Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI (2024)

Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI (1)

By TIM EDWARDS

30 years ago, Bill Clinton was getting ready for his inauguration as the 42ndU.S. president, theS&P 500closed a little over 430 and the latest edition ofBusiness Weekwas trumpeting that 1993 would be “The Year of Picking Wisely” in the stock market. Meanwhile, a different kind of security was about to make its revolutionary debut on the New York Stock Exchange; one that would make it possible to trade a whole index-worth of stocks, all at once.

On January 29, 2023, the world’s longest-surviving exchange-traded fund — initially known as the Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipt or by the acronym SPDR (the “Spider”) — will celebrate 30 years since it began trading. Now among the largest funds in the world, and on some days the most heavily traded security anywhere, we mark the anniversary with a one-off special edition of our SPIVAanalysis, covering the 29-and-a-bit years since that launch.

Exhibit 1 compares the performance of actively managed U.S. equity mutual funds over the nearly 30-year period, using the same analytical engines and data sources as our regularSPIVA U.S. Scorecardsand based on the nearest quarter ends. Statistics for the U.S. large-cap core category and all domestic U.S. equity active funds are highlighted.

Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI (2)

The figures tell a remarkable story. Over the full period, just 2% of actively managed Large-Cap Core funds beat the S&P 500. Even in categories such as small- and mid-sized stocks, and growth — which benefited from the tailwinds of an outperforming universe — a minimum of 81% of actively managed funds underperformed the benchmark. Overall, across all categories, 90% of actively managed funds underperformed the S&P 500.

The higher fees typically charged by actively managed fundsmay be part of the reasonthat so many funds underperformed, althoughother factors may have also been at play. Index funds and ETFs charge fees too, but the results of Exhibit 1 wouldnot be significantly altered when accounting for them. Even among surviving funds — which we might well suppose generally performed better — 57% of domestic funds underperformed the S&P 500 by more than a percentage point per year. To illustrate the range of returns, Exhibit 2 plots the distribution of annualized returns for all the actively managed domestic equity funds that survived to post a full-period return. It also shows the breakdown of fund survivorship. For reference, the “Spider” had an initial fee of 0.2% annually (it was later reduced to just under 0.1%).

Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI (3)

Investing in an index tracker was seen (by some) as an admission of defeat back in early 1993. At best, an index fund was “settling for average”. But, as it turns out, a portfolio approximately replicating the S&P 500’s return would have been emphatically aboveaverage since then. For the Spider that spun such silk, I hope you’ll join the S&P DJI team in wishing it a very happy 30thbirthday.

Dr TIM EDWARDS is Managing Director, Index Investment Strategy, at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
This article was first published on the Indexology blog.
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Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI (2024)

FAQs

What is the S&P 500 performance since 1993? ›

Stock market returns since 1993

This is a return on investment of 1,641.77%, or 9.85% per year. This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 727.57% cumulatively, or 7.19% per year.

What percent of S&P 500 is large-cap? ›

As of August 31, 2022, the nine largest companies on the list of S&P 500 companies accounted for 27.8% of the market capitalization of the index and were, in order of highest to lowest weighting: Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (including both class A & C shares), Amazon.com, Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, UnitedHealth Group, ...

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.

How much would $10000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1980 be worth today? ›

Think about this: If you invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 at the start of 1980 and left the money untouched until 2022, you'd have accumulated nearly $1.1 million by the end of last year, according to the Hartford Funds. The S&P 500 has an annualized total return of more than 12% over the last decade.

Has the S&P 500 ever lost money over a 10 year period? ›

The term “Lost Decade for Stocks” refers to the ten-year period from 12/31/1999 through 12/31/2009, when the S&P 500® generated an annualized total return of -0.9% over the period. This was only the second time that the market actually had a negative total return over a decade period.

What is the return of the S&P 500 over the last 30 years? ›

Stock market returns since 1930

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1930, you would have about $590,042.12 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 589,942.12%, or 9.74% per year.

Is the S&P 500 considered large-cap? ›

Both the S&P 500® and the Russell 1000® indexes are large-cap, while the Russell 2000® indexes are small-cap.

Is the S&P 500 a large-cap fund? ›

The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) and the Russell 1000 Index both track stocks of publicly traded companies and are both considered large-cap stock indices.

Is the S&P 500 made up of large-cap stocks? ›

Another key difference is that while the S&P 500 consists of large-cap stocks, the Nasdaq Composite contains all qualified stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

What percentage beat S&P 500? ›

Just 2% of large-cap core funds have beaten the S&P 500 since 1993 | TEBI.

What percentage of funds outperform the S&P 500? ›

Data shows that only 1 out of 10 large-cap, midcap, and small-cap growth managers outperformed their respective benchmarks. Across nine U.S. style categories, large-cap value managers performed the best over the 10-year horizon, with 32% of managers outperforming the benchmark, the S&P 500 Value.

Has the S&P 500 ever lost money? ›

Since its inception in 1957, there have only been two occasions in which the S&P 500 fell for two (or more) consecutive years. The index posted back-to-back declines in 1973 and 1974, and it fell for three consecutive years between 2000 and 2002.

How much will $10,000 be worth in 30 years? ›

Over the years, that money can really add up: If you kept that money in a retirement account over 30 years and earned that average 6% return, for example, your $10,000 would grow to more than $57,000.

How much would $10000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1992? ›

If you had invested $10,000 in the S&P 500 index in 1992 and held on with dividends reinvested, you'd now have more than $170,000.

How much is $10,000 invested in Apple 20 years ago? ›

As a result, $10,000 in AAPL stock purchased 20 years ago would be worth about $7.51 million today, assuming reinvested dividends.

Can S&P 500 go to zero? ›

And while theoretically possible, the entire US stock market going to zero would be incredibly unlikely. It would, in fact, take a catastrophic event involving the total dissolution of the US government and economic system for this to occur.

What was the worst stock market return over 30 years? ›

The lowest annual return over any 30 year period going back to 1926 was 7.8%. That's what you got had you invested at the peak of the Roaring 20s boom in September 1929.

What if I invested $100 in S&P 500 in 2010? ›

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 2010, you would have about $487.75 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 387.75%, or 12.54% per year.

What is the lifetime average return of the S&P 500? ›

The index acts as a benchmark of the performance of the U.S. stock market overall, dating back to the 1920s. The index has returned a historic annualized average return of around 11.88% since its 1957 inception through the end of 2021.

How much would $8 000 invested in the S&P 500 in 1980 be worth today? ›

Comparison to S&P 500 Index

To help put this inflation into perspective, if we had invested $8,000 in the S&P 500 index in 1980, our investment would be nominally worth approximately $912,320.82 in 2023.

What is the rolling 10 year average return S&P 500? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 10 Year Return is at 156.3%, compared to 161.0% last month and 215.4% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 112.6%.

Is Vanguard large-cap better than S&P 500? ›

Vanguard's Large Cap Index is a little more diversified than the S&P 500, with 582 holdings. Not all S&P 500 companies are included in Vanguard's Large Cap Index, as some are too small to be included. Historically, Vanguard's Large Cap Index has outperformed the S&P 500.

What is the highest S&P index ever recorded? ›

January 3, 2022: The S&P 500 index closed at a record high of 4796.56. As of June 15th, 2023 this record all time high still stands.

Does the S&P 500 outperform the total market? ›

Total stock market index funds are only slightly more diversified than S&P 500 index funds. Since both types of indexes are heavily weighted toward large-cap stocks, the performance of the two funds is highly correlated (similar).

How risky are large-cap funds? ›

Large-cap stocks usually belong to large, established companies and are safer investments than small- or mid-cap stocks. Since large-cap companies are so large, they are less likely to encounter situations that force them to completely cease operations.

How many companies fall under large-cap fund? ›

The top 100 companies are categorised as large cap companies. Mutual funds that invest in the stocks of these large cap companies are categorised as large cap funds.

Should I only invest in large-cap funds? ›

In general, Investors should diversify their investments across market caps. Investors with long investment horizons like 10 years and above and higher risk appetite can consider some allocation in small caps but for an investment horizon of 5-7 years, large-cap funds will be more suitable.

Do small caps outperform large caps? ›

Small caps strongly outperformed through the R&R phase across every region we tested. And our findings chime with the broad body of academic research which finds small high quality companies significantly outperform their large cap equivalents over all variety of economic conditions and time periods.

What percentage of the US stock market is large-cap? ›

Index Size Classifications
Category% of total market capitalization
Large cap70%
Mid cap15%
Small cap14%
Micro cap1%
1 more row
Feb 21, 2019

Should I invest all my money in S&P 500? ›

Legendary investor Warren Buffet once said that all it takes to make money as an investor is to 'consistently buy an S&P 500 low-cost index fund. ' And academic research tends to agree that the S&P 500 is a good investment in the long term, despite occasional drawdowns.

Does Warren Buffett outperform the S&P 500? ›

Berkshire has a history of outperforming the S&P 500 during recessions, and performing especially well during bear markets, according to data from Bespoke Investment Group. Since 1980, Berkshire shares have beat the broader market over the course of six recessions by a median of 4.41 percentage points.

Why is it so hard to beat the S&P 500? ›

A prime reason is that the skewed pattern of market returns stacks the odds against investors. Typically, a few high-performing stocks pull the average up, while the majority of stocks under-perform. Thus, buying and owning a few individual stocks will usually lead to poor performance.

Which Fidelity funds beat the S&P? ›

On average, the Fidelity Contrafund has beaten the S&P 500 Index by 2.41% per year. Growth of $10,000 invested in Contrafund versus S&P 500 Index, September 17, 1990 to March 31, 2023. Total value March 31, 2023 for Contrafund was $509,991, compared to $252,113 for the S&P 500 Index.

Does American funds outperform the S&P 500? ›

Over rolling monthly 10-year periods through 2022, the fund has frequently outpaced the S&P 500 and its peer average.

What percentage of funds beat the index? ›

According to an analysis by advisory company Strategas Securities, 62% of active large-company “core” funds—those that buy a mix of growth and value stocks—beat the market.

What investments have outperformed the S&P 500? ›

US funds that have consistently beaten the S&P 500 index
FundSeven-year returnOne-year return
Morgan Stanley US Advantage371%56.5%
T. Rowe Price US Large Cap Growth Equity312%39.8%
T. Rowe Price US Blue Chip Equity291%33.3%
UBS US Growth271%37.7%
21 more rows
Apr 28, 2021

Who got kicked out of S&P 500? ›

The S&P 500 booted electric vehicle maker Tesla from its ESG Index as part of an annual update to the list. Meanwhile, Apple , Microsoft , Amazon and even oil and gas multinational Exxon Mobil were still included on the list.

What percentage has the S&P lost? ›

A year of losses for the S&P 500

The top index of US stocks hit an all-time high in January 2022. It was downhill from there. The S&P 500 lost 19.4% over the past 12 months, notching its worst year since 2008.

What was the biggest S&P 500 declines? ›

Largest daily percentage losses
RankDateNet Change
11987-10-19−57.86
21929-10-28−3.20
32020-03-16−324.89
41929-10-29−2.31
16 more rows

How much will $1 million dollars be worth in 10 years? ›

That would translate into $5,000 of interest on one million dollars after a year of monthly compounding. The 10-year earnings would be $51,140.13. The rates on both traditional and high-interest savings accounts are variable, which means the rates can go up or down over time.

What will $1,000,000 be worth in 35 years? ›

In 35 years, a million-dollar portfolio, will result in in an annual income of around $60,000, Ardrey said, which in purchasing power terms, will be closer to $30,000 a year.

How much will $5,000 dollars be worth in 20 years? ›

Answer and Explanation: The calculated present worth of $5,000 due in 20 years is $1,884.45.

How much would I have if I invested in S&P 500 in 1990? ›

S&P 500: $100 in 1990 → $2,455.08 in 2023

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 955.08% cumulatively, or 7.31% per year. If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $2,282.30.

What would $100 invested in S&P 500? ›

The nominal return on investment of $100 is $25,499.51, or 25,499.51%. This means by 2023 you would have $25,599.51 in your pocket.

How much would 1000 invested in Apple in 1980 be worth today? ›

Since Apple stock trades at $126.36 today, that translates to a return of 126,360%. In other words, that $1,000 investment in 1980 would be worth more than $1.26 million today!

What would $1000 invested in Apple in 1984 be worth today? ›

23, 1984). A $1,000 investment could have purchased 7,692.31 shares of AAPL at the time. The $1,000 investment in AAPL shares would be worth $1,162,615.73 today, based on a price of $151.01 for Apple stock at the time of writing.

How much would $10000 in Apple stock at its IPO in 1980 be worth today? ›

Apple went public in December 1980 with its IPO priced at a pre-split price of $22 per share. A $10,000 invested in Apple back then would now be worth more than $1.6 million.

What is the S&P 500 total return since inception? ›

Stock market returns since 1926

If you invested $100 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1926, you would have about $1,205,148.19 at the end of 2023, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 1,205,048.19%, or 10.13% per year.

What is the average S&P 500 return over 25 years? ›

The index acts as a benchmark of the performance of the U.S. stock market overall, dating back to the 1920s. The index has returned a historic annualized average return of around 11.88% since its 1957 inception through the end of 2021.

What is the return of the S&P 500 over the last 10 years? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 10 Year Return is at 156.3%, compared to 161.0% last month and 215.4% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 112.6%.

What is the S&P 500 historical return per year? ›

S&P 500 Annual Total Return is at -18.11%, compared to 28.71% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 9.29%. The S&P 500 Annual Total Return is the investment return received each year, including dividends, when holding the S&P 500 index.

What is the S&P 500 last 20 years return? ›

Stock Market Average Yearly Return for the Last 20 Years

The historical average yearly return of the S&P 500 is 10.05% over the last 20 years, as of the end of April 2023. This assumes dividends are reinvested. Adjusted for inflation, the 20-year average stock market return (including dividends) is 7.335%.

What is the average stock market return over 30 years? ›

10-year, 30-year, and 50-year average stock market returns
PeriodAnnualized Return (Nominal)$1 Becomes... (Adjusted for Inflation)
10 years (2012-2021)14.8%$3.06
30 years (1992-2021)9.9%$5.65
50 years (1972-2021)9.4%$6.88

What is the average return on the S&P 500 over the last 75 years? ›

Stock market returns since 1965

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 2,551.47% cumulatively, or 5.77% per year.

What is the average return of the S&P 500 after a recession? ›

Sources: Bloomberg, NBER. On average, S&P 500 earnings decline 16.4% in recession. Notably in two of the last ten recessions, there was no decline in index earnings.

How much was $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2000? ›

$10,000 invested in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 2000 would have grown to $32,527 over 20 years — an average return of 6.07% per year.

What is the real return of the S&P? ›

The average stock market return is about 10% per year, as measured by the S&P 500 index. In some years, the market returns more than that, and in other years, it returns less. The S&P 500 index comprises about 500 of America's largest publicly traded companies and is a benchmark for annual returns.

What is the average stock market return over 40 years? ›

Here's a sample breakdown of stock market returns over time, assuming you invested $100 at the beginning of the time period listed: 40 Years (1982 – 2022): 11.6% annual return. 30 Years (1992 – 2022): 9.64% annual return. 20 Years (2002 – 2022): 8.14% annual return.

What is the S&P 500 2 year return? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 2 Year Return is at -0.58%, compared to -0.28% last month and 35.73% last year.

What is the average investor return compared to the S&P 500? ›

However in 2021, the average equity fund investor finished the year with a return of 18.39% versus an S&P 500 return of 28.71%; an investor return gap of 10.32%. This gap was the third largest annual gap since 1985, when the Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior (QAIB) analysis began.

Is S&P 500 adjusted for inflation? ›

Historical data is inflation-adjusted using the headline CPI and each data point represents the month-end closing value. The current month is updated on an hourly basis with today's latest value. The current price of the S&P 500 as of June 27, 2023 is 4,378.41.

What is the average monthly return of the S&P 500? ›

Basic Info. S&P 500 Monthly Return is at 0.25%, compared to 1.46% last month and 0.01% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 0.50%. The S&P 500 Monthly Return is the investment return received each month, excluding dividends, when holding the S&P 500 index.

Which S&P 500 fund is best? ›

Our Top Picks for the Best S&P 500 Index Funds
  • Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX)
  • Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX)
  • Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX)
May 12, 2023

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