There are some really good, low cost, actively managed funds like Fidelity ContraFund.
It has a 10 yr return of 9.6% and an expense ratio of 0.64%.
Compare that to VFINX at a 10 yr return of 7.5% and an expense ratio of 0.17%.
ContraFund after expenses..9% over 10 yrs
Vanguard SP500 after exp...7.3% over 10 yrs.
That's a big difference over a long enough time period to be significant.
If you want to go back further, how about 20 yrs?
FCNTX after exp...9.85%
VFINX after exp...8.42%
It has a 10 yr return of 9.6% and an expense ratio of 0.64%.
Compare that to VFINX at a 10 yr return of 7.5% and an expense ratio of 0.17%.
ContraFund after expenses..9% over 10 yrs
Vanguard SP500 after exp...7.3% over 10 yrs.
That's a big difference over a long enough time period to be significant.
If you want to go back further, how about 20 yrs?
FCNTX after exp...9.85%
VFINX after exp...8.42%