Passive Funds

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21 Aug, 2024

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Passive funds refer to those investments where investors or stock selectors do not change their portfolios frequently. It also refers to those funds that mimic the returns of market indices, such as the S&P500, DJIA, etc. The main aim of such investments is to benefit from capital appreciation in investing for a long time.

The investment manager carefully chooses a set of investments for the investor but only spends a little bit of time analyzing and studying their investment or the market movements that can affect their assets. Thus, passive funds are the most appropriate for long-term investors.

What Are Passive Funds?

Passive funds definition refers to investments that are not continuously monitored for market fluctuations.
They mimic the performance of underlying market indices, providing investors with long-term capital appreciation and higher returns.
In contrast, actively managed funds require constant attention from fund managers.
Despite their advantages, index funds carry some risk, and investors should allocate a minimum amount of time and effort to achieve decent returns.

Passive Funds Explained

Passive funds, as the term implies, do not usually respond in the naturally expected way. For example, an investor is holding a stock. Due to some financial issues, the stock prices start plummeting. Most investors would pull out and try to minimize their losses. It is the natural response.

However, passive investors are not concerned with the constant surging and plunging market movements. Investors or investment managers rarely watch how their funds perform in the market. It is like planting a sapling and letting it grow into a tree to enjoy the shade and the fruits after years.

The majority of passive funds are index funds, often referred to as such. They replicate market index returns, allowing the underlying securities to appreciate gradually. While fund managers require less time and effort, fees are lower. Although risks remain constant, long-term investors stand a good chance of earning significant returns. To illustrate, consider the following scenarios.

Case 1: In 2010, an investor bought the stocks of Apple at $7. She still holds the stock, which has now appreciated to $153. She has made a gain by not worrying about the occasional slumps.
Case 2: In 2010, another investor bought the stock of General Motors at $34. In 2023, the stock trades at $42. An $8 gain over 13 years isn't something to be proud of.
Case 3: In 2000, an investor bought the shares of Enron at $70. Though the stock traded as high as $90 later in a matter of a few months, the shares plunged to $0.12 when the company declared bankruptcy and was shut down eventually.

These scenarios highlight passive fund disadvantages, emphasizing active funds' constant market monitoring and dynamic strategies for better returns. Regular reviews and in-depth research on the best passive funds can help reduce risks.

Examples

Let us refer to the examples given below to understand the concept better.

Example #1

Suppose George, an investor employing a passive strategy, entrusted his $1,000 investment to fund manager Dina. Dina, overseeing this investment in the S&P500 index, charges a monthly management fee of 0.13%. After two years, George's initial $1,000 has grown to $1,700. Despite the moderate gains so far, Dina has advised George to maintain his investment, expressing confidence in the substantial growth potential for the following year.

In conclusion, George's passive investment approach has yielded a satisfactory increase in his initial capital. Dina's optimism about future growth reflects the long-term benefits of passive funds, emphasizing their potential for steady, gradual returns.

Example #2

According to a recent projection by ISS Market Intelligence, the United States' long-term investment landscape is on the cusp of a significant transformation. It is anticipated that by 2027, index funds will command more than half of the market share, marking a 9% decline from the 2022 figures. This shift underscores the growing influence of passive investment strategies, particularly index funds, within the asset management industry.

This transition is underpinned by a consistent trend, where passive funds have been steadily channeling an average of $138 billion annually into mutual funds since 2015. Active managed funds experienced an annual outflow averaging $258 billion over the same period. Moreover, the data reveals that U.S. mutual funds saw a net outflow of $1 trillion in the previous year, reflecting investors' increasing preference for passive funds. This shift in the investment landscape highlights the enduring appeal of these funds and the evolving dynamics of the financial market.

Active Funds vs Passive Funds

Passive and active funds represent two fundamentally different investment approaches, each with its unique characteristics. Let's delve into the critical distinctions between them:

Basis	Active Funds	Passive Funds
Monitoring and Analysis	It is constantly monitored and analyzed.	It is monitored occasionally with less effort.
Management Fees	It has higher fees due to active management.	It has lower fees due to minimal management.
Investment Focus	It focuses on capital appreciation, ROI, etc.	It is primarily focused on capital gains.
Risk	It has comparable risk.	It has comparable risk with different responses.
Suitability for Investors	It is suitable for both short-term and long-term.	It is best for long-term investors.
Historical Trend	It has traditionally dominated the market.	It has been gaining ground since 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the big three passive funds?

The big three passive funds typically refer to the largest and most well-known index fund providers: Vanguard, BlackRock's iShares, and State Street Global Advisors' SPDRs. These firms offer a wide range of passive investment options, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds, covering various asset classes and market indices. Investors often choose from these providers due to their low-cost, diversified, and easy-to-access investment offerings.

2. Are passive funds safe?

Passive funds carry their own set of risks, such as the inability to adapt to changing market conditions and a lack of dynamic asset allocation. While they may not respond quickly to market trends, passive investors often benefit from steady, long-term gains. Safety in these funds comes from a well-diversified portfolio, which helps spread risk over a range of assets.

3. Is mutual fund passive?

No, mutual funds can be either passive or active. Passive mutual funds aim to replicate the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500 and typically have lower management fees. In contrast, active mutual funds are managed by professionals who actively select and manage a portfolio of securities in an effort to outperform the market.