Data released by S&P Dow Jones Indices on Monday showed 60.2% of U.S. domestic equity mutual funds failed to outperform their benchmark for the year ended June 30. The number jumps even higher over longer time periods, with 85.9% and 73.6% of domestic funds trailing their benchmarks over three- and five-year periods, respectively.
S&P says the past five years have been challenging for active managers, as domestic equity markets have risen and volatility has fallen.
Active international managers also struggled in the past year, with 74.9% of international equity and 70% of global equity managers underperforming their indexes.