With less than a week to go until the deadline for using your 2011/12 Investment ISA allowance (£10,680), this is your last opportunity to protect your returns from the taxman. To help you know where others are putting their money, we feature our Top 10 most popular funds.

Huge discounts available

There are massive savings available not just on the standard initial charges, but also the annual management charge. All of the fund below have a 0% initial charge and a saving of 0.2% on the standard annual management charge. Based on the maximum invested into a current year ISA this equates to a saving on initial charges of up to £534. See below for the savings on each individual fund.

Independent ratings agency OBSR

OBSR is an independent consultancy specialising in investment analysis. Their fund ratings are based on a proven research process where qualitative research is supported by quantitative analysis and all of the top selling funds detailed below are either AA rated (‘Very Good’) or AAA rated (‘Exceptional’). Please note that past performance is not a guide to future performance.

1.    Aberdeen Emerging Markets

Aberdeen’s Emerging Markets fund is AAA rated by OBSR and has had top quartile performance over 1, 3 and 5 years. The fund is the number one fund over 3 and 5 years and has returned 16.50%* in the last 6 months*. The fund has exposure to emerging stock markets worldwide with the current top 3 countries by weighting being Brazil, India and Hong Kong.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£453 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

2.    First State Global Emerging Market Leaders

First States Global Emerging Market Leaders fund is AAA rated by OBSR and has top quartile performance over 1 and 5 years*. The fund is ranked number 2 over 5 years and invests worldwide in large and mid capitalization emerging market equities with the current top 3 countries by weighting being South Africa, Taiwan and South Korea.
This fund is available at 0.% initial charge (£427 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

3.    Invesco Perpetual High Income

Invesco Perpetual’s High Income fund is AAA rated by OBSR and is managed by the very well-respected Neil Woodford. The fund has had top quartile performance over 3 and 5 years and is the number 2 fund over the last 12 months having returned 13.79%*. The recent yield of the fund has been around the 4% mark with income paid twice yearly.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£534 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

4.    M&G Global Dividend

The Global Dividend fund from M&G launched in July 2008 and has had top quartile performance over 1 and 3 years. The fund invests over 80% in non-UK equities and has a historical yield of 3.56%, with quarterly income payments. The fund is AA rated by OBSR and has returned 82.63%* over the last 3 years.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£427 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

5.    Newton Asian Income

Newton’s Asian Income fund has a 5.14% yield and invests predominantly in the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan. The current top 3 countries by weighting are Australia, Singapore and Taiwan. AA rated by OBSR, the fund boasts an impressive top quartile cumulative performance ranking over 1, 3 and 5 years, producing 111.10%* over the last 3 years.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£427 saving) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

6.    Invesco Perpetual Monthly Income Plus

The Monthly Income Plus fund from Invesco Perpetual has a current distribution yield of 7.01%* and income is paid monthly. The fund is AAA rated by OBSR and is top quartile over the last 3 and 5 years based on cumulative performance, returning 78.37%* over the last 3 years.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£534 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

7.    M&G Optimal Income

M&G’s Optimal Income fund has a current distribution yield of 4.92%* and pays income twice annually. The manager Richard Woolnough has achieved a AA rating from OBSR for the fund and has delivered top quartile cumulative performance over 5 years being ranked number one in it is sector over that timeframe, outperforming its sector by over 35%*.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£427 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

8.    Blackrock Gold & General

The Blackrock Gold and General fund aims to achieve long term capital growth by investing in gold mining and precious metal-related shares. The fund is AAA rated by OBSR and is top quartile over 5 years having returned 78.59%*.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£534 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

9.    M&G Recovery

M&G’s Recovery fund is AAA rated by OBSR and has had top quartile cumulative performance over the last 1, 3 and 5 years, returning 79.95%* over the last 3 years. The fund’s sole aim is capital and it invests in a diversified range of securities issues by companies which are out of favour, in difficulty or whose future prospects are not fully recognized by the market.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£427 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

10.    Invesco Perpetual Distribution

Another income fund takes our last spot. Invesco Perpetual’s Distribution fund is a managed fund which aims to give a balance of income and growth through a portfolio of primarily UK equity and bonds with a maximum of 60% permitted in shares. The current distribution yield is 6.70%* and income is paid monthly and fund has an impressive top quartile performance over 1, 3 and 5 years*. The fund is AAA rated by OBSR.
This fund is available at 0% initial charge (£534 saving**) and a 0.2% annual rebate. Click here for more information »

How to apply

Applying is easy and with the ISA deadline imminent, you will need to use our online investor service. Simply click on any of the links above and follow the online steps. Note that for new ISA investments you will need a debit card and your National Insurance number at hand.

Remember that you can also take advantage of your ISA allowance for both the current and next tax year as well as transfer any existing holdings. If you have any questions or need help with applying, contact our Investment Helpline on 0845 308 2525.

Click here to compare our Top selling funds »

* data correct as at 29/02/2012
** based on the maximum contribution of £10,680 into a Stocks & Shares ISA

No news, feature article or comment should be seen as a personal recommendation to invest. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment. If you are at all unsure of the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.

The value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. Different types of investment carry different levels of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please note that past performance is not a guide to future performance.

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