Since no one invests for free, investment cost ultimately causes
the average active fund in every category and style to underperform.
But it doesn't explain why
the average active fund returns about the same as the average passive fund.
While it is true that
the average active fund in Canada charges more than the average index fund, the active funds usually come with individualized advice whereas the index funds do not.
Recent Fidelity research found that if you limit your search to low - cost funds from the largest fund shops,
the average active fund has outperformed the average passive fund and the market over a market cycle.
Current yield for
the average active fund is based on trailing 12 month yield as reported by Morningstar.
Modified duration, current yield and yield to maturity for
the average active fund is based on the average of those funds that have these statistics reported by Morningstar.
As of April 30, the Journal reported,
the average active fund was up by 2.25 %, against the 1.92 % return of the S&P 500.
As expected, index fund portfolios outperformed comparable active fund portfolios because index funds outperformed
the average active fund in each investment category.