Do index funds outperform the market?
Unfortunately not, by definition index funds can't beat the market. The reason being is because they invest exactly like the market, but are a product, created by a company, that has fees associated with it. So those fees will be the reason an index product can't “beat the market”.
Index funds can be an excellent option for beginners stepping into the investment world. They are a simple, cost-effective way to hold a broad range of stocks or bonds that mimic a specific benchmark index, meaning they are diversified.
It is relatively common to beat the market for 1–3 years at a time. That can largely be explained by luck. But the data clearly shows that even professional fund managers are unable to beat the market consistently over a longer period of time, like 10–15 years.
However, when considering a 10-year scope, only 44% of active funds kept above the index and the active average return for 10 years only hit 56.5% while passive reached 60.5%. “While all active fund investors expect outperformance, it's not statistically possible for all managers to outperform,” Khalaf said.
Index funds offer lower fees and tax efficiency. Due to their passive nature, they often perform in line with market benchmarks, making them suitable for investors seeking broad market exposure at lower costs. On the other hand, active mutual funds aim to outperform the market by employing active management strategies.
Wealthy investors can afford investments that average investors can't. These investments offer higher returns than indexes do because there is more risk involved. Wealthy investors can absorb the high risk that comes with high returns.
If you're new to investing, you can absolutely start off by buying index funds alone as you learn more about how to choose the right stocks. But as your knowledge grows, you may want to branch out and add different companies to your portfolio that you feel align well with your personal risk tolerance and goals.
Disadvantages include the lack of downside protection, no choice in index composition, and it cannot beat the market (by definition).
No index fund is completely free of risk. However, these funds are considered to be some of the safest investments available due to their diversification. Diversification, by design, delivers lower risk.
Conclusion. Comparing the CRSP US Total Market Index and the S&P 500 Index since 1957 reveals that their long-term returns are similar, and their representative ETFs are tax efficient. Significant differences in annual returns occur frequently, but these differences are offset over extended periods.
Does anyone beat the S&P 500?
Yes, you may be able to beat the market, but with investment fees, taxes, and human emotion working against you, you're more likely to do so through luck than skill. If you can merely match the S&P 500, minus a small fee, you'll be doing better than most investors.
Through careful research and diversification across various investment strategies, it is possible for investors to outperform the S&P 500 and potentially achieve significant long-term gains.
Less than 10% of active large-cap fund managers have outperformed the S&P 500 over the last 15 years. The biggest drag on investment returns is unavoidable, but you can minimize it if you're smart. Here's what to look for when choosing a simple investment that can beat the Wall Street pros.
Unsurprisingly, the majority do not beat those benchmarks, and even the ones who do don't keep their lead for long. Over its 23-year history, the SPIVA report shows that, on average, 64% of active large-cap fund managers fare worse than their benchmark (the S&P 500) in any given year.
| Fund | 2023 performance (%) | 5yr performance (%) |
|---|---|---|
| MS INVF US Insight | 52.26 | 34.65 |
| Sands Capital US Select Growth Fund | 51.3 | 76.97 |
| Natixis Loomis Sayles US Growth Equity | 49.56 | 111.67 |
| T. Rowe Price US Blue Chip Equity | 49.54 | 81.57 |
While indexes may be low cost and diversified, they prevent seizing opportunities elsewhere. Moreover, indexes do not provide protection from market corrections and crashes when an investor has a lot of exposure to stock index funds.
The average stock market return is about 10% per year, as measured by the S&P 500 index, but that 10% average rate is reduced by inflation.
But along with that comes slower gains than you may experience investing in individual stocks, options, crypto or other higher-risk investments. Remember, index funds are passively managed, so there's little chance to make quick adjustments and realize significant short-term gains.
Buffett not only sees index funds as the simplest path to achieve a diversified portfolio, but they're also the cheapest. One of the biggest factors that drives down the performance of mutual funds are the fees investors have to pay.
The short answer is a resounding yes. Let's take a look at why this is. While past investment performance doesn't guarantee future results, the return of S&P 500 index funds has been about 9% to 10% annualized per year over long periods, depending on the exact timeframe you're looking at.
Why not just invest in S&P 500?
The S&P 500 is all US-domiciled companies that over the last ~40 years have accounted for ~50% of all global stocks. By just owning the S&P 500 you miss out on almost half of the global opportunity set which is another ~10,000 public companies.
Index Funds
You may develop a diverse portfolio with this form of investing that is generally interactive and generates respectable returns. Because market fluctuations are typically less volatile across an index than they are for individual equities, index funds can help investors balance the risk in their portfolios.
How Long Is Long-term For Index Funds? Ideally, your investment tenure should depend on your goals. But that said, there has to be a minimum duration for which you should choose equity investing. The data shows you should have a minimum tenure of 7 years or more when investing in equities.
To be sure, if you have the time, knowledge, and desire to create a portfolio of individual stocks, by all means, go for it. But even if you do own individual stocks, index funds can form a solid base for your portfolio. Index funds offer investors of all skill levels a simple, successful way to invest.
The S&P 500, through index funds from the likes of Vanguard and SPDR, provides long-term returns that have historically outpaced inflation.
