Defaqto reveals top 10 recommended Single Asset investment solutions for Q1 2026  

Defaqto, one of the UK’s most trusted sources of financial product and market intelligence, has identified the top 10 most recommended single asset funds by new business value via their Engage adviser research software by value for Q1 2026.

The size and breadth of single asset investment solutions is vast, and yet the data still clearly shows Advisers have a preference for passives and index trackers, possibly due to lower costs and considerations around Consumer Duty. 

Having achieved the top spot for 2025, the Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equity fund continues to lead the way through the first quarter of 2026, but its percentage share of new business by value within the top 10, has fallen to 19.72% having achieved a high of 25.4% for 2025. 

Overall, there are a total of four new entries within the top 10. The highest of the new entrants is the Fidelity Index World which landed in fifth place having risen eight places. Next up and the second of the biggest climber in places gained is the Artemis Global Income fund which rose forty-eight places to drop in, in sixth place.

The third of the new entrants and the biggest riser was the Royal London Global Equity Income fund which climbed a staggering 163 places to enter in eighth place. The final new entrant is the L&G Global Technology Index which moved up two places to sit in nineth place.

Of those funds that maintained a top 10 position from the end of 2025, the most notable mover was the Orbis OEIC Global Equity fund which has climbed seven places to second place. Third and fourth places are occupied by funds that have risen three and four places respectively, with L&G Global 100 Index sitting in third and Royal London Short Term Money Market residing in fourth. 

Retaining its position within the top 10, the HSBC American Index slipped five places down to seventh, whilst the Dimensional World Equity held onto its position of tenth place.  

The data is drawn from Defaqto Engage; the adviser research software used by more than 30% of advisers in the UK to help their clients make smarter financial decisions. It depicts the most popular single asset solutions chosen through the research software, by a representational cross section of the UK financial adviser market. 

Andy Parsons, Insight Manager (Funds & DFM) at Defaqto, commented: 

“As the top 10 clearly indicates, Advisers have still had a preference for the US either directly or indirectly as we have progressed through 2026 so far, with the approach evenly split between traditional active management and passive/tracker solutions.

Defaqto Engage consolidates all the information advisers need into one software solution, providing a comprehensive holistic service. It gives advisers the power to model a client’s financial objectives, capture risk profiles, conduct investment research, and oversee client reviews – all from one place.

Powered by Defaqto’s data, including more than 18,000 funds, 2,800 DFM MPS portfolios, platforms and products, Defaqto Engage is recognised by advisers as a trusted source of financial product and market intelligence. Recommendations of £57bn annually go through the system.

More information about Defaqto Engage can be found at www.defaqto.com/solutions/engage