Best Mutual Funds 2015: Honour Roll
Our past picks have outperformed
Making sense of the markets this week: November 3, 2024
Apple and Nvidia vie for global market cap crown; Google, Microsoft and Meta crush earnings; Amazon’s Bezos takes WaPo...
There are some interesting Honour Roll funds in the Canadian Equity Funds category this year. One of them, the Fidelity Canadian Large Cap fund, is a consistent performer that has appeared among my picks more than once. Recently, the fund has benefited from an asset allocation that emphasizes strong-performing sectors, such as industrials. It’s not a great dividend fund though—its net dividend income after expenses is limited, so the cash distributions to investors mostly consist of capital gains.
Next up is the RBC Canadian Equity Income fund, a typical large cap fund that tracks the S&P/TSX 60 fairly closely. That said, you will find some value added from active portfolio management on a risk-adjusted basis. The fund, which has outperformed its peers in each of the past five years, includes a significant concentration of high-yield securities in the financial and natural resources sectors. There was a big increase in dividend income distribution in 2014, implying a net dividend yield of more than 3% for the “D” series fund.
Speaking of dividend income, if this is what you’re hunting for, I should warn you that the options have become limited. On average, the dividend yield of a diversified equity portfolio ranges from 2.5% to 3%. As the average management expense fee (or MER) you pay for a fund in this category is 2.3%, there isn’t much left over. That’s why the dividend distributions from equity funds are so paltry. If you are after some reliable cash distributions, I’d go for income-focused funds with lower MERs, such as the Beutel Goodman Canadian Dividend fund.
Canadian Equity Funds
Benchmark index: S&P/TSX Composite Index TR, Five-year return: 8.26%
| Fund Name | Fund Name | Five-Year Annualized Return | Tax Efficiency(1) | Current Value of $10,000 Invested Five Years Ago(2) | Performance Rating | Performance Rating | Risk-Adjusted Return (RAR)(3) | Consistency | Bear Market Performance(4) | Risk Rating | MER | Cost Rating | Cost Rating | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentry Diversified Income Fund Series X6 | Sentry Diversified Income Fund Series X6 | 17.16% | 80% | $22,073.86 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 25.79% | 61.67% | A | 4.5 | 1.55% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Fidelity Canadian Large Cap Fund Series B | Fidelity Canadian Large Cap Fund Series B | 16.40% | 80% | $21,363.46 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 21.58% | 61.67% | A | 4.5 | 2.31% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| RBC Canadian Equity Income Fund Series D | RBC Canadian Equity Income Fund Series D | 16.13% | 88% | $21,124.10 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 17.90% | 65.00% | B | 3 | 1.21% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 500 |
| Mawer Canadian Equity Fund Series A | Mawer Canadian Equity Fund Series A | 14.68% | 97% | $19,832.69 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 17.83% | 76.67% | B | 3.5 | 1.18% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5000 |
| Steadyhand Equity Fund | Steadyhand Equity Fund | 13.37% | 95% | $18,725.49 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 15.72% | 70.00% | B | 3.5 | 1.42% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 10000 |
| Beutel Goodman Canadian Dividend Fund Class D | Beutel Goodman Canadian Dividend Fund Class D | 13.07% | 93% | $18,484.76 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 17.07% | 61.67% | B | 4 | 1.49% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 5000 |
| BMO Monthly High Income Fund II Advisor Series | BMO Monthly High Income Fund II Advisor Series | 12.99% | 79% | $18,412.94 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 17.91% | 61.67% | A | 4.5 | 2.32% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Mackenzie Canadian All Cap Dividend Fund A6 | Mackenzie Canadian All Cap Dividend Fund A6 | 12.69% | 96% | $18,168.98 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 16.72% | 56.67% | B | 4 | 2.35% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Trimark Canadian Plus Dividend Class Series T6 | Trimark Canadian Plus Dividend Class Series T6 | 12.54% | NA | $18,054.79 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.82% | 61.67% | B | 3.5 | 2.38% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Beutel Goodman North American Focused Equ Fd Cl D | Beutel Goodman North American Focused Equ Fd Cl D | 12.32% | 89% | $17,879.01 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.29% | 63.33% | C | 3 | 1.51% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 5000 |
| Dynamic Equity Income Fund Series A | Dynamic Equity Income Fund Series A | 12.07% | 79% | $17,676.98 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 18.54% | 58.33% | A | 5 | 2.13% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| PH&N Canadian Income Fund Series D | PH&N Canadian Income Fund Series D | 12.00% | 95% | $17,624.20 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 13.63% | 65.00% | C | 3 | 1.19% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 500 |
| Standard Life Dividend Income Fund L-Series | Standard Life Dividend Income Fund L-Series | 11.89% | 85% | $17,533.91 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.72% | 60.00% | B | 4 | 1.27% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 250000 |
| Fidelity Dividend Plus Fund Series B | Fidelity Dividend Plus Fund Series B | 11.85% | 96% | $17,502.59 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 15.03% | 56.67% | A | 4.5 | 2.13% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Cambridge Canadian Dividend Fund D6 | Cambridge Canadian Dividend Fund D6 | 11.57% | 94% | $17,286.92 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.16% | 58.33% | B | 3.5 | 2.05% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
Next up are the winners in the U.S. Equity Funds category. For Canadian investors, diversifying into U.S. equities is a must. The American market offers more depth and diversification than our market, which is highly concentrated on banks and commodity-based stocks. As well, investors tend to flock to the safety of the U.S. dollar during periods of market turbulence. Because of that, in bad times Canadian investors who hold U.S. dollar funds have seen their losses somewhat offset by U.S. dollar appreciation.
As the name suggests, the TD U.S. Quantitative Equity fund uses a quantitative methodology for fund selection. Still, I’ve noticed that its performance moves largely in tandem with that of the S&P 500 index. Although the fund has slightly lagged the benchmark on a five-year return basis, there is evidence of moderate value added from active management on a risk-adjusted basis. This fund also offers investors two structural advantages, namely low management expenses and low portfolio turnover.
The Beutel Goodman American Equity fund is another above-average performer, with superior results in each of the past three years. This fund owes its recent results to the top performing technology, consumer staples and health-care sectors. The fund has a slight bias in favour of value versus growth. Here again, management expenses are relatively low and so is portfolio turnover, given the fund’s average holding period of individual securities is more than three years.
U.S. Equity Funds
Benchmark index: S&P 500 TR Index (C$), Five-year return: 17.84%
| Fund Name | Fund Name | Five-Year Annualized Return | Tax Efficiency(1) | Current Value of $10,000 Invested Five Years Ago(2) | Performance Rating | Performance Rating | Risk-Adjusted Return (RAR)(3) | Consistency | Bear Market Performance(4) | Risk Rating | MER | Cost Rating | Cost Rating | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beutel Goodman American Equity Fund Class D | Beutel Goodman American Equity Fund Class D | 16.70% | 96% | $21,648.54 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 16.36% | 56.67% | B | 4 | 1.47% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 5000 |
| BMO U.S. Equity Class – Classic6 | BMO U.S. Equity Class – Classic6 | 16.32% | 100% | $21,291.98 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 15.65% | 61.67% | C | 3.5 | 2.27% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Standard Life U.S. Dividend Growth Fund E-Series | Standard Life U.S. Dividend Growth Fund E-Series | 14.63% | NA | $19,790.35 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 16.65% | 55.00% | A | 5 | 1.98% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 100000 |
Now let’s have a look at some of the winners in the Global Equity Funds category. These funds have been marred by two major weaknesses: continued uncertainty in Europe and the extended under-performance of emerging markets equities. For the time being, there are no signs of a trend reversal. European uncertainty is at a high point with the looming threat of a Greek exit. In the emerging markets space, the BRICS countries have their own debilitating structural weaknesses.
Yet I can see some bright spots on the horizon for the long-term investor. By historical standards, European equities are undervalued compared to U.S. equities, and they offer higher dividend yields. Unless you think the old continent is doomed, or that emerging markets will never come back, now is not a bad time to get some exposure outside the U.S. With a 50% allocation to Europe, Japan and emerging markets, global equity funds provide that option.
In the Global Equity category, the Fiera Capital Global Equity fund is a consistent performer with superior results in each of the past four years. The fund offers a 35% allocation to Europe and there is good value added from active portfolio management. It also has structural advantages in terms of low cost and low portfolio turnover.
Mawer Global Equity is another good choice with more or less similar characteristics in terms of low cost, low portfolio turnover and European exposure.
Global Equity Funds
Benchmark index: Dow Jones Global TR Index (C$), Five-year return: 12.34%
| Fund Name | Fund Name | Five-Year Annualized Return | Tax Efficiency(1) | Current Value of $10,000 Invested Five Years Ago(2) | Performance Rating | Performance Rating | Risk-Adjusted Return (RAR)(3) | Consistency | Bear Market Performance(4) | Risk Rating | MER | Cost Rating | Cost Rating | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trimark Global Endeavour Fund Series M6 | Trimark Global Endeavour Fund Series M6 | 16.52% | NA | $21,475.66 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 15.22% | 65.00% | B | 3 | 2.09% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Sentry Infrastructure Fund Series X6 | Sentry Infrastructure Fund Series X6 | 15.54% | 89 | $20,589.37 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 17.90% | 58.33% | A | 4.5 | 1.89% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund Class B | Fiera Capital Global Equity Fund Class B | 14.27% | 100% | $19,484.94 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.10% | 53.33% | C | 3 | 1.90% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 5000 |
| Mawer Global Equity Fund Series A | Mawer Global Equity Fund Series A | 14.23% | 99% | $19,450.01 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.93% | 68.33% | C | 3 | 1.36% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5000 |
| Manulife Global Equity Class Advisor Series | Manulife Global Equity Class Advisor Series | 12.94% | 99% | $18,377.93 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 13.09% | 66.67% | C | 3 | 2.51% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Capital Group Global Equity Fund (Canada) Ser D | Capital Group Global Equity Fund (Canada) Ser D | 12.87% | NA | $18,321.05 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 12.68% | 65.00% | C | 3 | 1.54% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| RBC Jantzi Global Equity Fund Series D | RBC Jantzi Global Equity Fund Series D | 12.77% | 98% | $18,235.99 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 12.76% | 60.00% | C | 3 | 1.28% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 500 |
| Trimark Fund Series SC | Trimark Fund Series SC | 11.89% | 98% | $17,533.13 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.01% | 55.00% | B | 4 | 1.72% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Trimark Global Fundamental Equity Fund Ser T4 | Trimark Global Fundamental Equity Fund Ser T4 | 11.71% | NA | $17,399.55 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 12.45% | 55.00% | B | 3.5 | 2.33% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Epoch Global Shareholder Yield Fund – T Series | Epoch Global Shareholder Yield Fund – T Series | 11.34% | 65% | $17,111.78 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 12.71% | 56.67% | B | 4 | 2.51% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 5000 |
| Trimark Global Dividend Class Series T4 | Trimark Global Dividend Class Series T4 | 11.18% | NA | $16,984.60 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 14.67% | 55.00% | B | 4.5 | 2.51% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| AGF Global Dividend Fund Mutual Fund Series | AGF Global Dividend Fund Mutual Fund Series | 11.03% | 98% | $16,874.12 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 13.20% | 55.00% | B | 4 | 2.44% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Fidelity Global Dividend Fund Series B | Fidelity Global Dividend Fund Series B | 11.01% | 96% | $16,858.93 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 12.99% | 51.67% | B | 4 | 2.42% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Compass Growth Portfolio | Compass Growth Portfolio | 10.93% | 99% | $16,794.49 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 12.70% | 56.67% | C | 3.5 | 2.06% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 1000 |
Next is the Canadian Balanced Funds category, where you’ll find that the Manulife Monthly High Income has achieved consistent, above-average returns. It has the benefit of a fairly diversified portfolio as well as acceptable down market performance. On the other hand, don’t misinterpret the generous cash distribution (which reached 10% in 2013) as investment income. Here again, a large percentage of the cash you receive is made up of capital gains or return of capital.
The Fidelity Monthly Income fund is another excellent performer in the balanced fund category, having trounced its peers in each of the past five years. Faithful to its mandate, the fund allocates a full 40% to fixed-income investments such as bonds, which include some selective investments in American high-yield bonds. This cuts both ways: on the one hand, it gives a boost to net interest income. On the other, high-yield bonds are currently considered expensive and therefore vulnerable during periods of uncertainty, such as the one we saw in the latter part of 2014. In terms of income distributions, you can expect something in the neighbourhood of 1.25% to 1.5%, based on most recent reports.
Canadian Balanced Funds
Benchmark index: Fundata Canadian Balanced Index, Five-year return: 7.02%
| Fund Name | Fund Name | Five-Year Annualized Return | Tax Efficiency(1) | Current Value of $10,000 Invested Five Years Ago(2) | Performance Rating | Performance Rating | Risk-Adjusted Return (RAR)(3) | Consistency | Bear Market Performance(4) | Risk Rating | MER | Cost Rating | Cost Rating | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manulife Monthly High Income Fund Advisor Series | Manulife Monthly High Income Fund Advisor Series | 10.09% | 86 | $16,171.09 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 12.39% | 68.33% | C | 3 | 2.11% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Fidelity Monthly Income Fund Series B | Fidelity Monthly Income Fund Series B | 9.49% | 87 | $15,735.92 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 12.16% | 60.00% | C | 3 | 2.10% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Fidelity Income Allocation Fund Series A | Fidelity Income Allocation Fund Series A | 9.07% | 89 | $15,434.29 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 11.04% | 53.33% | B | 3.5 | 2.01% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Compass Conservative Balanced Portfolio | Compass Conservative Balanced Portfolio | 8.29% | 92 | $14,888.86 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 12.11% | 61.67% | B | 3.5 | 1.69% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 1000 |
| Dynamic Dividend Income Fund Series T | Dynamic Dividend Income Fund Series T | 8.20% | 100 | $14,829.83 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 10.75% | 66.67% | B | 3.5 | 2.18% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Steadyhand Income Fund | Steadyhand Income Fund | 8.06% | 88 | $14,732.78 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 14.23% | 51.67% | A | 4.5 | 1.04% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 10000 |
| Standard Life Diversified Income Fund E-Series | Standard Life Diversified Income Fund E-Series | 7.61% | 84 | $14,426.54 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 11.81% | 51.67% | A | 4 | 1.94% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 100000 |
| RBC Monthly Income Fund Series D | RBC Monthly Income Fund Series D | 7.36% | 86 | $14,261.06 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 10.43% | 55.00% | C | 3 | 0.88% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 500 |
| Renaissance Optimal Income Portfolio A | Renaissance Optimal Income Portfolio A | 7.29% | 85 | $14,217.28 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 10.91% | 56.67% | B | 3.5 | 1.98% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| BMO Monthly Income Fund Series A | BMO Monthly Income Fund Series A | 7.21% | 87 | $14,163.03 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 9.11% | 56.67% | C | 3 | 1.57% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| National Bank Moderate Strategic Portfolio NR | National Bank Moderate Strategic Portfolio NR | 6.87% | 95 | $13,942.48 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 10.78% | 53.33% | C | 3 | 2.06% | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 10000 |
| Professionals Balanced Fund | Professionals Balanced Fund | 6.71% | 89 | $13,837.78 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 8.34% | 63.33% | C | 3 | 1.08% | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 2500 |
| Scotia Diversified Monthly Income Fund Series A | Scotia Diversified Monthly Income Fund Series A | 6.66% | 81 | $13,804.09 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 8.15% | 55.00% | C | 3 | 1.47% | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
Finally, in our Canadian Small-Cap Funds Honour Roll, you’ll notice a heavy concentration on energy and natural resources stocks. This category does very well during periods of rising commodity prices but it suffers when commodities fall. The volatile nature of commodity prices adds to the risk of stocks and funds in this category, which invest in higher risk, less liquid stocks, such as small oil and gas companies and junior miners.
Unfortunately, the top three funds on the list are closed to new investors. Among the funds still open to investors, the National Bank Quebec Growth fund is a fine choice, although its mandate of concentrating on Quebec companies can be limiting. The HSBC Small Cap fund is another good performer with an acceptable risk profile. It is actively managed and it performs quite differently from its index benchmark, so there’s definitely value being added here.
Last but not least, the PH&N Small Float fund stands out as a small cap with the risk profile of a large-cap equity fund. In each of the past three years, including the year 2011, which was bad for the category, the fund out-performed its peers by a fat margin. It is actively managed with a history of powerful stock selection.
Canadian Small Cap Funds
Benchmark index: BMO Canadian Small Cap Index, Five-year return: 4.119%
| Fund Name | Fund Name | Five-Year Annualized Return | Tax Efficiency(1) | Current Value of $10,000 Invested Five Years Ago(2) | Performance Rating | Performance Rating | Risk-Adjusted Return (RAR)(3) | Consistency | Bear Market Performance(4) | Risk Rating | MER | Cost Rating | Cost Rating | Minimum Investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pender Small Cap Opportunities Fund Class A6 | Pender Small Cap Opportunities Fund Class A6 | 21.71% | 21.71% | $26,708.48 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 30.48% | 65.00% | A | A | A | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 2500 |
| Mawer New Canada Fund7 | Mawer New Canada Fund7 | 21.67% | 21.67% | $26,658.05 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 30.42% | 68.33% | B | B | B | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 5000 |
| BMO Enterprise Fund – Classic7 | BMO Enterprise Fund – Classic7 | 21.30% | 21.30% | $26,258.40 | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 29.76% | 71.67% | B | B | B | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 50000 |
| National Bank Quebec Growth Fund | National Bank Quebec Growth Fund | 19.84% | 19.84% | $24,720.85 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 34.81% | 66.67% | A | A | A | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| HSBC Small Cap Growth Fund Investor Series5 | HSBC Small Cap Growth Fund Investor Series5 | 18.88% | 18.88% | $23,747.45 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 25.73% | 65.00% | C | C | C | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| PH&N Small Float Fund Series A | PH&N Small Float Fund Series A | 17.67% | 17.67% | $22,556.59 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 21.47% | 68.33% | C | C | C | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 25000 |
| Steadyhand Small-Cap Equity Fund | Steadyhand Small-Cap Equity Fund | 16.41% | 16.41% | $21,377.23 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 23.71% | 61.67% | B | B | B | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 10000 |
| GBC Canadian Growth Fund | GBC Canadian Growth Fund | 16.26% | 16.26% | $21,237.12 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 19.97% | 66.67% | C | C | C | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 100000 |
| Dynamic Real Estate & Infrastructure Income Fund A5 | Dynamic Real Estate & Infrastructure Income Fund A5 | 16.20% | 16.20% | $21,182.37 | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 30.09% | 53.33% | A | A | A | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 5000 |
| Fidelity Special Situations Fund Series B | Fidelity Special Situations Fund Series B | 14.93% | 14.93% | $20,052.43 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 18.17% | 61.67% | C | C | C | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
| Sionna Canadian Small Cap Equity Fund | Sionna Canadian Small Cap Equity Fund | 14.82% | 14.82% | $19,958.39 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 21.21% | 58.33% | C | C | C | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 1000 |
| RBC O’Shaughnessy All-Canadian Equity Fund D | RBC O’Shaughnessy All-Canadian Equity Fund D | 13.78% | 13.78% | $19,064.89 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 20.22% | 63.33% | C | C | C | 5 Stars | 5 Stars | 500 |
| CI Can-Am Small Cap Corporate Class A | CI Can-Am Small Cap Corporate Class A | 13.07% | 13.07% | $18,484.76 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 25.71% | 51.67% | A | A | A | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 500 |
| Trimark Canadian Endeavour Fund Series A | Trimark Canadian Endeavour Fund Series A | 12.89% | 12.89% | $18,334.04 | 3 Stars | 3 Stars | 18.37% | 53.33% | C | C | C | 4 Stars | 4 Stars | 500 |
How to use these tables
Overall ratings in each category go from one circle (poor) to five circles (excellent). Any Honour Roll fund is a good buy, but some may be better for you than others. For instance, if you’re investing outside an RRSP, pay particular attention to “Tax Efficiency.” This measures how much of the return on a fund has been lost to taxes on distributions. (Funds that don’t distribute cash don’t lose anything and so are rated at 100%.) In general, the higher this number, the better for funds held in taxable accounts. All investors should consider risk as well. “Risk-Adjusted Return” shows how much return each fund has achieved in proportion to its risk—again, the higher, the better. If you want to play it safe, look for funds with a high “Consistency” rating (which shows the percentage of months in which a fund has performed better than its peers) and strong “Bear Market Performance” (the best funds get ‘A’s and so on down to ‘E’s).
1 Tax efficiency estimates the percentage of total returns retained by investors, assuming a 46% tax rate for interest income, 25% for capital gains and 23% for dividends. Not applicable for RRSP investors.
2 Based on five years historical return, before sales chargesand commissions
3 For details on risk-adjusted return calculation, check moneysense.ca or fundscope.ca
4 Based on average monthly loss during market corrections
5 Restricted/May not be sold in all provinces
6 Closed for new investors, check availability of other versions
Sources: Fundata Canada Inc. & FundScope Limited November 2014
Share this article Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Reddit Share on Email
Related Articles
Making sense of the markets this week: October 27, 2024
The Bank of Canada’s jumbo rate cut, Canadian railway earnings stay on track, Rogers disappoints, and Tesla surges on...
Making sense of the markets this week: October 20, 2024
U.S. banks post solid earnings, Walgreens cuts costs, United Airlines is flying high, Netflix still dominates streaming, and Canada’s...
What does high inflation mean for your retirement savings?
How high inflation affects investments, and what you can do to minimize the impact on your retirement savings.
Making sense of the markets this week: October 13, 2024
Investors like Canadian Natural Resources’ latest purchase, Nvidia moves past Microsoft, Couche-Tard ups bid for 7-Eleven’s parent and Delta...
Canadian Financial Summit 2024: MoneySense sessions and free tickets
Created By
Canadian Financial Summit
Making sense of the markets this week: October 6, 2024
National Bank moves up, Carnival cruises on while Nike lags, dockworker strike postponed until January, and utility stocks are...
Webull Canada Review 2024
Stock trading platform Webull has landed in Canada with $2.99 trades. We review the new service, and determine who...
Making sense of the markets this week: September 29, 2024
Chinese stimulus a major boost, Costco thrives and Micron shines, good times are here for investors, and are...
Making sense of the markets this week: September 22, 2024
U.S. cuts interest rates, Canadian inflation down to 2%, FedEx shares fall sharply, and should you be wary of...