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.
Performance of UK stocks (FTSE 100)
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 16 ETFs. On the FTSE 100 index there are 10 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..
Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE 100 |
Reino Unido | 10 ETFs | 100 |
The FTSE 100 index tracks the 100 largest UK stocks.
Index factsheet |
FTSE All-Share |
Reino Unido | 2 ETFs | 586 (30/11/22) |
The FTSE All-Share index tracks all UK-based companies admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
Index factsheet |
MSCI UK |
Reino Unido | 3 ETFs | 80 (31/1/23) |
The MSCI UK index tracks large and mid cap equity market performance of United Kingdom.
Index factsheet |
Morningstar UK |
Reino Unido | 1 ETF | 321 (30/11/22) |
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 | 12.544 | 0,07% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00B810Q511 | 4.448 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares Core FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBP (Acc)IE00B53HP851 | 1.907 | 0,07% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-accLU0950670850 | 1.467 | 0,20% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Vanguard FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXYP42 | 1.013 | 0,09% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETFIE00B7452L46 | 694 | 0,20% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
HSBC FTSE 100 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B42TW061 | 576 | 0,07% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
Lyxor Core Morningstar UK NT (DR) UCITS ETF - DistLU1781541096 | 485 | 0,04% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Lyxor FTSE 100 UCITS ETF - AccLU1650492173 | 316 | 0,14% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Swap sin fondos | |
iShares MSCI UK UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B539F030 | 154 | 0,33% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
UBS ETF (LU) FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (GBP) A-disLU0136242590 | 90 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
SPDR FTSE UK All Share UCITS ETFIE00BD5FCF91 | 90 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF Income 1DLU0292097234 | 72 | 0,09% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Xtrackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF 1CLU0838780707 | 70 | 0,09% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-disLU0937836467 | 49 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Invesco FTSE 100 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWT88 | 19 | 0,09% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Swap sin fondos |
Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE All-Share | 5,20% | 7,79% | 0,28% | -0,84% | 9,93% | |
Morningstar UK | 5,15% | 8,01% | 0,11% | -0,07% | 9,48% | |
FTSE 100 | 5,01% | 7,58% | 1,47% | 2,02% | 13,04% | |
MSCI UK | 4,78% | 7,38% | 0,91% | 3,12% | 13,59% |
Index | 2023 in % |
2022 in % |
2021 in % |
2020 in % |
2019 in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI UK | 4,78% | 1,29% | 27,62% | -18,06% | 22,09% | |
FTSE 100 | 5,01% | -0,81% | 26,60% | -16,25% | 23,11% | |
Morningstar UK | 5,15% | -4,07% | 26,52% | -16,10% | 24,53% | |
FTSE All-Share | 5,20% | -5,07% | 26,28% | -14,82% | 24,89% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/1/23; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best UK ETFs
by 1 year return
1 | UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-acc | 3,12% |
2 | UBS ETF (LU) MSCI UK UCITS ETF (GBP) A-dis | 3,10% |
3 | iShares MSCI UK UCITS ETF (Acc) | 2,98% |
The cheapest UK ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
1 | Lyxor Core Morningstar UK NT (DR) 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. |
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..
Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
---|---|---|---|---|
FTSE 250 | Reino Unido
Medio |
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 | Reino Unido
Fundamental/Calidad |
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+ | Reino Unido
Dividendo |
1 ETF | 48 (31/3/22) |
The FTSE UK Dividend+ index tracks the highest yielding UK stocks.
Index factsheet |
MSCI UK Small Cap | Reino Unido
Pequeño |
1 ETF | 251 (31/1/23) |
The MSCI UK Small Cap index tracks UK small cap stocks.
Index factsheet |
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | Reino Unido
Dividendo |
1 ETF | 39 (30/11/22) |
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 | Reino Unido
Social/Medioambiental |
1 ETF | 106 (30/7/21) |
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 EUR |
TER in % |
Use of profits | Fund domicile | Replication method | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF DistributingIE00BKX55Q28 | 1.935 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares UK Dividend UCITS ETFIE00B0M63060 | 1.012 | 0,40% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B00FV128 | 986 | 0,40% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS ETF (GBP) AccumulatingIE00BFMXVQ44 | 308 | 0,10% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares MSCI UK Small Cap UCITS ETF (Acc)IE00B3VWLG82 | 214 | 0,58% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
SPDR S&P UK Dividend Aristocrats UCITS ETF (Dist)IE00B6S2Z822 | 129 | 0,30% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
L&G UK Equity UCITS ETFIE00BFXR5R48 | 78 | 0,05% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
HSBC FTSE 250 UCITS ETF GBPIE00B64PTF05 | 56 | 0,35% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
Xtrackers FTSE 250 UCITS ETF 1DLU0292097317 | 37 | 0,15% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Invesco FTSE 250 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWV01 | 19 | 0,12% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Swap sin fondos | |
Invesco FTSE RAFI UK 100 UCITS ETFIE00B23LNN70 | 10 | 0,39% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta |
Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI UK Small Cap | 6,96% | 9,68% | -6,50% | -16,27% | -12,62% | |
FTSE 250 | 6,17% | 9,08% | -4,88% | -12,12% | -4,35% | |
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | 4,86% | 5,33% | -8,55% | -7,20% | -11,77% | |
FTSE UK Dividend+ | 6,89% | 10,95% | 0,10% | -4,79% | 6,82% | |
Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap | 5,05% | 7,89% | 1,34% | 2,50% | 12,99% | |
FTSE RAFI UK 100 | 6,31% | 8,38% | 4,15% | 3,58% | 18,83% |
Index | 2023 in % |
2022 in % |
2021 in % |
2020 in % |
2019 in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S&P UK High Yield Dividend Aristocrats | 4,86% | -13,28% | 22,28% | -21,13% | 38,42% | |
Solactive Core United Kingdom Large & Mid Cap | 5,05% | -0,36% | 26,59% | -16,88% | 23,04% | |
FTSE 250 | 6,17% | -21,80% | 24,81% | -9,77% | 35,28% | |
FTSE RAFI UK 100 | 6,31% | 4,37% | 31,69% | -21,24% | 19,03% | |
FTSE UK Dividend+ | 6,89% | -6,96% | 31,71% | -21,50% | 24,90% | |
MSCI UK Small Cap | 6,96% | -26,88% | 21,88% | -10,52% | 35,86% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/1/23; 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 17 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on Europe indices is between 0,07% p.a. and 0,35% p.a..
Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSCI Europe | Europa
UK: 24,00% (30/11/2022) |
12 ETFs | 425 (31/1/23) |
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) |
1 ETF | 50 |
The STOXX® Europe 50 index tracks 50 European large cap stocks.
Index factsheet |
STOXX® Europe 600 | Europa
UK: 24,50% (30/11/2022) |
4 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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Dist)IE00B1YZSC51 | 6.515 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF (DE)DE0002635307 | 5.866 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribución | Alemania | Replicación física perfecta | |
Lyxor Core STOXX Europe 600 (DR) UCITS ETF AccLU0908500753 | 5.110 | 0,07% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares Core MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE00B4K48X80 | 4.569 | 0,12% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Optimizada muestreo | |
Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1CLU0274209237 | 3.167 | 0,12% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Xtrackers STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF 1CLU0328475792 | 1.666 | 0,20% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Amundi ETF MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DRLU1437015735 | 1.464 | 0,15% p.a. | Acumulación | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Lyxor MSCI Europe (DR) UCITS ETF - AccFR0010261198 | 801 | 0,25% p.a. | Acumulación | Francia | Replicación física perfecta | |
iShares STOXX Europe 50 UCITS ETFIE0008470928 | 553 | 0,35% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
Amundi Index MSCI Europe UCITS ETF DR EUR (D)LU1737652310 | 435 | 0,15% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
SPDR MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00BKWQ0Q14 | 310 | 0,25% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
UBS ETF (LU) MSCI Europe UCITS ETF (EUR) A-disLU0446734104 | 275 | 0,20% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Invesco STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETFIE00B60SWW18 | 234 | 0,19% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Swap sin fondos | |
HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EURIE00B5BD5K76 | 128 | 0,10% p.a. | Distribución | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta | |
Xtrackers MSCI Europe UCITS ETF 1DLU1242369327 | 92 | 0,12% p.a. | Distribución | Luxemburgo | Replicación física perfecta | |
Invesco MSCI Europe UCITS ETFIE00B60SWY32 | 58 | 0,19% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Swap sin fondos | |
HSBC MSCI Europe UCITS ETF EUR (Acc)IE000ZQOIPB1 | 1 | 0,10% p.a. | Acumulación | Irlanda | Replicación física perfecta |
Index | 1 month in % |
3 months in % |
6 months in % |
1 year in % |
3 years in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STOXX® Europe 600 | 6,73% | 10,26% | 4,11% | -0,61% | 18,67% | |
MSCI Europe | 6,82% | 10,17% | 4,32% | 0,14% | 19,35% | |
STOXX® Europe 50 | 5,57% | 8,99% | 5,86% | 5,52% | 23,71% |
Index | 2023 in % |
2022 in % |
2021 in % |
2020 in % |
2019 in % |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STOXX® Europe 50 | 5,57% | -2,33% | 26,55% | -6,30% | 27,24% | |
STOXX® Europe 600 | 6,73% | -10,61% | 24,91% | -2,28% | 28,56% | |
MSCI Europe | 6,82% | -9,71% | 26,11% | -3,09% | 26,34% |
Source: justETF.com; As of 31/1/23; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.