WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Active vs. Passive Funds:
It’s More Than Just Fees
Article by Wealth Management Systems, Inc. Courtesy of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor
This article considers how actively managed funds have fared versus
passive funds, i.e., those mirroring a benchmark or index, and how the two
styles compare in other ways.
Since the first index fund was invented in 1975, the debate has raged between active and passive investing styles.
Passive investors adhere to the principal of market efficiency, which holds that all information available about a company is
reflected in its current stock price. Rather than trying to second-guess the market, passive investors buy the entire market, or a
specific segment of it, via index funds.
Active investors counter that the market is not always efficient and that through research, active fund managers may be able to
uncover information not already reflected in a security's price and potentially profit by it. A less-than-efficient market, they reason,
favors active stock selection.
Which is better? That depends on what you look at.
PERFORMANCE
Over the years, numerous performance comparisons have been made between the two styles. Most have found that in the aggregate,
passive outperforms active, especially after fees are taken into consideration. One of these, Standard & Poor’s SPIVA® (S&P
Indices Versus Active Funds) U.S. Scorecard, found that 57% of all actively-managed domestic equity funds underperformed their
benchmarks after expenses during the 10 years ended Dec. 31, 2013. 1
But the results are more mixed during shorter time periods or when different segments or investing styles are examined. For
instance, although actively managed large- and small-cap funds underperformed their benchmarks in 2013, actively managed
midcap funds outperformed, as did actively managed growth funds in the large-cap, midcap, and multi-cap categories.1
FEES
Actively managed funds generally charge higher annual expenses than their index-based cousins. As of December 31, 2013, the
average dollar-weighted expense ratios of actively managed domestic large-cap, midcap, and small-cap funds was 0.80%, 0.97%,
and 1.03% respectively. By comparison, the index versions of these fund categories charged 0.13%, 0.23%, and 0.23%
respectively.2 Although fee ratios for actively-managed funds have been trending down in recent years, they are still well above
those of passive funds and are likely to remain so given that they require higher research and management costs and are
consequently more expensive to run.
TAKEAWAYS FOR INVESTORS
Although aggregate, long-term performance and fees both favor passive over active, there are some important points to be made in
favor of active management. In certain segments, such as growth and international small-cap equity, active managers have tended to
outperform the benchmarks more frequently, often when the economy and financial markets are in a state of flux. 1 While active
management cannot guarantee market-beating returns, it does offer the potential to capitalize on market shifts and the flexibility to
take advantage of different investing strategies. Active managers also appear to have the edge in markets that are not efficient and
when implementing investment strategies that are complex and fast moving. Such circumstances can pose issues for index funds,
which typically must adhere to a predetermined set of rules and may not be able to respond as nimbly as active managers. 3
In practice, a blended approach may be the best answer. Consider index funds for efficient markets and active management for less
efficient areas. When the broad market turns volatile, adding a defensive, actively traded fund to a portfolio of index holdings may
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
help to smooth out bumps and moderate overall portfolio risk. Alternatively, passive investors can potentially build risk
management into their portfolios by diversifying among a range of index funds covering a wide, varied swath of the market.
Keep in mind that how you construct your portfolio should consider much more than performance and fees. Let me work with you
to find the mix that best suits your situation.
Sources:
1S&P Dow Jones Indices, "S&P Indices Versus Active Funds (SPIVA®) U.S. Scorecard," March 20, 2014.
2Morningstar. Based on the dollar-weighted average expense ratios for all funds tracked by Morningstar within each category.
3The Wall Street Journal, The Experts: When Does Active Management Make Sense? April 21, 2013.
Index Funds are offered by prospectus. It is not possible to directly invest in an index.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives and risks as well as charges and expenses of a mutual fund before
investing. To obtain a prospectus, contact your Financial Advisor or visit the fund company’s website. The prospectus contains
this and other information about the mutual fund. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.
The investor should note that funds that invest exclusively in one sector or industry involve additional risks. The lack of industry diversification subjects the investor
to increased industry-specific risks.
Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining financial markets.
Equity Securities’ prices may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each company, industry, market conditions, and general economic environment.
Growth investing does not guarantee a profit or eliminate risk. The stocks of these companies can have relatively high valuations. Because of these high valuations,
an investment in a growth stock can be more risky than an investment in a company with more modest growth expectations.
Small Capitalization Funds are managed aggressively and typically carry more risk than stock funds investing in well-established companies.
International investing involves certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives
of persons who receive it. The securities discussed in this material may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently
evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial adviser. The appropriateness of a particular investment or
strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.
The author(s) are not employees of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"). The opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not
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CRC 930688 [05/14]
2014 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC.
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