How are Active Managers Beating the Market? By Taking More Risk.

Savita Subramanian’s group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch is out with an update on the state of actively managed mutual funds, noting that “44% of all managers outperformed” the Russell 1000 index of US large caps year to date. “Value managers had the highest hit rate of 77%, while 36% of Growth and 29% of Core managers beat their benchmarks.”

That’s a big jump over the 2014 disaster, thanks to the fact that all three preconditions for active management outperformance are back in place this year.

So how are actively managed funds getting the job done in 2015? Simple, they’re taking more risk than the benchmark.

For example, active managers are dipping into smaller capitalization stocks than the index holds and they’re also buying lower quality companies:

active

Josh here – In addition, the Equity and Quant Strategy group finds active managers currently owning more expensive stocks (on earnings yield and price/book), higher-beta (more volatile) stocks and stocks with lower dividend yields than the overall benchmark.

Whatever it takes?

Source:

What are your neighbors doing? 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch – June 22nd 2015

 

 

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web