Fund flows: Who's the big winner YTD?
December 13, 2017 3:52 PM
If advisors and investors vote with their wallets, then passive funds have won the financial elections of 2017. And there won’t be a recount.
We looked at the 20 largest net fund flows year-to-date; 12 were index funds. In money terms, though, passive won a more decisive victory: Index funds took in 80% of the $256 billion total that advisors and investors forked over to these 20 funds so far this year.
Consider the magnitude of these numbers. If $256 billion were one company’s revenue stream, it would rank #2 on the Fortune 500 — behind only Walmart. In fact, each of the top 16 fund flows are big enough that they would rank on the Fortune 500 individually, although many would be near the bottom of the list.
Scroll through to see the largest year-to-date net fund flows, as well as three-year annualized returns for each fund and expense ratios. All data from Morningstar.
We looked at the 20 largest net fund flows year-to-date; 12 were index funds. In money terms, though, passive won a more decisive victory: Index funds took in 80% of the $256 billion total that advisors and investors forked over to these 20 funds so far this year.
Consider the magnitude of these numbers. If $256 billion were one company’s revenue stream, it would rank #2 on the Fortune 500 — behind only Walmart. In fact, each of the top 16 fund flows are big enough that they would rank on the Fortune 500 individually, although many would be near the bottom of the list.
Scroll through to see the largest year-to-date net fund flows, as well as three-year annualized returns for each fund and expense ratios. All data from Morningstar.
20. Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Inv (VBISX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $4,808
3-Yr. Return: 1.09%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $51,069
3-Yr. Return: 1.09%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $51,069
19. Fidelity Total Bond (FTBFX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $4,994
3-Yr. Return: 3.22%
Expense Ratio: 0.45%
Total Assets (millions): $31,715
3-Yr. Return: 3.22%
Expense Ratio: 0.45%
Total Assets (millions): $31,715
18. Fidelity 500 Index Investor (FUSEX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,092
3-Yr. Return: 11.56%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Total Assets (millions): $136,827
3-Yr. Return: 11.56%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Total Assets (millions): $136,827
17. Vanguard Value Index Inv (VIVAX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,106
3-Yr. Return: 10.81%
Expense Ratio: 0.18%
Total Assets (millions): $63,566
3-Yr. Return: 10.81%
Expense Ratio: 0.18%
Total Assets (millions): $63,566
16. Vanguard Interm-Term Bond Index Inv (VBIIX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,155
3-Yr. Return: 2.54%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $34,560
3-Yr. Return: 2.54%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $34,560
15. Vanguard Interm-Term Tx-Ex Inv (VWITX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,157
3-Yr. Return: 2.45%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Total Assets (millions): $56,019
3-Yr. Return: 2.45%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Total Assets (millions): $56,019
14. Vanguard European Stock Index Investor (VEURX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,216
3-Yr. Return: 6.07%
Expense Ratio: 0.26%
Total Assets (millions): $18,176
3-Yr. Return: 6.07%
Expense Ratio: 0.26%
Total Assets (millions): $18,176
13. Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,217
3-Yr. Return: 3.03%
Expense Ratio: 0.43%
Total Assets (millions): $53,560
3-Yr. Return: 3.03%
Expense Ratio: 0.43%
Total Assets (millions): $53,560
12. Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Inv (VFSTX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,280
3-Yr. Return: 1.92%
Expense Ratio: 0.20%
Total Assets (millions): $64,098
3-Yr. Return: 1.92%
Expense Ratio: 0.20%
Total Assets (millions): $64,098
11. Strategic Advisers Core Income (FPCIX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $5,438
3-Yr. Return: 2.97%
Expense Ratio: 0.45%
Total Assets (millions): $35,525
3-Yr. Return: 2.97%
Expense Ratio: 0.45%
Total Assets (millions): $35,525
10. Fidelity US Bond Index Investor (FBIDX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $6,730
3-Yr. Return: 2.05%
Expense Ratio: 0.14%
Total Assets (millions): $34,615
3-Yr. Return: 2.05%
Expense Ratio: 0.14%
Total Assets (millions): $34,615
9. American Funds American Balanced A (ABALX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $7,597
3-Yr. Return: 8.39%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Total Assets (millions): $123,185
3-Yr. Return: 8.39%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Total Assets (millions): $123,185
8. Prudential Total Return Bond A (PDBAX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $8,573
3-Yr. Return: 3.46%
Expense Ratio: 0.76%
Total Assets (millions): $29,480
3-Yr. Return: 3.46%
Expense Ratio: 0.76%
Total Assets (millions): $29,480
7. Oakmark International Investor (OAKIX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $8,836
3-Yr. Return: 9.55%
Expense Ratio: 1.00%
Total Assets (millions): $42,170
3-Yr. Return: 9.55%
Expense Ratio: 1.00%
Total Assets (millions): $42,170
6. Vanguard Emerging Mkts Stock Idx Inv (VEIEX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $11,916
3-Yr. Return: 6.46%
Expense Ratio: 0.32%
Total Assets (millions): $89,216
3-Yr. Return: 6.46%
Expense Ratio: 0.32%
Total Assets (millions): $89,216
5. Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Inv (VBMFX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $17,073
3-Yr. Return: 2.08%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $193,321
3-Yr. Return: 2.08%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $193,321
4. Vanguard Developed Markets Index Admiral (VTMGX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $19,693
3-Yr. Return: 7.84%
Expense Ratio: 0.07%
Total Assets (millions): $104,114
3-Yr. Return: 7.84%
Expense Ratio: 0.07%
Total Assets (millions): $104,114
3. Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index Inv (VGTSX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $29,188
3-Yr. Return: 7.54%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Total Assets (millions): $321,185
3-Yr. Return: 7.54%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Total Assets (millions): $321,185
2. Vanguard 500 Index Investor (VFINX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $40,837
3-Yr. Return: 11.50%
Expense Ratio: 0.14%
Total Assets (millions): $383,897
3-Yr. Return: 11.50%
Expense Ratio: 0.14%
Total Assets (millions): $383,897
1. Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
YTD Net Flows (millions): $54,525
3-Yr. Return: 11.27%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $656,961
3-Yr. Return: 11.27%
Expense Ratio: 0.15%
Total Assets (millions): $656,961
