Active Funds or ETFs

What is the better investment?

ETFs and actively managed funds are the most popular ways to invest in capital markets. But how do they differ? What advantages do active funds offer compared to traditional ETFs? And what myths circulate about traditional ETFs? Here you will find a clear decision-making guide for your investment.

Comparison: How Active Funds Differ from Traditional ETFs

What are Active Funds?

  • Actively managed by experienced fund managers
  • Goal: Better performance than the market (Outperformance)
  • Flexible adjustments, individual security selection, and active risk management
  • Usually higher fees than traditional ETFs

What are ETFs?

  • Traditional ETFs track a stock market index
  • Goal: Participate in general market development
  • No active management – opportunities and risks similar to the underlying market
  • Low management fees

Myths About ETFs Fact-Checked

Myth: ETFs are always cheaper and better.

ETFs usually have lower fees – but long-term performance is what matters. Active fund managers can specifically seize opportunities and manage risks, instead of simply following the market. Therefore, well-managed active funds offer the possibility of significantly outperforming the market.

Myth: ETFs are safer than active funds.

Traditional ETFs rigidly track an index exactly – in good times and bad. Active fund managers can react flexibly during market turbulence and specifically limit losses.

Myth: ETFs offer the best risk diversification.

Many well-known indices are heavily concentrated in a few countries or companies. The MSCI World, for example, is heavily weighted towards the USA. This creates concentration risks that active funds can specifically avoid.

Myth: You can't go wrong with ETFs.

ETFs are not automatically a guarantee of success. Especially during difficult market phases, many investors exit – and thus miss important recovery phases. Experienced fund managers remain disciplined and act specifically counter-cyclically.

Myth: Buying ETFs automatically means passive investing.

Even those who invest in traditional ETFs make many active decisions – e.g., the choice of index, provider, and timing for buying or selling. Thus, every ETF strategy also has an active component, even though the fund itself passively tracks an index.

Myth: You have to choose between ETFs and active funds.

Often, the choice between an ETF and an active fund is presented as an “either/or”. In reality, both investment forms offer advantages that can be sensibly combined in a balanced portfolio.

Advantages of Active Funds

Actively managed funds are backed by financial experts who continuously monitor the fund and rebalance it as needed. ETFs track a stock market index and are not actively managed. Both can have advantages and disadvantages.

Active Risk Management

Professional fund managers actively manage the portfolio and can react quickly during market turbulence.

Opportunities for Outperformance

Targeted stock selection and active management offer the possibility to beat the market – especially during difficult phases.

Individual Strategy

Active funds focus on quality, specific trends, or sustainable criteria – and are not limited to a rigid index.

Conclusion

Buy ETF or Active Fund?

ETFs are an ideal basic investment for beginners and for broad diversification in a portfolio. However, for those who specifically want to benefit from market analysis and the experience of professionals, actively managed funds are an attractive option – with the chance to outperform the market and traditional ETFs.

Buy Active Funds with a Value Approach

With actively managed Value funds, you specifically invest in undervalued quality companies with substance. The Value approach has often proven robust, especially in times of crisis – and is also suitable for beginners.
For Regular Distributions

ACATIS Value und Dividende®

ISIN: AT0000A146T3 (Distributing)

ISIN: AT0000A2UTW8 (Accumulating)

Global dividend fund with a value strategy. The goal is long-term capital appreciation with stable annual distributions of 2–3%.

  • Invests specifically in dividend-strong
    quality stocks worldwide
  • Maximum 36 securities, average holding period
    approx. 4 years
  • Active management, low
    turnover frequency
  • Share Class A: Distributing | Share Class X:
    Accumulating
View Fund
For Long-Term Wealth Building

ACATIS Aktien Global Value Fonds

ISIN: AT0000A0KR36 (Accumulating)

Global equity fund that consistently invests in undervalued companies. The goal is significant long-term wealth accumulation.

  • Selects holdings based on shareholder value criteria
  • Focus on companies in healthcare, IT, and finance
  • Active management, very low turnover rate
  • Accumulating (automatic reinvestment
    of earnings)
View Fund

I have never invested before – what do I need to consider?

The best time to invest was 20 years ago. The second best time is now!

1. Set your goal

Consider what you want to invest for – for example, wealth accumulation, retirement planning, regular payouts, or a specific savings goal.

2. Define Strategy & Risk

Determine how much and for how long you want to invest. Especially important: How much risk can you accept?

3. Open a brokerage account

Open a securities account with a bank or an online broker. Important: Only with a brokerage account can you buy financial products such as funds, stocks, or ETFs.

4. Select & purchase suitable financial products

Choose funds or other investment products that match your strategy and risk profile. Execute purchases in your online brokerage account or through your bank.

5. Seek advice if unsure

Utilize independent advice if you are unsure about decisions or wish for support.

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