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 4 alternative indices on small and mid caps as well as equity strategies can be considered.
Alternatively, you may invest in indices on Europe.
Performance of UK stocks (FTSE 100)
1 month: 1,15%
1 year: 13,97%
3 years: 29,43%
5 years: 31,19%
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 12 ETFs. On the FTSE 100 index there are 9 ETFs. On the FTSE All-Share index there is 1 ETF. On the MSCI UK index there is 1 ETF. 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..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE 100 | Verenigd Koninkrijk | 9 ETFs | 100 | The FTSE 100 index tracks the 100 largest UK stocks. Index factsheet |
FTSE All-Share | Verenigd Koninkrijk | 1 ETF | 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 | Verenigd Koninkrijk | 1 ETF | 78 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI UK index tracks large and mid cap equity market performance of United Kingdom. Index factsheet |
Morningstar UK | Verenigd Koninkrijk | 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 EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (Dist)IE0005042456 | 13.429 | 0,07% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00B810Q511 | 4.355 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Acc)IE00B53HP851 | 2.671 | 0,07% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXYP42 | 1.669 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B42TW061 | 603 | 0,07% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi UK Equity All Cap UCITS ETF DistLU1781541096 | 537 | 0,04% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETFIE00B7452L46 | 482 | 0,20% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| Amundi FTSE 100 UCITS ETF AccLU1650492173 | 316 | 0,14% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| iShares MSCI UK UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B539F030 | 106 | 0,33% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| UBS ETF (LU) FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) A-disLU0136242590 | 81 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF Income 1DLU0292097234 | 73 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF 1CLU0838780707 | 65 | 0,09% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK | 2,19% | 0,33% | 4,46% | 19,01% | 35,63% | |
| FTSE 100 | 2,21% | 0,53% | 4,64% | 19,47% | 34,16% | |
| FTSE All-Share | 2,03% | 0,55% | 4,57% | 19,75% | 27,56% | |
| Morningstar UK | 2,14% | 0,70% | 5,14% | 19,99% | 29,34% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE All-Share | 15,33% | 9,84% | -5,07% | 26,30% | -14,85% | |
| MSCI UK | 15,41% | 9,44% | 1,13% | 27,49% | -18,19% | |
| Morningstar UK | 15,84% | 9,62% | -4,15% | 26,62% | -16,10% | |
| FTSE 100 | 15,90% | 9,96% | -0,93% | 26,60% | -16,25% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best UK ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | Amundi UK Equity All Cap UCITS ETF Dist | 19,99% |
| 2 | SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETF | 19,75% |
| 3 | Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF Income 1D | 19,67% |
The cheapest UK ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | Amundi UK Equity All Cap UCITS ETF Dist | 0,04% p.a. |
| 2 | HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP | 0,07% p.a. |
| 3 | iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (Dist) | 0,07% p.a. |
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 4 alternative UK indices, which are tracked by 7 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on alternative UK indices is between 0,10% p.a. and 0,58% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSE 250 | Verenigd Koninkrijk Mid Cap | 4 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 UK Dividend+ | Verenigd Koninkrijk Dividend | 1 ETF | 50 (31-08-2023) | The FTSE UK Dividend+ index tracks the highest yielding UK stocks. Index factsheet |
| MSCI UK Small Cap | Verenigd Koninkrijk Small Cap | 1 ETF | 219 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI UK Small Cap index tracks UK small cap stocks. Index factsheet |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | Verenigd Koninkrijk 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 |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00BKX55Q28 | 2.436 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares UK Dividend UCITS ETFIE00B0M63060 | 1.013 | 0,40% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B00FV128 | 932 | 0,40% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXVQ44 | 901 | 0,10% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares MSCI UK Small Cap UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B3VWLG82 | 188 | 0,58% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| SPDR S&P UK Dividend Aristocrats UCITS ETF (Dist)IE00B6S2Z822 | 112 | 0,30% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers FTSE 250 UCITS ETF 1DLU0292097317 | 37 | 0,15% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK Small Cap | 0,61% | -0,74% | 3,17% | 21,36% | -2,95% | |
| FTSE 250 | 0,92% | 0,23% | 4,31% | 21,81% | 3,27% | |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | 1,94% | 2,25% | 9,43% | 23,63% | 16,53% | |
| FTSE UK Dividend+ | 2,48% | 1,35% | 7,65% | 23,65% | 27,04% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI UK Small Cap | 12,65% | 11,40% | -26,88% | 21,88% | -10,52% | |
| FTSE 250 | 13,30% | 10,13% | -21,80% | 24,81% | -9,75% | |
| S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | 17,23% | 8,38% | -13,28% | 22,28% | -21,13% | |
| FTSE UK Dividend+ | 18,53% | 8,30% | -6,96% | 31,71% | -21,50% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; Calculations in EUR 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 21 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0,07% p.a. and 0,52% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI Europe | Europa UK: 24.00% (30/11/2022) | 12 ETFs | 415 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI Europe index tracks the leading stocks from 15 European industrial countries. Index factsheet |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | Europa UK: 27.70% (30/11/2022) | 3 ETFs | 50 | The STOXX® Europe 50 index tracks 50 European large cap stocks. Index factsheet |
| STOXX® Europe 600 | Europa UK: 24.50% (30/11/2022) | 6 ETFs | 600 | The STOXX® Europe 600 index tracks the 600 largest European companies. Index factsheet |
| ETF ISIN | Fund size in m EUR | TER in % | Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amundi Stoxx Europe 600 UCITS ETF AccLU0908500753 | 8.568 | 0,07% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 | 7.977 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 | 7.823 | 0,12% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Geoptimaliseerde sampling | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0002635307 | 6.091 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribueren | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1CLU0274209237 | 4.231 | 0,12% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1CLU0328475792 | 2.567 | 0,20% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi Index ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DR (C)LU1437015735 | 2.125 | 0,12% p.a. | Accumulerend | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi MSCI Europe II UCITS ETF AccFR0010261198 | 676 | 0,25% p.a. | Accumulerend | Frankrijk | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF (DE) EUR (Acc)DE000A2QP4B6 | 645 | 0,20% p.a. | Accumulerend | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 | 597 | 0,35% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi ETF STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETF EUR (C)FR0010790980 | 489 | 0,15% p.a. | Accumulerend | Frankrijk | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| Invesco STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWW18 | 467 | 0,19% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| Xtrackers Stoxx Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1DLU2581375156 | 322 | 0,07% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0446734104 | 314 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Amundi Index MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DR EUR (D)LU1737652310 | 305 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00BKWQ0Q14 | 238 | 0,25% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 | 199 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribueren | Ierland | Volledige replicatie | |
| iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0005933949 | 116 | 0,52% p.a. | Distribueren | Duitsland | Volledige replicatie | |
| Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1DLU1242369327 | 114 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribueren | Luxemburg | Volledige replicatie | |
| Invesco MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00B60SWY32 | 34 | 0,19% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Niet-gefinancierde swap | |
| HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE000ZQOIPB1 | 12 | 0,10% p.a. | Accumulerend | Ierland | Volledige replicatie |
| Index | 1 month in % | 3 months in % | 6 months in % | 1 year in % | 3 years in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOXX® Europe 50 | -0,69% | -4,63% | -2,42% | 11,59% | 30,29% | |
| STOXX® Europe 600 | -1,10% | -3,43% | -1,35% | 12,52% | 18,77% | |
| MSCI Europe | -0,09% | -2,63% | -0,53% | 13,47% | 21,74% |
| Index | 2024 in % | 2023 in % | 2022 in % | 2021 in % | 2020 in % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STOXX® Europe 600 | 8,37% | 16,04% | -10,41% | 25,27% | -1,79% | |
| STOXX® Europe 50 | 8,56% | 15,04% | -2,33% | 26,55% | -6,30% | |
| MSCI Europe | 9,43% | 16,13% | -9,71% | 26,11% | -3,09% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 30-11-2024; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.