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.
If you're looking for an edge as an investor, you're not alone. Many people spend their time chasing the latest stock tip or trying to time the market. But what really sets successful investors apart is not secret information or complicated strategies. It is the ability to manage their own behaviour, especially in times of uncertainty. Your investment choices do matter. But the decisions you make about when to act, when to stay patient, and how to respond to market movements
Robin Powell
Feb 24, 20254 min read
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