DQOTD: Why aren't mutual funds required to report gains net of all expenses?

[Midpack]

Inspired by the other thread re: mutual fund fees and the Supreme Court. While the info is all there, they make it as difficult as possible to determine what an investors return net of all expenses is - and isn't that what we all really want to know? If a fund makes 8.0% and it's expenses are 1.5%, the only number I care about is 6.5% net return. I don't care if they charge 10% fees if their performance net of expenses justifies it (exaggerated to make the point)...

[Animorph]

I'm not sure I understand this. The reported total return performance numbers, such as from Morningstar, are all net returns. The thing that might be tough to find out is the gross return, before expenses, since some of the transaction expenses are not directly reported as far as I know.

They are required to report returns net of all expenses.