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Properly measured, the average actively managed dollar…

“Properly measured, the average actively managed dollar must underperform the average passively managed dollar, net of costs. Empirical analyses that appear to refute this principle are guilty of improper measurement.” quote by William Forsyth Sharpe
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“Properly measured, the average actively managed dollar must underperform the average passively managed dollar, net of costs. Empirical analyses that appear to refute this principle are guilty of improper measurement.”

William Forsyth Sharpe

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Active funds, after fees, usually lag passive benchmarks; faulty studies mismeasure performance.

In simple terms: Active funds underperform after costs.

Key Takeaway

Prefer low‑cost passive investing.

Themes

finance investing performance costs

Mood

analytical critical

Type

advisory educational

When to use this quote

  • retirement planning
  • portfolio selection
  • advisor recommendations

Key Concepts

efficiency measurement bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do fees impact long‑term returns?
  • When might active management add value?
A Different Perspective

Passive may not suit all market conditions or investor needs.

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