Pros and cons of passive management
Managers of passive mutual funds and exchange-traded funds strive to mirror the return of a particular index — nothing more, nothing less. In passively managed funds, buy and sell decisions are based purely on the contents of the underlying index, not on research.
But because passive fund managers make no active decisions, this results in less trading. The diminished amount of trading both increases tax efficiency and reduces fund expenses. And as more dollars funnel into the ETF market, economies of scale kick in, making these funds even cheaper for us to own. But for as quickly as the 20-year-old ETF market has grown, only 3% of U.S. households own an ETF.
So when might I consider an ETF?
Many studies have tried to conclude whether active or passive management styles outperform over time. These studies indicate that asset class can often influence performance results. For example, for large and relatively efficient asset classes, like large-cap stocks and investment-grade bonds, it may be tougher for an active fund manager to outdo an index. This certainly doesn’t mean active managers can’t outperform the index they’re stacked up against. It just means that the environment for doing so is more challenging in these well-established asset classes.
For these asset classes, investing in passively managed funds may be beneficial. Some large-cap equity ETFs to consider include Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEARCA:VTI) and State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT)‘s SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY), the world’s largest ETF . Both provide inexpensive alternatives to participate in the overall stock market. For investment-grade fixed income, consider Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NYSEARCA:BND) to add plain-vanilla bond exposure to your portfolio.
When not to invest passively
On the other hand, active managers and individual investors willing to conduct a deep-dive analysis have a great opportunity to outperform in less-efficient asset classes, like international, mid-cap, and small-cap equities. If you’re a do-it-for-me investor, consider going with actively managed funds for these asset classes. Or, if you’re a do-it-yourself investor, this is a prime opportunity to research and select great stocks to augment your portfolio.
Start by studying what stocks savvy investors are buying and why. For example, billionaire and money manager Ken Fisher recently added Darling International Inc. (NYSE:DAR) to his hedge fund. The Texas-based company provides recovery and recycling services of cooking oil for the food industry. Darling faces lower finished product prices that may dampen earnings, but its biodiesel joint venture with Valero Energy shows real promise. Our Motley Fool CAPS community also likes the stock and gives it a five-star (out of five) rating.
And look no further than our own Motley Fool co-founder David Gardner for some sensational ideas. He recently extolled the virtues of 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) and Stratasys, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SSYS), pioneers in the disruptive 3-D printing technology. The World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies recently named this technology one of the most promising trends of 2013. As it’s still in its infancy, David feels that 3-D printing is analogous to the Internet 15 years ago.
Foolish bottom line
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all perfect investment. And there’s no perfect answer for how to structure your portfolio. Both active and passive management can play critical roles. But the first step in crafting your portfolio is evaluating what you want from your investments and prioritizing what’s most important to you.
Sure, there’s no perfect investment. But 3D Systems is getting lots of praise these days. It’s at the leading edge of a disruptive technological revolution, with the broadest portfolio of 3-D printers in the industry. But despite years of earnings growth, 3D Systems’ share price has risen even faster, and today the company sports a dizzying valuation. To help investors decide whether the future of additive manufacturing is bright enough to justify the lofty price tag on the company’s shares, The Motley Fool has compiled a premium research report on whether 3D Systems is a buy right now. In our report, we take a close look at 3D Systems’ opportunities, risks, and critical factors for growth. You’ll also find reasons to buy or sell, and receive a full year of analyst updates with the report. To start reading, simply click here now for instant access.
The article When You Shouldn’t Consider Passive Management originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Nicole Seghetti.
Fool contributor Nicole Seghetti has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems, Darling International, and Stratasys. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems, Darling International, and Stratasys and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $55 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $30 Puts on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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