The best returns from the biggest funds
January 4, 2017 4:01 PM
There's strength in numbers.
More than half of the 20 biggest index funds achieved double-digit returns in 2016, too.
Leading the group is Franklin Income Fund, which gained 16.29% by the end of the year. Comparatively, the bond market, as gauged by the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond fund, remained flat in 2016. The large iShares fund had dividends, though, of about $2.40 per share.
Benefiting from investors seeking safe havens, bond funds added $274.4 billion in 2016, while $61.8 billion was withdrawn from stock funds, according to Lipper.
Dominating the list are offerings from American Funds. Its oldest fund — the Investment Company of America fund — is also its best performer.
Also from its growth and income category is its Washington Mutual Investors Fund. Funds from Vanguard, Fidelity and Metropolitan West round out the list.
Scroll through to see the best 2016 returns of the industry’s largest funds. All data from Morningstar.
More than half of the 20 biggest index funds achieved double-digit returns in 2016, too.
Leading the group is Franklin Income Fund, which gained 16.29% by the end of the year. Comparatively, the bond market, as gauged by the iShares Core US Aggregate Bond fund, remained flat in 2016. The large iShares fund had dividends, though, of about $2.40 per share.
Benefiting from investors seeking safe havens, bond funds added $274.4 billion in 2016, while $61.8 billion was withdrawn from stock funds, according to Lipper.
Dominating the list are offerings from American Funds. Its oldest fund — the Investment Company of America fund — is also its best performer.
Also from its growth and income category is its Washington Mutual Investors Fund. Funds from Vanguard, Fidelity and Metropolitan West round out the list.
Scroll through to see the best 2016 returns of the industry’s largest funds. All data from Morningstar.
20. American Funds Europacific Growth A (AEPGX)
2016 Return: 0.66%
3-Yr. Return: -0.94%
Expense Ratio: 0.83%
Fund assets (millions): $120,688
3-Yr. Return: -0.94%
Expense Ratio: 0.83%
Fund assets (millions): $120,688
19. Metropolitan West Total Return Bd M (MWTRX)
2016 Return: 2.33%
3-Yr. Return: 2.68%
Expense Ratio: 0.67%
Fund assets (millions): $78,572
3-Yr. Return: 2.68%
Expense Ratio: 0.67%
Fund assets (millions): $78,572
18. Vanguard Total Bond Market II Idx Inv (VTBIX)
2016 Return: 2.46%
3-Yr. Return: 2.86%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Fund assets (millions): $108,962
3-Yr. Return: 2.86%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Fund assets (millions): $108,962
17. Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Inv (VBMFX)
2016 Return: 2.51%
3-Yr. Return: 2.83%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $171,724
3-Yr. Return: 2.83%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $171,724
16. Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX)
2016 Return: 3.37%
3-Yr. Return: 6.43%
Expense Ratio: 0.71%
Fund assets (millions): $102,722
3-Yr. Return: 6.43%
Expense Ratio: 0.71%
Fund assets (millions): $102,722
15. Vanguard Total Intl Stock Index Inv (VGTSX)
2016 Return: 4.65%
3-Yr. Return: -1.41%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Fund assets (millions): $224,447
3-Yr. Return: -1.41%
Expense Ratio: 0.19%
Fund assets (millions): $224,447
14. American Funds Capital World Gr & Inc A (CWGIX)
2016 Return: 6.49%
3-Yr. Return: 2.71%
Expense Ratio: 0.77%
Fund assets (millions): $81,840
3-Yr. Return: 2.71%
Expense Ratio: 0.77%
Fund assets (millions): $81,840
13. American Funds Capital Income Bldr A (CAIBX)
2016 Return: 6.90%
3-Yr. Return: 3.43%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Fund assets (millions): $99,535
3-Yr. Return: 3.43%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Fund assets (millions): $99,535
12. American Funds Growth Fund of Amer A (AGTHX)
2016 Return: 8.46%
3-Yr. Return: 7.69%
Expense Ratio: 0.66%
Fund assets (millions): $146,038
3-Yr. Return: 7.69%
Expense Ratio: 0.66%
Fund assets (millions): $146,038
11. American Funds American Balanced A (ABALX)
2016 Return: 8.61%
3-Yr. Return: 6.34%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $101,238
3-Yr. Return: 6.34%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $101,238
10. American Funds Income Fund of Amer A (AMECX)
2016 Return: 10.58%
3-Yr. Return: 5.70%
Expense Ratio: 0.56%
Fund assets (millions): $101,822
3-Yr. Return: 5.70%
Expense Ratio: 0.56%
Fund assets (millions): $101,822
9. Vanguard Wellington Inv (VWELX)
2016 Return: 11.01%
3-Yr. Return: 6.85%
Expense Ratio: 0.26%
Fund assets (millions): $92,973
3-Yr. Return: 6.85%
Expense Ratio: 0.26%
Fund assets (millions): $92,973
8. Vanguard 500 Index Inv (VFINX)
2016 Return: 11.82%
3-Yr. Return: 8.72%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $271,345
3-Yr. Return: 8.72%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $271,345
7. Fidelity 500 Index Investor (FUSEX)
2016 Return: 11.87%
3-Yr. Return: 8.78%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Fund assets (millions): $109,233
3-Yr. Return: 8.78%
Expense Ratio: 0.09%
Fund assets (millions): $109,233
6. Vanguard Institutional Index I (VINIX)
2016 Return: 11.93%
3-Yr. Return: 8.85%
Expense Ratio: 0.04%
Fund assets (millions): $210,941
3-Yr. Return: 8.85%
Expense Ratio: 0.04%
Fund assets (millions): $210,941
5. Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
2016 Return: 12.53%
3-Yr. Return: 8.26%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $487,902
3-Yr. Return: 8.26%
Expense Ratio: 0.16%
Fund assets (millions): $487,902
4. American Funds Fundamental Invs A (ANCFX)
2016 Return: 12.54%
3-Yr. Return: 8.23%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Fund assets (millions): $79,818
3-Yr. Return: 8.23%
Expense Ratio: 0.60%
Fund assets (millions): $79,818
3. American Funds Washington Mutual A (AWSHX)
2016 Return: 13.31%
3-Yr. Return: 7.99%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $85,926
3-Yr. Return: 7.99%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $85,926
2. American Funds Invmt Co of Amer A (AIVSX)
2016 Return: 14.59%
3-Yr. Return: 8.18%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $79,994
3-Yr. Return: 8.18%
Expense Ratio: 0.58%
Fund assets (millions): $79,994
1. Franklin Income A (FKINX)
2016 Return: 16.29%
3-Yr. Return: 3.73%
Expense Ratio: 0.61%
Fund assets (millions): $79,293
3-Yr. Return: 3.73%
Expense Ratio: 0.61%
Fund assets (millions): $79,293
