October's 10 most-bought funds

The popularity of tracker funds appeared to fade in October as active funds once again made up the majority of Interactive Investor's top 10 most-bought funds.

Six of the top 10 in October were actively managed funds. This follows a record-breaking month in September, when five of the top 10 most-bought funds were index trackers, or passive funds.

CF Woodford Equity Income, run by celebrity fund manager Neil Woodford, maintained its place as Interactive Investor's most-bought fund for the 16th consecutive month.

The UK equity income fund has been the most popular fund on Interactive Investor since its launch in June 2014, helping its assets under management to swell from £1.6 billion at launch to over £7.6 billion today and making it the largest fund in its sector.

UK and Global stars

Old favourite Fundsmith Equity climbed six places to retake its place as second most-bought fund in October - having maintained a podium position for most of the year - while Axa Framlington Biotech climbed one place to third. Both are Rated Funds on Interactive Investor's sister website Money Observer.

After a troubled summer in global markets, all three funds have rebounded impressively. Axa Framlington Biotech has achieved the most impressive turnaround, gaining nearly 10% in the month to 31 October compared to a loss of 15% in September.

Fellow Money Observer Rated Fund Neptune UK Mid Cap re-entered the top 10 after a one-month absence as the fifth most-bought fund. Managed by the highly rated Mark Martin, Neptune UK Mid Cap is the best-performing fund in the UK all companies sector over five years with a return of 143%.

Over one and three years the fund has maintained first-quartile returns; however in the shorter term it has struggled, shedding 0.7% in October compared to an average gain of more than 4% from the sector.

Artemis Global Equity Income - another Money Observer Rated Fund - climbed three places to take the sixth place last month. The fund is a top performer over one, three and five years, but has struggled over the past six months due in part to a comparatively high weighting to Asia and emerging markets.

Making its debut in the top 10 at eighth place is Lindsell Train Global Equity. Managed by star manager Nick Train (who also manages Money Observer Rated Fund Finsbury Growth & Income) alongside Michael Lindsell, the fund is the best performer in the global sector over one year, with a return of 25.4% compared to an average of just 6% from its peers.

MFM Slater Growth also made its first appearance in the table for the first time since December 2014, taking 10th place. Run by boutique asset manager Slater Investments, MFM Slater Growth has put in a consistent top-quartile performance since its launch 2005, ranking as the second best-performing fund over 10 years with a return of 334%.

This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.