The FTSE 100 Will Always Beat You

On average, the FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) always beats private investors.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

sdf

stock exchangeEvery investor’s goal is to make money and increase their wealth, or at least protect their wealth. However, the majority of private investors fail to accomplish this simple goal. 

Indeed, it’s often said that many private investors underperform the market, although until recently there have been no definitive figures detailing to what degree investors actually underperform. But now we know, and the numbers are terrifying. 

Lagging the index

Over the past 20 years the FTSE 100 has risen at a rate of around 5.4% per annum, excluding fees, dividends and inflation — dividends received are likely to cancel out fees and inflation anyway. During this period, the market has seen the dotcom bubble and the financial crisis: two events that have sent the FTSE 100 surging to a high of nearly 7,000 and crashing to a low of around 3,000. 

In comparison, over the same 20-year period, according to research conducted by a number of financial institutions, the average investor has only returned 2.5% per annum including dividends. This paltry return is, in a word, shocking.

In fact, the average investor underperformed nearly every financial instrument bar one over the 20-year period studied. The only market that put in a worse performance than the average investor over this period was that Japanese stock market. Some of the instruments that performed better than the average investor over the past 20 years include: cash (3% p.a.), bonds (3% – 8% p.a.), hedge funds (8% p.a.), REITS (10% p.a.) and all emerging markets (6% – 10% p.a.).

All in all, if you include inflation, in real terms over the past 20 years the average investor has returned 0% p.a., while the FTSE 100 has returned over 5%. 

Slow and steady

Many analysts agree that the average investor underperforms the market because they trade too much. As a result, fees eat away at returns and many investors often buy high and sell low, erasing much of their capital in the process. 

So, it seems as if the best way to avoid these dismal returns and rack up a performance that is at least in line with the wider market, investors should look to tracker funds. 

It’s easy to see how a simple tracker fund can transform your portfolio. Over the past 29 years, the FTSE 100 has returned around 5.5% per annum, excluding dividends. Meanwhile, the FTSE All-Share has returned closer to 6% per annum. Including dividends these returns would be closer to 10%.

And remember, these returns exclude the impact of dividend reinvestment. According to my figures, a £1000 investment in the FTSE All-share, yielding 3% per annum, with capital growth of 5.9% would turn £1,000 into £8,200 over a period of 30 years.

Of course, this is excluding costs, but there are some very low cost trackers out there for you to take advantage of. In particular, BlackRock 100 UK Equity TrackerFidelity Index UK charges 0.09% and the db x-trackers FTSE 100 UCITS ETF (LSE: XUKX) charges a lowly 0.09%.

For the FTSE All-Share, Vanguard FTSE UK Equity Index charges 0.15%, BlackRock UK Equity Tracker offers index replication for 0.16% and the Legal & General Tracker Trust charges 0.16%.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Number three written on white chat bubble on blue background
Investing Articles

Just released: the 3 best growth-focused stocks to consider buying in July [PREMIUM PICKS]

Our goal here is to highlight some of our past recommendations that we think are of particular interest today, due…

Read more »

Portrait of a boy with the map of the world painted on his face.
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway dumped this growth stock. Here’s why I won’t

Eyebrows were raised when Warren Buffett's company invested in this Latin American fintech disruptor a few years ago. But now…

Read more »

Fireworks display in the shape of willow at Newcastle, Co. Down , Northern Ireland at Halloween.
Investing Articles

£15k to spend? 3 UK shares, investment trusts and ETFs to consider for a £1,185 second income

By harnessing a range of different dividend stocks, I'm confident this mini portfolio might pay a large long-term second income.

Read more »

Portrait of elderly man wearing white denim shirt and glasses looking up with hand on chin. Thoughtful senior entrepreneur, studio shot against grey background.
Investing Articles

Is Tesla stock about to crash?

Tesla stock was on the slide today, shedding around $80bn in market value. What's going on with the electric vehicle…

Read more »

Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

Should British investors consider buying Apple stock while it’s down 14% in 2025?

Apple stock has underperformed in 2025, falling more than 10%. Is this the buying opportunity UK investors have been waiting…

Read more »

Two business people sitting at cafe working on new project using laptop. Young businesswoman taking notes and businessman working on laptop computer.
US Stock

2 AI growth shares that I think are still undervalued

Jon Smith flags up two AI growth shares that aren't as overhyped as some peers, making them appealing for him…

Read more »

Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

Where is the next Nvidia stock right now?

Nvidia stock has delivered jaw-dropping gains. Here are 10 growth shares that have the potential to also produce big returns…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

Could these FTSE 100 stocks explode in July?

Looking for FTSE stocks that could catch fire this month? Here are the share price prospects of two popular London…

Read more »