The managers running the biggest active funds picked stocks that beat the market in 2025 — and most still lagged their benchmark. A Morningstar do-nothing experiment and a body of academic research explain why active funds underperform even when the picking is good: skilled buying undone by poor selling, the hidden cost of trading, and the incentives that keep managers churning. The UK evidence points the same way.
Moving beyond traditional passive investing requires systematic strategies to minimise hidden costs that can erode returns by hundreds of basis points. This guide examines advanced fund selection, strategic trading, and tax-efficient approaches. We explore how Timeline Portfolios demonstrates that systematic strategies justify advisory fees through superior execution, whether pursuing DIY factor investing or accessing providers like DFA.
TEBI
Jul 16, 20258 min read
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