June's 10 most-bought funds

Woodford Investment Management's inaugural fund, CF Woodford Equity Income, was the bestselling fund for the 12th consecutive month according to data from Interactive Investor.

Star manager Neil Woodford's first independent vehicle has reigned over Interactive Investor's top spot since its launch in June 2014. Investors continue to pile into the fund despite a swell of assets that has seen CF Woodford Equity Income grow from £1.6 billion at launch to over £6.1 billion as at 30 June.

Performance has so far warranted demand, with CF Woodford Equity Income outperforming every other UK equity income fund in the 12 months to 1 July with a return of over 17%.

The second-best selling fund on Interactive Investor in June was Money Observer Rated Fund in the specialist category AXA Framlington Biotech, which has held onto the number two spot since December 2014.

Strong returns

Managed by biotechnology expert Linden Thomson, AXA Framlington Biotech has defied those forecasting the end of a two-year rally in biotechnology stocks, returning close to 60% in the year to 1 July and more than 20% since 1 January.

In third place was fellow Money Observer Rated Fund in the global growth category Fundsmith Equity - another perennial favourite with Interactive Investor clients that marks its fourth consecutive month in the top three. Managed by controversial manager Terry Smith, Fundsmith Equity has delivered strong returns since its launch in 2011 having benefited from a strong tilt towards US equities.

The first of four Vanguard tracker funds to feature in the top 10, Vanguard LifeStrategy 80% Equities was the fourth most-bought fund on Interactive Investor in June for the second consecutive month. The mixed-asset vehicle invests in a number of other Vanguard global trackers, helping to keep its costs low and its ongoing charges figure (OCF) at just 0.24%.

Low costs are the chief attraction of passive investment vehicles and one of the reasons behind their surging popularity in recent years.

However, proving that the best active managers can and do add value is Money Observer Rated Fund in the UK growth category Neptune UK Mid Cap, which moves up one place to be the fifth most-bought fund in June. Managed by UK medium-sized company expert Mark Martin, Neptune UK Mid Cap has consistently outperformed in even the most difficult markets, delivering top-quartile returns over one, three and five years to 1 July.

Over five years the fund is the best performer in the 275 fund strong UK all companies sector, delivering 192% compared to a sector average of just 80%.

Fellow Money Observer Rated Fund in the global equity income category Artemis Global Income was the sixth most-bought fund in June, falling one place from fifth in May. Managed by Jacob de Tusch Lec since its launch in 2010, the fund has notched up consistent first-quartile performance; over three years to 1 July it has returned 73.9%, making it the best performer in the global equity income sector over the period.

Vanguard LifeStrategy 100% Equities, Vanguard FTSE Developed World ex UK Equities Index and Vanguard FTSE UK All Share Index were the seventh, eighth and ninth most-bought funds in June, cementing the popularity of Vanguard's funds with Interactive Investor customers.

Neil Woodford's former charge, Invesco Perpetual High Income, was the 10th most-bought fund last month, for the second consecutive month, as Woodford's former protégé Mark Barnett continues to deliver strong performance.

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.