Active fund managers faced unprecedented underperformance in 2022, with data revealing most couldn't beat their benchmarks even during market downturns. The discussion highlights the shift from active to passive investing, particularly in Europe, where trust in managers is wavering. Delving into emerging markets, the complexities of stock picking and the potential advantages of local managers are examined. The podcast also explores the paradox of academic credentials in investment success and the inherent risks and challenges in selecting effective funds.
In 2022, active fund managers in the UK faced unprecedented challenges, with 92% of large-cap funds significantly underperforming their benchmarks.
The persistent underperformance of active funds, even during downturns, highlights a broader trend favoring passive investment strategies for consistent returns.
Deep dives
Active Management Underperformance
Recent data reveals that active fund managers in the UK had a notably poor performance in 2022, with 92% of large-cap funds underperforming their benchmark. This trend continued with mid-cap stocks, where 97% of active funds failed to deliver better returns than their passive counterparts. Historically, active management has been seen as a viable strategy during market downturns, yet evidence suggests that even in challenging conditions, these managers struggled to justify their higher fees. This persistent trend indicates that active management may not provide the advantages that investors hope for, emphasizing the overall effectiveness of passive investing strategies.
Challenges in Equity Markets
Equity funds based in Europe experienced their worst performance on record, highlighting the difficulties faced by active managers in these markets. The report noted that while fixed-income funds performed slightly better than their equity counterparts, most equity funds still underperformed. Factors such as currency fluctuations and market transparency were discussed, stressing how these elements impact the ability of active fund managers to effectively select outperforming stocks. The data suggests that despite the perceived advantages of active stock picking, many funds continue to struggle in delivering consistent returns.
The Role of Fees in Fund Performance
Fees play a significant role in the underperformance of active funds, as evidenced by a study comparing gross versus net performance. Active funds often show a nominal outperformance before fees, but once these fees are deducted, net performance frequently falls into negative territory. This phenomenon indicates that the majority of active funds fail to generate enough alpha to compensate investors for the costs associated with investing in them. Consequently, investors are increasingly turning toward passive options, which offer lower fees and a higher likelihood of market-matching returns.
Passive Investing in Emerging Markets
The discussion turned to the effectiveness of passive investing within emerging markets, where it was noted that active funds also struggle to outperform. On average, 97% of US-based active funds focusing on emerging markets underperformed their benchmarks over 20 years, indicating that even in less efficient markets, passive strategies often prevail. However, there are exceptions in particular segments, such as mid-cap companies in India, where specific active managers have shown better results. Overall, while active management may succeed in niche areas, the prevailing trend indicates that passive investing remains the more reliable strategy for achieving long-term investment goals.
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode