The Art of Electronics

Abstract

Several recent studies suggest that equity mutual fund managers achieve superior returns and that considerable persistence in performance exists. Tbis 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 tbe aggregate, funds bave underperformed bencbmark portfo- lios 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, tbere was no consis- tency in fund returns during tbe 1980s.