What is an Index Fund and is it Reasonable to Invest in? The Benefits of Direct Indexing Explained
An index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that aims to track the performance of a specific market index, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average1. Index funds invest in the same stocks or bonds at the same weights as the index they track2. This makes them a more diversified and low-cost way to invest compared to picking individual stocks.
Index funds have become extremely popular over the past few decades. As of 2023, index funds account for over 50% of total fund assets, up from less than 20% in 20003. This shift has occurred because research generally shows that index funds perform better than actively managed funds over the long run1. Actively managed funds try to beat the market by frequently trading stocks, but most fail to match net returns of index funds over time, after fees and expenses.
‍
Benefits of Index Funds
There are several key benefits that make index funds an attractive investment4:
- Diversification: Index funds provide instant diversification across hundreds or thousands of stocks and bonds. This reduces portfolio risk compared to owning just a few stocks.
- Low Cost: Index funds do not require extensive research and trading of securities like actively managed funds, so they have lower expense ratios. These small differences in fees compound over decades and lead to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra portfolio growth.
- Tax Efficiency: Index funds trade infrequently, so they generate lower capital gains distributions compared to actively managed funds. This saves investors money on taxes every year.
- Transparency: Index funds clearly publish their exact portfolio holdings daily, so investors know exactly what they own. Actively managed mutual funds only disclose their top 10 holdings quarterly.
So in summary, index funds provide a low-cost, diversified, and tax-efficient way to invest that has outperformed most active managers over time. This makes them a relatively safe choice for long-term investors compared to picking individual stocks.
Introduction to Direct Indexing
Direct indexing is a newer innovation that provides all the traditional benefits of index funds while allowing for greater customization and tax optimization 6.
With direct indexing, an investor owns the underlying stocks of an index directly rather than owning shares of an index mutual fund or ETF. For example, to track the S&P 500 an investor would work with a firm to build a portfolio of the 500 companies in the index.
This structure provides investors with more control, including the ability to7:
- Customize their portfolios by excluding certain sectors or stocks
- Further optimize the investments from a tax perspective through loss harvesting
- Incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into stock selection
Direct indexing portfolios are now also accessible to investors without millions of dollars thanks to fractional share trading and automated software to manage the accounts. The minimum investment is often between $25,000 to $100,000.
So in summary, direct indexing provides all the traditional benefits of index funds while allowing investors more control over customization, tax optimization, and ESG factors.
Direct Indexing Benefits for High Net Worth Investors
While direct indexing can benefit all types of investors, it is especially useful for high net worth individuals and families for several reasons8:
1. Greater Tax Optimization
Wealthy investors generally have higher income tax rates and more taxable investment accounts. Direct indexing provides more opportunities to harvest investment losses to offset realized capital gains. This tax alpha can boost after-tax returns by around 1-2% annually9.Â
2. Ability to Exclude Certain Stocks
High net worth investors may want to avoid investing in certain companies for ethical, political, or other personal reasons. With direct indexing, investors can customize and exclude stocks from portfolios rather than being forced to own everything in a broad index fund.
3. Transition Concentrated Stock Positions
Affluent investors sometimes have concentrated public or private company stock positions they want to diversify away from. Direct indexing provides a tax-efficient way to slowly sell down positions while offsetting gains with loss harvesting.
‍
4. Incorporate ESG Factors
Many wealthy investors care about incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investments. Direct indexing allows granular customization to tilt portfolios towards companies with leading ESG practices.
5. Access Unique Investment Strategies
Direct indexing also allows the incorporation of more complex rules-based investment strategies focused on factors like momentum, volatility, quality, or dividends. This customization is not possible with traditional index funds and ETFs.
So in summary, direct indexing provides substantial advantages to high net worth investors who want greater control over customization, tax optimization, ESG factors, and specialized investment strategies.
Is Direct Indexing More Expensive?
Direct indexing does come with additional costs compared to basic index funds and ETFs since separate accounts must be set up for each investor and fractional shares purchased10. However, for larger portfolios, the incremental fees are generally quite small, especially given the tax savings and customization benefits.
‍
Most direct indexing portfolios have an annual asset-based fee around 0.20% to 0.50% depending on the provider and services included11. So a $1 million portfolio would pay between $2,000 to $5,000 annually. Basic index ETFs often have expense ratios under 0.10%, so the incremental fee for direct indexing averages 0.15% to 0.35% higher for wealthy investors.
However, multiple studies show the additional tax alpha from loss harvesting generally far outweighs the incremental fees. For example, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Financial Planning showed leading direct indexing providers captured over 2% in tax alpha for taxable accounts over a 7-year period12. So the net benefit even after higher fees was around 1.5% to 1.8% annually.
‍
Conclusion
In conclusion, index funds provide diversification, low costs, transparency, and tax efficiency that can help investors across the wealth spectrum grow their nest egg over the long run. The S&P 500 and total stock market index funds are safe choices for long-term retirement savers.
Direct indexing takes the benefits of traditional index funds further by allowing complete customization over portfolio holdings. It also provides high net worth investors with enhanced tax optimization and the ability to align investments with their values. While direct indexing costs more than basic index funds, the tax savings generally outweigh the fees for larger portfolios.
‍
Meet
Brent Boden
Hi there I’m Brent, I provide holistic financial guidance, covering budgeting, debt management, saving, investing, tax-saving strategies, and estate planning. I focus on empowering my clients. I help medical professionals manage their finances effectively while navigating debt, and savings, and achieving financial goals. I can’t wait to help you achieve your financial goals.
References
1 https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/indexfund.asp
2 https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-products/mutual-funds-and-exchange-traded-4
3 https://www.ici.org/reIndex Funds | Investor.govsearch/stats/trends/trends_12_22
4 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-invest-in-index-funds
5 https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/15/active-fund-managers-trail-the-sp-500-for-the-ninth-year-in-a-row-in-triumph-for-indexing.html
6 https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/what-is-direct-indexing
7 https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/what-is-direct-indexing-benefits
8 https://wiserinvestor.com/how-direct-indexing-benefits-high-net-worth-individuals/
9 https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/what-is-direct-indexing
10 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/what-is-direct-indexing/
11 https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/direct-indexing-4b1563b7
12 https://wiserinvestor.com/how-direct-indexing-benefits-high-net-worth-individuals/
‍
What is an Index Fund and is it Reasonable to Invest in? The Benefits of Direct Indexing Explained
An index fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that aims to track the performance of a specific market index, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average1. Index funds invest in the same stocks or bonds at the same weights as the index they track2. This makes them a more diversified and low-cost way to invest compared to picking individual stocks.
Index funds have become extremely popular over the past few decades. As of 2023, index funds account for over 50% of total fund assets, up from less than 20% in 20003. This shift has occurred because research generally shows that index funds perform better than actively managed funds over the long run1. Actively managed funds try to beat the market by frequently trading stocks, but most fail to match net returns of index funds over time, after fees and expenses.
‍
Benefits of Index Funds
There are several key benefits that make index funds an attractive investment4:
- Diversification: Index funds provide instant diversification across hundreds or thousands of stocks and bonds. This reduces portfolio risk compared to owning just a few stocks.
- Low Cost: Index funds do not require extensive research and trading of securities like actively managed funds, so they have lower expense ratios. These small differences in fees compound over decades and lead to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra portfolio growth.
- Tax Efficiency: Index funds trade infrequently, so they generate lower capital gains distributions compared to actively managed funds. This saves investors money on taxes every year.
- Transparency: Index funds clearly publish their exact portfolio holdings daily, so investors know exactly what they own. Actively managed mutual funds only disclose their top 10 holdings quarterly.
So in summary, index funds provide a low-cost, diversified, and tax-efficient way to invest that has outperformed most active managers over time. This makes them a relatively safe choice for long-term investors compared to picking individual stocks.
Introduction to Direct Indexing
Direct indexing is a newer innovation that provides all the traditional benefits of index funds while allowing for greater customization and tax optimization 6.
With direct indexing, an investor owns the underlying stocks of an index directly rather than owning shares of an index mutual fund or ETF. For example, to track the S&P 500 an investor would work with a firm to build a portfolio of the 500 companies in the index.
This structure provides investors with more control, including the ability to7:
- Customize their portfolios by excluding certain sectors or stocks
- Further optimize the investments from a tax perspective through loss harvesting
- Incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into stock selection
Direct indexing portfolios are now also accessible to investors without millions of dollars thanks to fractional share trading and automated software to manage the accounts. The minimum investment is often between $25,000 to $100,000.
So in summary, direct indexing provides all the traditional benefits of index funds while allowing investors more control over customization, tax optimization, and ESG factors.
Direct Indexing Benefits for High Net Worth Investors
While direct indexing can benefit all types of investors, it is especially useful for high net worth individuals and families for several reasons8:
1. Greater Tax Optimization
Wealthy investors generally have higher income tax rates and more taxable investment accounts. Direct indexing provides more opportunities to harvest investment losses to offset realized capital gains. This tax alpha can boost after-tax returns by around 1-2% annually9.Â
2. Ability to Exclude Certain Stocks
High net worth investors may want to avoid investing in certain companies for ethical, political, or other personal reasons. With direct indexing, investors can customize and exclude stocks from portfolios rather than being forced to own everything in a broad index fund.
3. Transition Concentrated Stock Positions
Affluent investors sometimes have concentrated public or private company stock positions they want to diversify away from. Direct indexing provides a tax-efficient way to slowly sell down positions while offsetting gains with loss harvesting.
‍
4. Incorporate ESG Factors
Many wealthy investors care about incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their investments. Direct indexing allows granular customization to tilt portfolios towards companies with leading ESG practices.
5. Access Unique Investment Strategies
Direct indexing also allows the incorporation of more complex rules-based investment strategies focused on factors like momentum, volatility, quality, or dividends. This customization is not possible with traditional index funds and ETFs.
So in summary, direct indexing provides substantial advantages to high net worth investors who want greater control over customization, tax optimization, ESG factors, and specialized investment strategies.
Is Direct Indexing More Expensive?
Direct indexing does come with additional costs compared to basic index funds and ETFs since separate accounts must be set up for each investor and fractional shares purchased10. However, for larger portfolios, the incremental fees are generally quite small, especially given the tax savings and customization benefits.
‍
Most direct indexing portfolios have an annual asset-based fee around 0.20% to 0.50% depending on the provider and services included11. So a $1 million portfolio would pay between $2,000 to $5,000 annually. Basic index ETFs often have expense ratios under 0.10%, so the incremental fee for direct indexing averages 0.15% to 0.35% higher for wealthy investors.
However, multiple studies show the additional tax alpha from loss harvesting generally far outweighs the incremental fees. For example, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Financial Planning showed leading direct indexing providers captured over 2% in tax alpha for taxable accounts over a 7-year period12. So the net benefit even after higher fees was around 1.5% to 1.8% annually.
‍
Conclusion
In conclusion, index funds provide diversification, low costs, transparency, and tax efficiency that can help investors across the wealth spectrum grow their nest egg over the long run. The S&P 500 and total stock market index funds are safe choices for long-term retirement savers.
Direct indexing takes the benefits of traditional index funds further by allowing complete customization over portfolio holdings. It also provides high net worth investors with enhanced tax optimization and the ability to align investments with their values. While direct indexing costs more than basic index funds, the tax savings generally outweigh the fees for larger portfolios.
‍
Meet
Brent Boden
Hi there I’m Brent, I provide holistic financial guidance, covering budgeting, debt management, saving, investing, tax-saving strategies, and estate planning. I focus on empowering my clients. I help medical professionals manage their finances effectively while navigating debt, and savings, and achieving financial goals. I can’t wait to help you achieve your financial goals.
References
1 https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/indexfund.asp
2 https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-products/mutual-funds-and-exchange-traded-4
3 https://www.ici.org/reIndex Funds | Investor.govsearch/stats/trends/trends_12_22
4 https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-to-invest-in-index-funds
5 https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/15/active-fund-managers-trail-the-sp-500-for-the-ninth-year-in-a-row-in-triumph-for-indexing.html
6 https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/what-is-direct-indexing
7 https://www.morganstanley.com/articles/what-is-direct-indexing-benefits
8 https://wiserinvestor.com/how-direct-indexing-benefits-high-net-worth-individuals/
9 https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/what-is-direct-indexing
10 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/what-is-direct-indexing/
11 https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/direct-indexing-4b1563b7
12 https://wiserinvestor.com/how-direct-indexing-benefits-high-net-worth-individuals/
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