- Our analysis of 2,310 Investment Association sector-classified funds identified the 10 best performers of the past decade based on 1, 5, and 10-year results.
- Technology funds dominated the rankings, with Polar Capital Global Technology and Invesco EQQQ NASDAQ-100 ETF leading the way through sustained exposure to global innovation and U.S. mega-cap growth.
- Active management also delivered exceptional outcomes, particularly through Baillie Gifford American and Baillie Gifford Pacific, both of which benefited from high-conviction stock selection and long-term growth positioning.
- Gold and commodity-focused funds proved resilient across cycles, with Ninety One Global Gold, UBS Solactive Global Pure Gold Miners ETF, and WS Ruffer Gold among the top performers over 10 years.
Over the past decade, markets have experienced significant shifts — from the rise of global technology and the explosive growth of U.S. equities, to the volatility of commodities and the resurgence of gold. Against this backdrop, a select group of funds have consistently outperformed, delivering exceptional long-term returns that have far exceeded their sector averages.
Our analysis reviewed 2,310 Investment Association (IA) sector-classified funds with a full 10-year performance history. Each fund was measured across 1, 5, and 10-year periods, comparing cumulative and annualised performance against its sector average and peers. The results highlight the funds and managers that have demonstrated the most resilient and consistent performance through changing market cycles.
Below, we feature 10 of the best-performing funds of the past decade — each with a clear and identifiable investment approach that has driven their long-term success.
10 of The Best Performing Funds of The Past 10 Years
The table below highlights 10 of the funds that have delivered the highest growth over the past decade. Each has outperformed its sector average over 1, 3, and 5 years, reflecting strong management and disciplined positioning.
Technology funds feature prominently, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital innovation. Gold and commodity funds also stand out for their resilience and diversification benefits.
Together, these funds show how clear strategy, consistency, and effective management can sustain strong growth through different market conditions.
1. L&G Global Technology Index Trust I Acc
The L&G Global Technology Index Trust has been one of the best long-term performers of the past decade, with total growth of more than 760% over ten years. It follows the FTSE World Technology Index, giving investors exposure to major global tech firms like Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA. Its simple, rules-based structure has allowed it to fully capture the rise of the technology sector while keeping costs low at 0.46%. Over both 5 and 10 years, it has beaten the average performance of other technology funds, showing how an efficient low-cost strategy can deliver excellent long-term results.
2. SPDR S&P U.S. Technology Select Sector UCITS ETF
This ETF from State Street Global Advisors has achieved more than 730% growth over ten years by tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Index. It focuses on America’s leading technology companies, particularly Apple, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, which dominate its holdings. The ETF’s ongoing charge is just 0.15%, making it one of the cheapest ways to access this market. Its returns have closely mirrored the NASDAQ-100, showing that it provides strong, consistent growth with very little deviation from its benchmark.
3. Polar Capital Global Technology USD
The Polar Capital Global Technology Fund has been a top performer, growing more than 730% over the past decade. The fund holds around 60–80 carefully chosen global technology stocks. Major holdings include NVIDIA, Meta, Broadcom, and Apple, with added exposure to emerging areas such as AI, cloud computing, and digital platforms. Its active approach and experienced management team have helped it outperform the average technology fund despite its higher cost of 1.6%. Although performance can vary in volatile markets, its long-term track record remains among the best in the sector.
4. WS Ruffer Gold C Acc
The WS Ruffer Gold Fund has delivered strong 10-year annualised growth of around 18%, making it one of the most successful gold-focused funds for UK investors. It combines investments in large gold producers like Newmont and Endeavour Mining with smaller, growth-oriented exploration firms. The fund’s active approach allows it to benefit from both the stability of gold and the upside potential of mining shares. It has consistently outperformed the FTSE Gold Mines Index and proven particularly resilient during market downturns and high inflation.
5. UBS Solactive Global Pure Gold Miners UCITS ETF Dis USD
This ETF from UBS offers simple, low-cost access to global gold mining companies. It tracks the Solactive Global Pure Gold Miners Index and has achieved over 600% growth in the past decade. The portfolio includes leading names such as Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, Northern Star Resources, and Barrick Gold, with more than 90% of revenue coming from gold production. With costs of just 0.43%, the ETF has provided impressive long-term growth with minimal deviation from its benchmark, making it a straightforward choice for investors seeking exposure to the gold mining sector.
6. Invesco EQQQ NASDAQ-100 UCITS ETF NAV USD
The Invesco EQQQ NASDAQ-100 ETF has been one of the standout investments of the past ten years, returning over 520%. It tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index, giving exposure to leading U.S. growth and technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and NVIDIA. With a cost of 0.30%, it offers a low-cost way to invest in the innovation-led U.S. economy. The ETF is highly liquid and widely used by investors globally, reflecting the lasting strength of America’s technology giants in driving market growth.
7. Ninety One Global Gold I Acc GBP
The Ninety One Global Gold Fund, managed by George Cheveley, has achieved outstanding results with 10-year annualised growth of 21.7%. It invests mainly in gold mining companies, balancing established firms like Barrick and Newmont with faster-growing producers such as Northern Star Resources. The fund holds a diverse range of assets across North America, Australia, and South Africa, which has helped it perform strongly through different market conditions. Although gold prices can be volatile, the fund’s focused strategy and deep sector expertise have delivered excellent long-term returns, making it one of the strongest performers in its category.
8. Baillie Gifford American B Acc
The Baillie Gifford American Fund has delivered outstanding results over the past decade, with total growth of more than 400%, well above the sector average. The fund invests in a focused group of 30–50 high-growth U.S. companies such as Tesla, NVIDIA, and Amazon. Its managers look for businesses with long-term potential rather than short-term gains, meaning performance can fluctuate during market rotations, especially when value stocks are in favour. However, its strong long-term record shows Baillie Gifford’s skill in identifying innovative companies that have shaped the U.S. economy’s growth story.
9. L&G Global 100 Index Trust I Acc GBP
The L&G Global 100 Index Trust provides simple, low-cost exposure to the world’s 100 biggest companies. It has grown by more than 350% over the past 10 years by tracking the FTSE Global 100 Index, which includes leading names like Apple, Microsoft, Nestlé, and Johnson & Johnson. With a very low annual charge of 0.09%, the fund offers an efficient and balanced way to invest globally. Its returns have been helped by the strength of large U.S. firms and the steady performance of defensive sectors, leading to consistent outperformance of the IA Global sector average. Its low cost and reliable results make it a popular choice for long-term investors.
10. Baillie Gifford Pacific B Acc
The Baillie Gifford Pacific Fund has been one of the most dependable long-term performers in the Asia Pacific excluding Japan sector. Over the past decade, it has delivered strong growth, supported by long-term trends such as rising incomes, digitalisation, and industrial innovation across the region. The fund holds around 60–70 companies, including TSMC, Tencent, and Samsung Electronics. Its managers focus on quality businesses with sustainable growth and hold them for the long term, avoiding unnecessary trading. Although markets in Asia can be volatile, the fund’s disciplined approach and focus on structural growth have consistently helped it outperform the sector average.
Conclusion
The past decade has been defined by clear investment themes that have rewarded consistency and conviction. Technology funds have been the main growth driver, benefiting from innovation and global digital transformation, while gold and commodity funds have offered stability and diversification during periods of volatility.
The funds that achieved the strongest results did so through clarity of purpose and disciplined management. They maintained focus through changing conditions, resisted short-term noise, and remained aligned with long-term objectives. For investors, this underlines a key lesson: the best outcomes often come from holding well-structured, well-managed funds that demonstrate both strength and resilience across market cycles.
Portfolio Analysis: Staying Proactive, Not Reactive
Market conditions, fund management styles, and sector trends evolve constantly. A portfolio that was suitable three years ago may now carry unintended concentrations or risk exposure simply due to market movement. Without regular assessment, portfolios can drift away from their original design, leaving investors either overexposed to risk or too defensively positioned to capture opportunity.
Periodic reviews enable investors to identify and address these changes early. They ensure portfolios remain structured to reflect both current market conditions and the investor’s long-term objectives.
Proactive oversight is not about chasing short-term performance. It is about maintaining control, making timely adjustments, and ensuring each part of the portfolio continues to serve its intended purpose. Over time, this disciplined process contributes more to investment success than any single market event or fund choice.
A comprehensive portfolio review provides clarity on how effectively a portfolio is working, which areas are adding long-term value, and where improvements can be made. It helps investors maintain balance, reduce inefficiencies, and make confident decisions about their financial future.
Those who take the time to understand how their portfolio is performing beneath the surface are better placed to make meaningful improvements and ensure every part of their investment strategy is working with purpose.
