Just like Pitbull, you too can become “Mr Worldwide” (or Mrs Worldwide if you prefer) by using an index fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) to achieve global domination with your investment portfolio. Owning a piece of the world might seem far-fetched, but it’s now easier than ever to be an international investor – right from the comfort of your own home.
Here are some of the largest and most popular global equity ETFs available to UK investors:
| ETF | Icon | 1-year performance (to Nov. '26) | 5-year performance (to Nov. '26) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ETF USD Accumulation (VWRP) |  |
23.41% | 73.38% | Invest Capital at risk |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF USD (Acc) GBP (SSAC) |  |
23.49% | 74.56% | Invest Capital at risk |
| SPDR® MSCI World ETF (SWRD) |  |
21.90% | 74.03% | Invest Capital at risk |
| Invesco FTSE All-World ETF USD Accumalation (FWRG) |  |
23.59% | 65.15% (3 years) | Invest Capital at risk |
| Amundi Prime All Country World ETF EUR (WEBN) |  |
25.57% | 32.32% (2 years) | Invest Capital at risk |
| HSBC MSCI World ETF (HMWD) |  |
20.36% | 61.62% | Invest Capital at risk |
| Vanguard ESG Global All Cap ETF (USD) Distributing (V3AM) | |
22.07% | 54.08% | Invest Capital at risk |
| L&G Global Equity ETF GBP (LGGG) |  |
22.04% | 79.54% | Invest Capital at risk |
| UBS MSCI World USD A-dis (UC55) |  |
20.33% | 65.60% | Invest Capital at risk |
| Xtrackers MSCI World ETF (XDWG) |  |
21.23% | 62.16% | Invest Capital at risk |
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One of the best things about global funds and ETFs is that you can invest in them through many different share dealing platforms. So, if you’re in the UK and want to get started investing in the best global index funds the world has to offer, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
A global index fund is a type of investment fund that usually mirrors and tracks the performance of a global stock market index. Rather than picking individual stocks from each country, these funds buy a broad basket of shares from companies across multiple countries, continents, industries, sectors and sizes.
Think of it as the world tour of investing, one ticket gives you exposure to markets at home and beyond. However, not all global equity funds are the same because the underlying index might include or exclude specific regions or stock markets. For example, some global index funds don’t include emerging markets.
Most global funds should be tracking a similar benchmark index. The most common two are the MSCI index and the FTSE All-World index. Depending on your investing platform it could make more sense to use either an index fund or an exchange-traded fund.
Some platforms will only let you access ETFs, and with other platforms it may be cheaper to invest in funds rather than ETFs, for example.
Here are some of the largest and most popular global equity index funds available to UK investors:
There’s no exact formula for picking the best global equity fund to use. This is largely because you still have plenty of options when it comes to narrowing down your choices.
For example, you may want to include or exclude emerging markets. Or, you may want to focus on small cap or large cap stocks. Perhaps you want a global fund that uses an ESG filter. The point is, global funds can still come in all shapes and sizes.
Another key consideration is cost. Each fund or ETF will have an ongoing cost displayed as a percentage, and these can vary across providers – even if the funds are essentially the same. So, you still need to carefully consider how you want to invest and what sort of global strategy you want to explore with your portfolio.
The key reasons for using a global equity fund usually come down to:
The key costs to consider if you’re thinking about investing in global equity funds would be:
Here are some of the key drawbacks and risks to think about if you want to invest in a global fund:
"Both the MSCI and FTSE indices offer global exposure, but there are some key differences. MSCI World focuses on developed markets, excluding emerging markets like China or India, for example.
The FTSE All-World includes both developed and emerging markets, giving it broader coverage so funds mirroring this benchmark sometimes include more stocks. It’s always worth just checking the fund documents to ensure you know what you’re investing in."
Global index funds and ETFs are a smart way to diversify your portfolio with minimal fuss. Whether you’re a beginner investor or a seasoned pro, these funds could find a place in your portfolio.
Global equity funds offer a hands-off, passive route to tapping into worldwide growth. Just make sure to pick the right investing platform and compare fees and funds before you dive into international waters.
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