The Morningstar US Active/Passive Barometer for 2024 provides insightful data on how active funds have been performing compared to their passive counterparts. Over the past decade, active funds have faced challenges, marked by consistent outflows and difficulty in outperforming passive funds. However, the total assets in US passive mutual funds and ETFs exceeded those of active funds for the first time.

Despite these trends, active management is far from obsolete. Active managers have managed to compensate for outflows through strategies like asset appreciation and fee bases during lucrative market conditions. Yet, the changing market environment could pose challenges.

Key Findings from the Morningstar US Active/Passive Barometer:

  • Success Rates: In 2024, active small-cap managers had a higher success rate (43%) compared to mid-cap (37%) and large-cap (37%) managers. However, over the last decade, only 7% of active large-cap funds survived and outperformed their passive counterparts.

  • Challenges in Large-Cap Equity: Only 7% of active US large-cap funds managed to survive and outperform passive competitors over the past decade. However, there was an improvement in their performance in 2024, with a success rate increase to 37%.

  • Success in Small-Cap Categories: Active small-cap funds performed better over the long term, with a 43% success rate in 2024, suggesting that the market is less efficiently priced in this category.

  • Real Estate and Fixed Income: Actively managed US real estate funds displayed the highest success rate among all categories with 47% succeeding over the past decade. In fixed income, active bond managers saw increased success rates in 2024, particularly in intermediate core bonds, corporate bonds, and high-yield bonds.
Active management remains a viable option for certain categories, notably in real estate and fixed income markets. The Morningstar report provides a comprehensive analysis that aids financial advisors in understanding the dynamics of active versus passive fund performance.

The original article on Morningstar discusses these findings in detail, highlighting the importance of the Active/Passive Barometer as a tool for evaluating investment strategies, offering insights into fees, market dynamics, and success rates across various fund categories.

Chart of actively managed us real estate funds

Global real estate funds success rate decline chart

Rolling success rates for active intermediate bond funds

More Articles

Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study: Linking Childhood Trauma to Chronic Diseases in Adulthood

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, a groundbreaking collaboration between the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, has unveiled a startling connection between childhood trauma and the onset of chronic diseases in adulthood. This landmark study, as detailed in the original article from ACEs Too High, introduces the concept of the ACE score—a metric designed to quantify an individual's risk for developing health issues later in life, akin to a cholesterol score for childhood toxic stress.

Boost Your GMAT Scores with the Best Prep Courses

For aspiring MBA students, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) can be a daunting hurdle. However, the right preparation course can significantly alleviate this stress.

By |April 23, 2025|Categories: Article, Education, Test Preparation|Tags: , |0 Comments

Navigating 2025: Virgo Horoscope – Triumphs and Trials

As we step into 2025, Virgo natives are poised for a year filled with both triumphs and trials. With the guidance of planetary movements, this year is set to be transformative for those born under the Virgo sign.

By |April 23, 2025|Categories: Article, Astrology, Horoscope|Tags: |0 Comments

FTC’s New Stance on Non-Compete Agreements: A Potential Game Changer

The FTC moved to stay its appeals to challenges against the Non-Compete Rule, signaling a potential shift in enforcement amid increased antitrust scrutiny.

Exploring the Best Real Estate Schools for 2024

Fortune recently unveiled its list of the top real estate schools for 2024, a guide that promises to steer aspiring agents toward the most comprehensive programs available.

By |April 22, 2025|Categories: Article, Education, Real Estate|Tags: |0 Comments

Exploring the Best Online Real Estate Schools for April 2025

As the digital age continues to reshape education, the search for the best online real estate schools has become a priority for aspiring agents.

By |April 22, 2025|Categories: Article, Education, Real Estate|Tags: , |0 Comments