2009 Was the Last Year a Majority of Active Funds Beat the S&P 500 📈

What We’re Showing

This graphic shows the percentage of actively-managed U.S. equity funds that outperformed or underperformed the S&P 500 index. Data comes from S&P Dow Jones Indices, as of Dec. 31, 2023.

Key Takeaway

The majority of actively-managed U.S. equity funds have failed to beat the S&P 500 each year since 2001, with a few exceptions (2005, 2007, 2009).

An actively-managed equity fund is a mutual fund where portfolio managers select and trade stocks in an attempt to outperform the index. 

Why This Matters

Actively-managed funds charge higher fees relative to passively-managed products. Paying these fees over the long-term can significantly reduce your returns.