Returns from Investing in Equity Mutual Funds 1971 to 1991

TLDR

Equity mutual fund managers have been reported to achieve superior returns with notable persistence. The study aims to more precisely assess fund performance and the impact of survivorship bias. It employs a unique dataset that includes returns from all equity mutual funds existing each year. Funds underperformed benchmark portfolios both net and gross of expenses, survivorship bias proved more significant than earlier estimates, and performance persistence observed in the 1970s dissipated during the 1980s.

Abstract

Several recent studies suggest that equity mutual fund managers achieve superior returns and that considerable persistence in performance exists. This study utilizes a unique data set including returns from all equity mutual funds existing each year. These data enable us more precisely to examine performance and the extent of survivorship bias. In the aggregate, funds have underperformed benchmark portfolios both after management expenses and even gross of expenses. Survivorship bias appears to be more important than other studies have estimated. Moreover, while considerable performance persistence existed during the 1970s, there was no consistency in fund returns during the 1980s.