Unfunded swap
iShares MSCI UK UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B539F030 104 0.33% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
Amundi FTSE 100 UCITS ETF DistLU1650492256 90 0.14% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Unfunded swap
SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETFIE00BD5FCF91 74 0.20% p.a. Distributing Ireland Optimized sampling
UBS ETF (LU) FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) A-disLU0136242590 68 0.20% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF Income 1DLU0292097234 67 0.09% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF 1CLU0838780707 50 0.09% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-disLU0937836467 40 0.20% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Invesco FTSE 100 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWT88 21 0.09% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
  • Cumulative
  • Calendar year
Index 1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
Morningstar UK 2.06% 7.24% 13.73% 6.91% 24.41%
FTSE All-Share 2.40% 7.06% 14.00% 7.18% 23.18%
MSCI UK 2.20% 7.73% 13.30% 7.35% 33.78%
FTSE 100 2.57% 7.65% 13.24% 7.39% 30.27%
Index 2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
FTSE All-Share 6.01% 7.63% 0.19% 18.04% -10.01%
Morningstar UK 6.05% 7.45% 1.15% 18.35% -11.39%
MSCI UK 6.73% 7.38% 6.90% 19.29% -13.41%
FTSE 100 6.79% 7.71% 4.64% 18.29% -11.47%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30/04/2024; Calculations in GBP based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

Alternative investment opportunities

UK indices on small and mid caps or equity strategies

Alternatively, you may invest in indices on small and mid caps or equity strategies. In total, you can invest in 6 alternative UK indices, which are tracked by 11 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on alternative UK indices is between 0.05% p.a. and 0.58% p.a..

  • Indices
  • ETFs
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description
FTSE 250 United Kingdom
Mid Cap
6 ETFs 250
The FTSE 250 index tracks 250 of the largest mid-cap companies based in the United Kingdom that are not included in the FTSE 100.
Index factsheet
FTSE RAFI UK 100 United Kingdom
Fundamental/Quality
1 ETF 100
The FTSE RAFI UK 100 index tracks 100 UK stocks. The FTSE RAFI Index Series selects and weights index constituents using four fundamental factors, rather than market capitalisation. The factors are dividends, cash flows, sales and book value.
Index factsheet
FTSE UK Dividend+ United Kingdom
Dividend
1 ETF 50
(31/08/2023)
The FTSE UK Dividend+ index tracks the highest yielding UK stocks.
Index factsheet
MSCI UK Small Cap United Kingdom
Small Cap
1 ETF 232
(30/04/2024)
The MSCI UK Small Cap index tracks UK small cap stocks.
Index factsheet
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats United Kingdom
Dividend
1 ETF 36
(31/08/2023)
The S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats index tracks UK companies whose dividends have risen in the last 7 consecutive years.
Index factsheet
Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap United Kingdom
Social/Environmental
1 ETF 106
(30/07/2021)
The Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap index tracks the UK equity market and measures the performance of large and mid-cap publicly traded companies which satisfy minimum criteria relating to liquidity and size and excludes companies: (a) engaged in pure coal mining; (b) involved in the production of controversial weapons, such as cluster weapons, anti-personnel mines or biological and chemical weapons; or (c) that, for a continuous period of three years, have been classified as being in breach of at least one of the UN Global Compact principles.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
Fund size
in m GBP
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00BKX55Q28 1,729 0.10% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
iShares UK Dividend UCITS ETFIE00B0M63060 871 0.40% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
iShares FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B00FV128 817 0.40% p.a. Distributing Ireland Optimized sampling
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXVQ44 410 0.10% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
iShares MSCI UK Small Cap UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B3VWLG82 178 0.58% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Optimized sampling
SPDR S&P UK Dividend Aristocrats UCITS ETF (Dist)IE00B6S2Z822 109 0.30% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
L&G UK Equity UCITS ETFIE00BFXR5R48 107 0.05% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
HSBC FTSE 250 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B64PTF05 51 0.35% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Xtrackers FTSE 250 UCITS ETF 1DLU0292097317 32 0.15% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
Invesco FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWV01 28 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
Invesco FTSE RAFI UK 100 UCITS ETFIE00B23LNN70 11 0.39% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
  • Cumulative
  • Calendar year
Index 1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats -0.20% 1.34% 14.22% 1.05% 5.56%
FTSE UK Dividend+ 1.27% 5.40% 15.43% 5.02% 18.23%
MSCI UK Small Cap -0.95% 3.43% 18.59% 5.06% -13.14%
FTSE 250 0.36% 4.12% 19.11% 6.04% -3.60%
Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap 2.75% 7.79% 13.26% 7.20% 30.20%
FTSE RAFI UK 100 3.97% 9.28% 13.85% 8.84% 39.36%
Index 2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats 0.84% 6.21% -8.49% 14.30% -16.70%
MSCI UK Small Cap 1.43% 9.15% -22.82% 13.91% -5.45%
FTSE 250 2.43% 7.90% -17.45% 16.64% -4.63%
FTSE UK Dividend+ 3.74% 6.21% -1.88% 23.17% -17.03%
Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap 6.71% 6.85% 5.12% 18.28% -12.09%
FTSE RAFI UK 100 7.57% 8.17% 10.15% 22.92% -16.74%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30/04/2024; Calculations in GBP based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

Europe indices with a large UK share

Besides UK ETFs you may invest in ETFs on the European stock market. In total, you can invest in 3 indices on Europe, which are tracked by 15 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0.07% p.a. and 0.35% p.a..

  • Indices
  • ETFs
Index Investment focus Number of ETFs Number of constituents Short description
MSCI Europe Europe
UK: 24.00%
(30/11/2022)
11 ETFs 420
(30/04/2024)
The MSCI Europe index tracks the leading stocks from 15 European industrial countries.
Index factsheet
STOXX® Europe 50 Europe
UK: 27.70%
(30/11/2022)
1 ETF 50
The STOXX® Europe 50 index tracks 50 European large cap stocks.
Index factsheet
STOXX® Europe 600 Europe
UK: 24.50%
(30/11/2022)
3 ETFs 600
The STOXX® Europe 600 index tracks the 600 largest European companies.
Index factsheet
ETF
ISIN
Fund size
in m GBP
TER
in %
Use of profits Fund domicile Replication method
iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 6,772 0.12% p.a. Distributing Ireland Optimized sampling
Amundi Stoxx Europe 600 UCITS ETF AccLU0908500753 6,547 0.07% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 6,483 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Optimized sampling
Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1CLU0274209237 3,569 0.12% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1CLU0328475792 2,155 0.20% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi Index ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DR (C)LU1437015735 1,721 0.15% p.a. Accumulating Luxembourg Full replication
Amundi MSCI Europe II UCITS ETF AccFR0010261198 686 0.25% p.a. Accumulating France Full replication
iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 561 0.35% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Invesco STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWW18 447 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
Amundi Index MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DR EUR (D)LU1737652310 308 0.15% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0446734104 245 0.10% p.a. Distributing Luxembourg Full replication
SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00BKWQ0Q14 223 0.25% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 158 0.10% p.a. Distributing Ireland Full replication
Invesco MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00B60SWY32 36 0.19% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Unfunded swap
HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE000ZQOIPB1 8 0.10% p.a. Accumulating Ireland Full replication
  • Cumulative
  • Calendar year
Index 1 month
in %
3 months
in %
6 months
in %
1 year
in %
3 years
in %
MSCI Europe -0.99% 4.90% 16.01% 8.02% 25.54%
STOXX® Europe 600 -1.23% 4.89% 16.25% 8.06% 23.41%
STOXX® Europe 50 -0.41% 5.42% 14.87% 8.38% 38.26%
Index 2024
in %
2023
in %
2022
in %
2021
in %
2020
in %
STOXX® Europe 600 4.82% 13.70% -5.44% 17.08% 3.78%
MSCI Europe 5.03% 13.80% -4.70% 17.87% 2.39%
STOXX® Europe 50 7.05% 12.72% 3.11% 18.26% -0.99%

Source: justETF.com; As of 30/04/2024; Calculations in GBP based on the largest ETF of the respective index.

How to invest in the UK | The best indices for UK ETFs | justETF (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to invest in index funds UK? ›

How to set up an index fund UK portfolio
  1. Determine the index you aim to clone.
  2. Calculate the percentage each stock or market sector occupies out of the whole fund and purchase the exact amounts.
  3. Consider buying stocks with the largest market share to minimise rebalancing.
  4. Rebalance the value of your portfolio every day.
Apr 22, 2024

What is the best ETF to invest in the UK? ›

Best UK ETFs to watch
  • Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF.
  • iShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector ETF.
  • WisdomTree Brent Crude Oil ETF.
  • iShares UK Dividend UCITS ETF.
  • Invesco Physical Gold ETC.

How do I invest in ETFs in the UK? ›

To trade ETFs or one of our other available investment funds, follow these steps:
  1. Create an account or log in.
  2. Decide whether you want to trade spread bets or CFDs.
  3. Pick an ETF or fund from within our trading platform.
  4. Select 'buy' to go long, or 'sell' to go short. ...
  5. Open and monitor your position.

What is the UK equivalent of the S&P 500? ›

FTSE 100

What is the difference between UK ETF and index fund? ›

Index funds only value and trade once a day, usually at midday. Unlike ETFs, investors won't know exactly what price they're buying or selling for until after the trade's taken place. ETFs on the other hand are funds traded on a stock exchange, like shares, and are a type of Exchange Traded Product.

What is the difference between the S&P 500 and the FTSE 100? ›

Over the past five years, the FTSE 100's annualised simple return is an inflation-lagging 2.2 per cent, or a full 11 percentage points below the S&P 500's yearly average. But factor in dividends, and the Footsie's annual total return triples.

What is the UK equivalent of VOO ETF? ›

What is the UCITS equivalent of Vanguard S&P 500 (VOO & VFIAX)? The European and UK UCITS Equivalent to VOO ETF or VFIAX Mutual Fund is Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF, with accumulating share classes in GBP and EUR, and distributing share classes in GBP, EUR and CHF.

What is the UK equivalent of QQQ? ›

The CNDX ETF is the QQQ equivalent in the UK. Like CIND, it has an ongoing management charge of 0.33%. Tap the button below to buy CNDX - iShares NASDAQ 100 ETF. Capital at risk.

How to invest in Vanguard ETF UK? ›

You can buy our ETFs by clicking the buy button on any of the fund details pages, or selecting the relevant funds from the various purchase points around the service. There's no brokerage fee for bulk deals – this is where we aggregate deals and bulk-trade at set dealing points during the day.

What is the cheapest way to buy ETFs in the UK? ›

If you are looking for a cheap way to buy ETFs, the cheapest way to buy ETFs in the UK is to purchase them online from commission-free fractional ETF providers, such as InvestEngine, eToro, and Freetrade. Scroll down for a detailed comparison of several of the best ETF platforms in the UK.

Do you pay tax on ETF UK? ›

Taxes on ETFs and mutual funds are the same as any other investment. You may pay tax when selling your shares for a profit. This tax is called capital gains. In each tax year, you can earn up to £12,300 (2021/22) in profit before having to pay capital gains tax.

How do I buy Nasdaq ETF in UK? ›

You can open a spread betting or CFD trading account to trade the US Tech100 price directly, or NASDAQ-listed stocks and NASDAQ-linked ETFs. You can also trade the US Tech 100 via options, on the cash (spot) price or via futures.

Can I buy US-listed ETFs in the UK? ›

You can buy shares in US-listed companies from the UK, but due to local and European regulations, you're not allowed to purchase US-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the UK.

What is the best S&P 500 index fund in the UK? ›

The best S&P 500 ETF by 1-year fund return as of 31/05/2024
1Amundi S&P 500 II UCITS ETF USD Dist+24.56%
2Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF+24.56%
3Invesco S&P 500 UCITS ETF Dist+24.56%

What is the difference between FTSE USA and S&P 500? ›

The 100-plus names unique to the FTSE USA Index are smaller positions that fill out the percentage of market-cap requirement and often have a minor effect on the index's performance. The S&P 500 is a special case. Despite being count-based, the index leaves some discretion to a committee which selects eligible stocks.

What is the best way to invest in index funds? ›

You can buy index funds through brokerages such as Charles Schwab, Fidelity or Vanguard. Financial advisors who hold client accounts at those companies or other brokerages can also buy index funds for you.

What is the highest paying index fund? ›

Eight top dividend index funds to buy
FundDividend YieldExpense Ratio
Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (NYSEMKT:SPHD)4.31%0.30%
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEMKT:HDV)3.39%0.08%
ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NYSEMKT:NOBL)2.04%0.35%
Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT:SCHD)3.38%0.06%
5 more rows
Apr 9, 2024

Is it better to just invest in index funds? ›

Index funds are popular with investors because they promise ownership of a wide variety of stocks, greater diversification and lower risk – usually all at a low cost. That's why many investors, especially beginners, find index funds to be superior investments to individual stocks.

What is the difference between an ETF and an index fund? ›

Both are used in passive investing strategies. The biggest difference between them is that ETFs trade intraday at various prices during exchange hours and index mutual funds can be bought or sold only after the market closes each day, at a fund's net asset value. CNBC.

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