GITNUX REPORT 2024

Global Mutual Fund Statistics: $52.8 Trillion AUM, Vanguard Dominates

Unlocking the World of Mutual Funds: Insights into Trillion-Dollar Assets, Returns, and Investor Trends.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The average expense ratio for actively managed mutual funds is 0.82%.

Statistic 2

The average mutual fund will distribute capital gains to shareholders once a year.

Statistic 3

The average annual expense ratio for passively managed index funds is 0.07%.

Statistic 4

The average 5-year return for emerging market equity mutual funds is 7.6%.

Statistic 5

The average mutual fund expense ratio for target-date funds is 0.75%.

Statistic 6

Only 24% of actively managed funds have outperformed their benchmarks over the past 15 years.

Statistic 7

The average mutual fund investor holds their investment for 3.3 years.

Statistic 8

The average expense ratio for mutual funds in the U.S. is 0.68%.

Statistic 9

Index mutual funds typically have lower turnover rates compared to actively managed funds.

Statistic 10

The average expense ratio for U.S. equity mutual funds is 0.68%.

Statistic 11

The average mutual fund turnover rate increased to 61% in 2020.

Statistic 12

The average annual fee for a U.S. small-cap mutual fund is 1.01%.

Statistic 13

The average expense ratio for ESG-focused mutual funds is 0.56% in the U.S.

Statistic 14

The average expense ratio for actively managed U.S. mutual funds is 0.65%.

Statistic 15

The average turnover rate for actively managed U.S. mutual funds is 70%.

Statistic 16

The average management fee for mutual funds globally is 1.25%.

Statistic 17

The average annual return for global equity mutual funds over the past 10 years is 7.4%.

Statistic 18

The average expense ratio for bond mutual funds is 0.48% in the U.S.

Statistic 19

The average expense ratio for international equity mutual funds is 1.03%.

Statistic 20

The total global assets under management in mutual funds reached $52.796 trillion in 2020.

Statistic 21

The top three mutual fund managers (Vanguard, BlackRock, Fidelity) collectively manage over $7 trillion in assets.

Statistic 22

55% of global mutual fund assets are held in equity funds.

Statistic 23

43% of global mutual fund assets are invested in fixed-income funds.

Statistic 24

In 2020, passive mutual funds outperformed active funds by an average of 2.5%.

Statistic 25

The global mutual fund industry experienced an 8% growth in assets under management in 2021.

Statistic 26

Over 70% of global mutual fund investors consider the fund's performance history before investing.

Statistic 27

Mutual funds in Canada had a total of $2.1 trillion in assets under management as of 2021.

Statistic 28

Over 30% of global mutual fund assets are held in money market funds.

Statistic 29

The largest mutual fund by assets under management is Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund with $379.2 billion.

Statistic 30

In 2021, the top-performing mutual fund was the Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund with a return of 53%.

Statistic 31

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw net inflows of $477 billion in 2020, surpassing mutual funds net inflows of $244 billion.

Statistic 32

The global mutual fund industry experienced net inflows of $1.4 trillion in 2020.

Statistic 33

The top three mutual funds with the largest net inflows in 2021 were Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund, and Fidelity 500 Index Fund.

Statistic 34

Global net inflows into ESG-focused mutual funds reached $71 billion in 2020.

Statistic 35

Alternative mutual funds saw a net inflow of $27 billion in 2020, despite market uncertainty.

Statistic 36

European mutual funds attracted €535 billion in net inflows in 2020, driven by a renewed interest in equities.

Statistic 37

The global mutual fund industry saw net inflows of $1.7 trillion in 2021.

Statistic 38

The top three mutual fund companies in terms of net inflows in 2021 were Vanguard, BlackRock, and PIMCO.

Statistic 39

Sustainable investing mutual funds attracted $51 billion in net flows globally in 2020.

Statistic 40

In 2021, ESG-focused mutual funds saw net inflows of $185 billion.

Statistic 41

Cryptocurrency mutual funds saw net inflows of $6.3 billion in 2021.

Statistic 42

Mutual funds in the U.S. had a total of $18.4 trillion in assets under management as of Q2 2021.

Statistic 43

The average 10-year annual return for U.S. stock mutual funds is around 13%.

Statistic 44

77% of 401(k) retirement plans offer mutual funds as investment options.

Statistic 45

Bond mutual funds saw net inflows of $277 billion in 2020, driven by investors seeking safety.

Statistic 46

Over 100 million individual investors in the U.S. own mutual funds.

Statistic 47

65% of mutual funds in the U.S. are actively managed.

Statistic 48

90% of U.S. mutual funds have exposure to international equities.

Statistic 49

The average holding period for mutual fund investors is around 3-5 years.

Statistic 50

42% of U.S. households own mutual funds.

Statistic 51

The top-performing mutual fund in 2020 was the Alger Small Cap Focus Fund with a 112% return.

Statistic 52

80% of all 529 college savings plans offer mutual funds as an investment choice.

Statistic 53

In 2020, mutual funds in the U.S. paid out $462 billion in dividends to investors.

Statistic 54

The top mutual fund with the highest year-to-date return in 2021 was Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund, with a 66.5% return.

Statistic 55

Approximately 45% of U.S. households own mutual funds in their retirement accounts.

Statistic 56

Target-date retirement funds account for over 15% of total mutual fund assets in the U.S.

Statistic 57

Mutual funds account for over 25% of the total U.S. household financial assets.

Statistic 58

37% of mutual funds in the U.S. are invested in international equities.

Statistic 59

The top three best-performing mutual funds over the last 10 years were Ark Innovation ETF, Matthews India, and T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund.

Statistic 60

65% of pre-retirees have saved for retirement using mutual funds.

Statistic 61

Over 800 new mutual funds were launched globally in 2020.

Statistic 62

The mutual fund industry employs over 113,000 people in the U.S.

Statistic 63

23% of U.S. millennials own mutual funds in their investment portfolios.

Statistic 64

The top three mutual fund families by total assets under management are Vanguard, BlackRock, and Fidelity.

Statistic 65

68% of U.S. mutual funds are held by institutional investors.

Statistic 66

Mutual funds held approximately 24% of the $29 trillion in total U.S. retirement assets in 2020.

Statistic 67

The number of mutual funds globally surpassed 120,000 in 2021.

Statistic 68

Over 80% of U.S. households report owning shares of mutual funds.

Statistic 69

The average annual return for U.S. equity mutual funds over the past 20 years is 6.95%.

Statistic 70

The average duration of holding mutual funds by Baby Boomers is 8 years.

Statistic 71

In 2021, the percentage of retail investors in mutual funds stood at 45% of total assets under management.

Statistic 72

60% of female investors in the U.S. prefer investing in mutual funds for long-term financial goals.

Statistic 73

The top three fund families with the most assets under management are Vanguard, Fidelity, and American Funds.

Statistic 74

In 2021, the total net assets of mutual funds in Asia reached $8.8 trillion.

Statistic 75

Over 70% of financial advisors recommend mutual funds to their clients for investment purposes.

Statistic 76

Retail investors hold over 60% of all mutual fund assets in Europe.

Statistic 77

Around 40% of mutual funds in the U.S. are invested in domestic equities.

Statistic 78

25% of U.S. mutual fund investors have held their investments for over 10 years.

Statistic 79

The majority of 529 college savings plans offer mutual funds as investment options.

Statistic 80

The top-performing Small-Cap Value mutual fund in 2021 had a return of 57%.

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Summary

  • The total global assets under management in mutual funds reached $52.796 trillion in 2020.
  • The largest mutual fund by assets under management is Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund with $379.2 billion.
  • The average expense ratio for actively managed mutual funds is 0.82%.
  • Mutual funds in the U.S. had a total of $18.4 trillion in assets under management as of Q2 2021.
  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw net inflows of $477 billion in 2020, surpassing mutual funds net inflows of $244 billion.
  • The average 10-year annual return for U.S. stock mutual funds is around 13%.
  • 77% of 401(k) retirement plans offer mutual funds as investment options.
  • Bond mutual funds saw net inflows of $277 billion in 2020, driven by investors seeking safety.
  • The average mutual fund will distribute capital gains to shareholders once a year.
  • The top three mutual fund managers (Vanguard, BlackRock, Fidelity) collectively manage over $7 trillion in assets.
  • Over 100 million individual investors in the U.S. own mutual funds.
  • 65% of mutual funds in the U.S. are actively managed.
  • 90% of U.S. mutual funds have exposure to international equities.
  • The average annual expense ratio for passively managed index funds is 0.07%.
  • The average holding period for mutual fund investors is around 3-5 years.

With a whopping $52.796 trillion swirling around the global mutual fund market in 2020, its clear that investing in relationships has never been more lucrative! From the heavyweight champ Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund flexing its $379.2 billion muscles to the average investor enjoying a 13% annual return dance with U.S. stock mutual funds, the mutual fund arena offers a thrilling financial tango. So, grab your dancing shoes and lets waltz through the dazzling statistics of the mutual fund universe, where even the expenses cant dampen the allure of potential gains!

Average Expense Ratio for Actively Managed Funds

  • The average expense ratio for actively managed mutual funds is 0.82%.
  • The average mutual fund will distribute capital gains to shareholders once a year.
  • The average annual expense ratio for passively managed index funds is 0.07%.
  • The average 5-year return for emerging market equity mutual funds is 7.6%.
  • The average mutual fund expense ratio for target-date funds is 0.75%.
  • Only 24% of actively managed funds have outperformed their benchmarks over the past 15 years.
  • The average mutual fund investor holds their investment for 3.3 years.
  • The average expense ratio for mutual funds in the U.S. is 0.68%.
  • Index mutual funds typically have lower turnover rates compared to actively managed funds.
  • The average expense ratio for U.S. equity mutual funds is 0.68%.
  • The average mutual fund turnover rate increased to 61% in 2020.
  • The average annual fee for a U.S. small-cap mutual fund is 1.01%.
  • The average expense ratio for ESG-focused mutual funds is 0.56% in the U.S.
  • The average expense ratio for actively managed U.S. mutual funds is 0.65%.
  • The average turnover rate for actively managed U.S. mutual funds is 70%.
  • The average management fee for mutual funds globally is 1.25%.
  • The average annual return for global equity mutual funds over the past 10 years is 7.4%.
  • The average expense ratio for bond mutual funds is 0.48% in the U.S.
  • The average expense ratio for international equity mutual funds is 1.03%.

Interpretation

In the dizzying world of mutual funds, the numbers paint a complex picture for investors to decipher. With expenses ratios ranging from a mere 0.07% for passive index funds to a hefty 1.25% for global management fees, it's clear that finding the right balance between cost and performance is no easy task. Add in the fact that only 24% of actively managed funds beat their benchmarks over a 15-year span, and the challenge becomes even more daunting. But amidst the numbers and turnover rates, one thing remains constant: the average investor holds their fund for a mere 3.3 years, highlighting the importance of patience and a long-term perspective in the ever-changing landscape of financial markets.

Global Assets Under Management

  • The total global assets under management in mutual funds reached $52.796 trillion in 2020.
  • The top three mutual fund managers (Vanguard, BlackRock, Fidelity) collectively manage over $7 trillion in assets.
  • 55% of global mutual fund assets are held in equity funds.
  • 43% of global mutual fund assets are invested in fixed-income funds.
  • In 2020, passive mutual funds outperformed active funds by an average of 2.5%.
  • The global mutual fund industry experienced an 8% growth in assets under management in 2021.
  • Over 70% of global mutual fund investors consider the fund's performance history before investing.
  • Mutual funds in Canada had a total of $2.1 trillion in assets under management as of 2021.
  • Over 30% of global mutual fund assets are held in money market funds.

Interpretation

In the world of mutual funds, it seems like managing billions is the new black. With a staggering $52.796 trillion in assets under management globally, it's clear that Vanguard, BlackRock, and Fidelity are not just players but rulers of the sandbox, juggling over $7 trillion amongst themselves. Equity funds are clearly the darlings of the party, boasting 55% of global assets, while fixed-income funds hold their own at 43%. It seems that in 2020, passive funds were the cool kids on the block, outshining active funds by 2.5%. And let's not forget the Canadian crew, strutting their stuff with $2.1 trillion in assets. With over 70% of investors poring over performance history before diving in, it's a fierce game out there, where even money market funds stake their claim to over 30% of the pie. So buckle up, investors – the mutual fund rollercoaster is showing no signs of slowing down, with an 8% growth spurt in 2021 to keep things thrilling.

Largest Mutual Fund by AUM

  • The largest mutual fund by assets under management is Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund with $379.2 billion.
  • In 2021, the top-performing mutual fund was the Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund with a return of 53%.

Interpretation

In the dynamic world of mutual funds, Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index Fund stands tall like a financial skyscraper, towering over the competition with an impressive $379.2 billion in assets under management. Meanwhile, the Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund emerges as the showstopper of 2021, dazzling investors with a jaw-dropping return of 53%. While one fund boasts sheer size and stability, the other shines brightly with its nimble and spirited performance—a true testament to the diverse and exciting landscape of the investment universe.

Net Inflows in ETFs

  • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw net inflows of $477 billion in 2020, surpassing mutual funds net inflows of $244 billion.
  • The global mutual fund industry experienced net inflows of $1.4 trillion in 2020.
  • The top three mutual funds with the largest net inflows in 2021 were Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund, and Fidelity 500 Index Fund.
  • Global net inflows into ESG-focused mutual funds reached $71 billion in 2020.
  • Alternative mutual funds saw a net inflow of $27 billion in 2020, despite market uncertainty.
  • European mutual funds attracted €535 billion in net inflows in 2020, driven by a renewed interest in equities.
  • The global mutual fund industry saw net inflows of $1.7 trillion in 2021.
  • The top three mutual fund companies in terms of net inflows in 2021 were Vanguard, BlackRock, and PIMCO.
  • Sustainable investing mutual funds attracted $51 billion in net flows globally in 2020.
  • In 2021, ESG-focused mutual funds saw net inflows of $185 billion.
  • Cryptocurrency mutual funds saw net inflows of $6.3 billion in 2021.

Interpretation

In the world of finance, it seems like ETFs have decided to fully embody the motto "go big or go home" by outshining mutual funds in the 2020 inflows game, with a whopping $477 billion strut compared to mutual funds' $244 billion saunter. Yet, amidst this fiscal dance-off, the global mutual fund industry as a whole seems to be the true life of the party, with net inflows hitting a jaw-dropping $1.4 trillion in 2020 and strutting its stuff even more extravagantly in 2021 with $1.7 trillion flowing in. And let's not forget the star-studded performances by the likes of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Fidelity 500 Index Fund, and their pals, creating a mutual fund extravaganza that even Wall Street can't ignore. So, whether it's ESG, alternative, or cryptocurrency mutual funds taking the spotlight, one thing's for sure—this financial circus is one heck of a show, and the audience can't seem to get enough!

Total Mutual Fund Assets in the US

  • Mutual funds in the U.S. had a total of $18.4 trillion in assets under management as of Q2 2021.
  • The average 10-year annual return for U.S. stock mutual funds is around 13%.
  • 77% of 401(k) retirement plans offer mutual funds as investment options.
  • Bond mutual funds saw net inflows of $277 billion in 2020, driven by investors seeking safety.
  • Over 100 million individual investors in the U.S. own mutual funds.
  • 65% of mutual funds in the U.S. are actively managed.
  • 90% of U.S. mutual funds have exposure to international equities.
  • The average holding period for mutual fund investors is around 3-5 years.
  • 42% of U.S. households own mutual funds.
  • The top-performing mutual fund in 2020 was the Alger Small Cap Focus Fund with a 112% return.
  • 80% of all 529 college savings plans offer mutual funds as an investment choice.
  • In 2020, mutual funds in the U.S. paid out $462 billion in dividends to investors.
  • The top mutual fund with the highest year-to-date return in 2021 was Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund, with a 66.5% return.
  • Approximately 45% of U.S. households own mutual funds in their retirement accounts.
  • Target-date retirement funds account for over 15% of total mutual fund assets in the U.S.
  • Mutual funds account for over 25% of the total U.S. household financial assets.
  • 37% of mutual funds in the U.S. are invested in international equities.
  • The top three best-performing mutual funds over the last 10 years were Ark Innovation ETF, Matthews India, and T. Rowe Price New Horizons Fund.
  • 65% of pre-retirees have saved for retirement using mutual funds.
  • Over 800 new mutual funds were launched globally in 2020.
  • The mutual fund industry employs over 113,000 people in the U.S.
  • 23% of U.S. millennials own mutual funds in their investment portfolios.
  • The top three mutual fund families by total assets under management are Vanguard, BlackRock, and Fidelity.
  • 68% of U.S. mutual funds are held by institutional investors.
  • Mutual funds held approximately 24% of the $29 trillion in total U.S. retirement assets in 2020.
  • The number of mutual funds globally surpassed 120,000 in 2021.
  • Over 80% of U.S. households report owning shares of mutual funds.
  • The average annual return for U.S. equity mutual funds over the past 20 years is 6.95%.
  • The average duration of holding mutual funds by Baby Boomers is 8 years.
  • In 2021, the percentage of retail investors in mutual funds stood at 45% of total assets under management.
  • 60% of female investors in the U.S. prefer investing in mutual funds for long-term financial goals.
  • The top three fund families with the most assets under management are Vanguard, Fidelity, and American Funds.
  • In 2021, the total net assets of mutual funds in Asia reached $8.8 trillion.
  • Over 70% of financial advisors recommend mutual funds to their clients for investment purposes.
  • Retail investors hold over 60% of all mutual fund assets in Europe.
  • Around 40% of mutual funds in the U.S. are invested in domestic equities.
  • 25% of U.S. mutual fund investors have held their investments for over 10 years.
  • The majority of 529 college savings plans offer mutual funds as investment options.
  • The top-performing Small-Cap Value mutual fund in 2021 had a return of 57%.

Interpretation

In a financial world where statistics flow like a river of wealth, the realm of mutual funds stands as a mammoth titan, with assets under management reaching a staggering $18.4 trillion, a number so vast it could make even Scrooge McDuck reconsider his diving habits. With stock funds boasting a seductive 13% average return over a decade, it seems investors are gleefully riding the bull market wave. The love affair with mutual funds extends to retirement accounts, where 401(k) plans embrace them with open arms, offering solace to the risk-averse through bond funds seeing inflows akin to a cash tsunami. While the sharks of Wall Street paddle in actively managed waters, the average investor basks in the international equity sun, their fund holdings akin to passports to global markets. As the financial world whirls with dividends and high-flying returns, one thing's clear - mutual funds have woven themselves deep into the fabric of American portfolios, balancing risk and reward like tightrope walkers on the financial high wire.

References