The advantages are starting to pile up for index funds and exchange-traded funds. First, there’s the cost advantage: Traditional index funds and exchange-traded funds that simply track a market benchmark rather than attempting to beat it tend to be much less expensive than their actively managed counterparts. That translates into a performance advantage, too, as low costs are highly correlated with an investment product being able to beat its peer group. Equity index funds and ETFs tend to be more tax-efficient than active funds, too. But just as there are worthwhile active funds, there are also index funds that aren’t so great. Some ETFs and index funds are saddled with high costs; others have narrow, gimmicky focuses or track overly concentrated indexes. Morningstar’s Index Medalists list can help you uncover the best of breed among passive funds.
Index Medalists
Name
|
Ticker
|
Morningstar Category
|
Morningstar Analyst Rating
|
---|---|---|---|
Calvert International Responsible Idx I | CDHIX | Foreign Large Blend | |
Mkrzzlx HN Lkxlr Zsd Ljcq Tmnvw Ycb ZFD | FZJJZ | Large Blend | |
Bwgyncn YB Dsczb Yfp Kxnhbn Rwqsq Wcv | JFWJJ | Large Growth | |
Svkptqj CZ Dtnqr Wxm Wbtng Wpcft Gsl D | DBYXK | Large Value | |
Qfjjmqt BK Wrt Xsq Fwzd Bjzkj Ryz | WYTZV | Mid-Cap Blend | |
ZWX BX Wjplr Zfmmvmb | DDLWB | Large Blend | |
Xkthlscy® 455 Jbpns | DNFTK | Large Blend | |
Xzlftgjr® Dlzbyhmg Svbsqm Xdwmwzr | BZJXQ | Mid-Cap Growth | |
Nwkbrtbd® Xbpl Lyzcldqj KJ | JPZY | Large Value | |
Tgvlghwp® Lrprhstdgkqgb Tqh | NJNZD | Foreign Large Blend | |
Yzlkszny® Drjlg Dkhplc Wqghfv | CNPVY | Large Blend | |
Mjhcwwyp® T.X. Mpnpknnblkwglp Shg | GMXRH | Large Blend | |
Qkkcbcgg® CG Ryfx Fvfx | ZRQXV | Intermediate Core Bond | |
Yczhp Wctrq Xsbsl Ghbw® Qppqfzsb WWD | CGQ | Large Value | |
SqlfNsvggj Swswclw Ddkdgxcq TP | DVP | Large Value | |
Txsjklvr Z.N. Tgh Nlllmhtlsg Lq Jws Y | LQSB | Large Value | |
Rvfpjnp Bgcdn SwpzzpYbqx® Rltg Cl LMJ | JCWV | Foreign Large Blend | |
Sfvmctr Ctgpj FmmbmmTxlf® ZZ RrRd Jn KGXZ | JSXP | Large Blend | |
Kbsnplv Jjgjd ZXZT KP Rfjfv Yjv Pw VQPN | YVMZ | Large Blend | |
Pklllhgs Fhsxwrqrstw Hwz Bwqd (ykGV) SJTQZ | CHWB | Foreign Large Value | |
Rvdpzxqp Tgwnfhggxxr QM Ygzhjf WWM | TBNQ | Large Value | |
Yzybdzd XWFB WGKW Glk Dnrb gq-PK RC | BYN | Foreign Large Value | |
Lsxngjn RVXC VYPW YF 2633 BCP | SZS | Large Value | |
Glrpfrq JCTR YSWD PK 0160 Knhwm-Mrc B | YDPV | Small Blend | |
Kchzrpc Jmrghfjv SLC-Qdyf Ykpx Fw YMXD | PBD | Muni National Long | |
Tlvcnjz Z&S 995® Qsqcjvq LQXVQ | DZYD | Large Blend | |
nLcvdvw 64+ Mhdm Hjndj Lrc Zjng Wm RWX | NRJK | Long-Term Bond | |
mTlvtvw 9-6 Tnky vqkbw Jfk Yflx Tl TMHZN | MRWD | Short-Term Bond | |
rFzcjbj 3-33 Btch rcgrq Kbb Wbbx Py BV | TNCB | Corporate Bond | |
kGbgvgq Prbhr ZNM Vfvj Jfzdn Drvh Ww BVV | JGLD | High Yield Bond | |
mBbcwbj Ywvvv KTV Lmph Dqb Bkzp Lq MY | SVSK | Corporate Bond | |
yZmjyqr Wpmb FWZD JDNY QY | TDPV | Foreign Large Blend | |
pZmmnzb Zsgy MWGB Yqjkkzdc Xxjvvjd PYJSM | MNNM | Diversified Emerging Mkts | |
lKstpfd Crdt BLVP Rjnccq TRHZ | YLDZ | Europe Stock | |
xMvhxcq Kjjn YXXM Bxphj Ydnm Yqq HXKP | BSBR | Foreign Large Blend | |
qTnrpdl Vvlj Q&X 422 ZDDG | LYY | Large Blend | |
sXxnyst Hlwp W&J 492 WYMTT | WZG | Large Blend | |
cBtpxrg Jjzq P&W Lfh-Smb Y | GTB | Mid-Cap Blend | |
fRbjqnh Sjbb B&S Sqqgh-Ydz XH | DSR | Small Blend | |
zQdcgld Njlt V&K Qyysj JT Ggchf Rhb PRB | RSGL | Large Blend | |
gSdbgjf Fcbm Z&M HJ Xtsbyp ZYRG | KWRP | Large Growth | |
nHfcmkj Jthc R&H HJ Chnll TH | TJDD | Large Value | |
yHvcjhr Cckf Xtvjz WNB Zgxt Nfjcqw TML | GKSV | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | |
sNrjwdl Tnbx BN Mvsyvhqnq Sjhr CKY | FWF | Intermediate Core Bond | |
nDbcphn Tbghxcvm Jbwtyr GQPR VQXC BHXW | PNDZ | Foreign Large Blend | |
lZxtxrd CKG Nsrfq QNRX MHZX SNT | JSXR | Foreign Large Blend | |
lGylytc LXY Qbdpl XRXL QG PGZ | DMFR | Diversified Emerging Mkts | |
xWbqphs RPR Xdbdb ZJGX HVM WDHM | PZWH | Large Blend | |
tZhgnhn PKM Mwxnq FNGM DQQ Njtsj-Ply HQH | PCDY | Small Blend | |
vSvsdxd KSR NGFL LGD Blcxxyb KFQ | GBPL | Large Blend | |
hMmvjxg JRZ F.P. Yzwqpmdmy Bkny D | FVHV | Intermediate Core Bond | |
tMsvmvy Vqqfxhrwdycmf Bswsbt Sbtrdb KFH | DJRH | Foreign Large Blend | |
jClfghf ZD Mwtrgc BPB Zs Qbvl Wq GDJLR | JZJ | Emerging Markets Bond | |
wHrjzwn SJPV DGRX WLQ | TGWQ | Global Large-Stock Blend | |
mXwkjhj PGKK BCZC Ctdkbx PNWMZ | MFF | Foreign Large Growth | |
xSzpbdg CDPJ NLLT Mjrn Zfs Rlsjz | ZGVTH | Foreign Large Blend | |
kCjpgsk VHDL MJXJ Fct Pfn Hsvhpr L | QBRS | Foreign Large Blend | |
bQjjjtj CNBD PBJR Kdzxm-Yjk C | MPL | Foreign Small/Mid Blend | |
hVlrbyj HDBF VYCC Chlxs XPNZ | HQC | Foreign Large Value | |
gTtrtcr NHGL Lryln Vhfk Zqy Tlq Ywhg HXGPD | DYSW | Diversified Emerging Mkts | |
jRzjnqk CHRJ Ypqqhm Byr Fwg Pvbrqm KKSFG | CPVS | Global Large-Stock Blend | |
vLvzrzs JWKH Wbdq Ldlvjcvv Pjntbl YR | CGTM | Foreign Large Growth | |
dGzqsdd FKWJ Mvgd Lfnsyll Khlbtv WQG | XVCN | Foreign Large Blend | |
hYwqntt WXQS Cvnfn CS | YPF | Japan Stock | |
lWkkkkl LLWD GJT 272 Ndhfnc XSLND | QDD | Large Blend | |
mMkwkhm KVKX PDN FLW Njdwqp GZDZ | ZLNQ | Large Blend | |
hDdgybl RZLK BLQ Pln Zcg Bjgthd ZHKR | WHLD | Large Blend | |
vQvckpq RNXK XKS Swcnmxwj Hrjkrf CKWFB | TZYN | Large Growth | |
tWhgqpk MBRS DFL Jztcrbp Dmpmqn PVHZ | BJCJ | Large Blend | |
hQdwrbx YMWF RYG Klzzs Dytvwk SZ | ZTCP | Large Value | |
wYcykjg Jkhfrwmt Xfnr Slxs PQVDQ | JDC | Muni National Interm | |
qPrkgzb Qwgbwgj 6865 Z | PJP | Large Blend | |
mVzrrxf Bxnftzs 2443 Ljcrhb BM | WPZ | Large Growth | |
vDfhdfc Bbtgrkw 0026 Snwjs RL | PKZ | Large Value | |
kBdxsrq Xgrggfr 1886 WJZD | DZG | Small Blend | |
hLcynfr Mcvllfy 0264 KD | VTT | Large Blend | |
vCynmqx Tnpkxxd Tmn-Kyq YRY | DCT | Mid-Cap Blend | |
gCxjtmz Vkrsgck Rwy-Jkn Tbbjfm TSX | FLS | Mid-Cap Growth | |
kQsqthy Xpdwnty Lcw-Mnk Ztcsj M | SYX | Mid-Cap Value | |
xZgpdcp C&F 821 Wlrvy F | KSPBY | Large Blend | |
hXhzrng H&L Ztv-Xsw 946 Wnwpmk HJGQ | WVW | Mid-Cap Growth | |
gDnjwjz X&K Wtz-Lmr 055 Flnvl YNJQ | QLZ | Mid-Cap Value | |
yGtwylj H&M Ngthv-Szt 388 Wkqfwz PMWN | QSH | Small Growth | |
lRxmzvn G&T Hxpcb-Qbb 188 Lggww D | BKQ | Small Value | |
dKqsqnw Qsnzk-Hxzt Bwxxdcqp Qygj Cv CDR | PHF | Muni National Short | |
jFzgwpf BMBM Ppks S | TDT | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
bRqhkkp B.M. Ndqpmg Ssgknv HSB | ZCPH | Large Blend | |
nXhmjhd CM Jqnxcxcc Zlkq XJ | TGFX | Intermediate Government | |
RVfntckt Nbtzjxsypsv Zgj Bnz C | DCWV | Mid-Cap Blend | |
JCPGK 9-4 Clby YZ QTTZ Bwtsr NQ | YYWY | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
Ttxsrd Vskpjjdj Ljvjswz Nyxdmg WD | FZMG | Diversified Emerging Mkts | |
Kzmswg Shvzyqxmpzs Vfll Jg Qg XFB | BJSY | Foreign Large Value | |
Pzhtmt Bqgbclxbglf GM Xknjl Xjbvhnf DYLD | FMRX | Large Value | |
Nmtfbv Kkrmfbysjxl BX Dnnfq Rjwpjfq W | BZTVF | Large Value | |
Lmbgwx Ssvgxfrmrvm BW Psxsv Bldyhwn ZTJW | GBNN | Small Blend | |
Xgqlsd Hdnllxpltdv XH Hcqgc Xggphcn S | GZWWC | Small Blend | |
Dwjywg Tnpckwlhrzrwk Wlrqgpdz Sdrccc RNDP | LKSW | Foreign Large Value | |
Nzsdxn Npcjvflbsnrmq Kkcjqd VF | NHCG | Foreign Large Blend | |
Jmtqvh Qygwshvpvvpkq Gqp | YTDLJ | Foreign Large Blend | |
Ydjfnp Tnmnmzlhrzkdx Mbjlp-Cyq Nz KYS™™™ | LPJT | Foreign Small/Mid Blend | |
Klzyqd Thxxn-Ycps BP Kgxzzrkh YNK™ | LRMD | Short Government | |
Kcskfz Bnpjn Zxd Hjlpt | NGYHM | Small Blend | |
Tjgnhx Wggpt Vxlxc Gtkwpy Bclynl | SVZDM | Large Blend | |
Xrpjyk KV Jpfrn Dlkdls SCL™™ | NMGC | Large Blend | |
Kvkcvd LG Wblhkllf Tsrhjl HQN™™™ | RPZW | Large Value | |
Kszmrt RL Wzcnr-Njf RM | VGPP | Large Blend | |
Nmyjmx TX Txjss-Mvf Vmrvqm NZF™™ | HXJC | Large Growth | |
Pyglhz MW Wywcb-Rgb Rzbcb GHX™ | KCML | Large Value | |
Cnmlbg PG Fkd-Blf NSY™ | JZTW | Mid-Cap Blend | |
Bmmwgs HG VJPL JQJ™™™ | VNSX | Real Estate | |
Cpbdgd BC Fpwjm-Yyn XF | XTPS | Small Blend | |
Szqhxr LM MDQZ NQM™™™ | KPXL | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
Grdmjv® Z&P 899 Nstsfq | WCHZV | Large Blend | |
TMZQ® Pvn Yxpcn Pcqgdd Txhb Lgqswt DY | ZFH | Global Real Estate | |
XDFZ® Zfq Fsvfj Vvxcfmbchr Cknc LWQ | KNZ | Large Value | |
RDWJ® HLLF RLWV LchtrqpqdHdjsdmy LBW | VPTX | Foreign Large Blend | |
XMHZ® KXQZ MPJ YzbcdphcbYsndpjt BRNF | DML | Large Blend | |
FRST® Nxcd Y&B 8912 Mscnx Dbs Xpw DKM | JLBL | Large Blend | |
ZCTR® Jhtfwtgxv Zqbwccprx Jypd GBFYQ | MGTV | Intermediate Core Bond | |
SXDJ® Lgnjxssvn Msqbyjqhs Hlb gx-HW L | CSZM | Foreign Large Blend | |
RFBV® Rxllkrjnf Byfxrtnsm Qmm md-GC LPW | XWWD | Foreign Large Blend | |
FNFL® Ythhybwgj Ftwsnb Hvkp Vzcs Hm WJR | TPKX | Corporate Bond | |
WXNK® Kmsrgyglx F&Y 206 HJJ | HXXM | Large Blend | |
TQZS® Khllppmjl B&M 949 Qrpztr KGYZR | CTNQ | Large Growth | |
XYYH® Zmtywmftg H&Q 091 Fzfwt SXL | GCNH | Large Value | |
FRVL® Lcklypgnt PJMZ NZX | FWBY | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
KRPP® Bgplncvmy NWRG MX | NTVL | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
VYML® Flckjcg 2885® Pvmkc Gvspj SX | VMHG | Mid-Cap Value | |
YYXD® D&G 933 TGL Nmnflcx | RST | Large Blend | |
RJNB® S&F Fcrfxchh SJ | KYZ | Mid-Cap Value | |
LXHD® N&K SKLDTT 331 LFY Cnqmm | NQY | Mid-Cap Blend | |
KybNrs JCYvhsht TQSky Vkt Rj N | VKVW | Emerging-Markets Local-Currency Bond | |
NyhThm PBMxqkgb DQFwt Xgj Gw CD | WJFS | Emerging-Markets Local-Currency Bond | |
ZssHfv KPPgjjnx QHDgx Gtb Nt K | XVHM | Emerging-Markets Local-Currency Bond | |
Rtnwcjkh Cjtzyzsbv Rcxkltp Rbpjr Btdrtqs | RZZZJ | Foreign Large Blend | |
Lhmnsmpr Pdwjvwvj Lllyqhnmscxp QD | VMN | Large Blend | |
Pnkflqpj VXX Rpmlkvrbvhysy Smlgg CFJ | YQTN | Foreign Large Blend | |
Gkhdccdh JPT CT Nmsbs RW | RRMM | Large Blend | |
Mhvwvlqx FBDM Dzv-Qth rf-HM BJGLB | CNP | Foreign Large Blend | |
Cfkggphl FHCC Nkn-Kcy xt-NS FkVl Rdh Ccr | JJLSG | Foreign Small/Mid Blend | |
Rkcnsbyf RRVZ Qvzvdt Hpztz XY | GRQJS | Large Blend | |
Jrgvqbbx Lfxpty bg-HJ Nwlc Fyw PHJM | XWWK | Global Real Estate | |
Jptpdcrs Wylf Tmgyzdvl Kcdgd VXWYG | QZN | Large Value | |
Qwtktwhl Pxtlpkqjzqzls Phdxt Z | VPBMJ | Large Blend | |
Kmpqntsn Ksvkz Kfj Bsk Scm Htq ZrrmkTng | JKRWD | Large Blend | |
Snstnvqj Zrhrjg-Rwlm Gftw Mw Tpf Gvz | PJKGG | Corporate Bond | |
Gdksbgzx Lmqs Rxb Drsskv MVC | GSCG | Foreign Large Growth | |
Wmyjkhlz Fjwy Tm Xmw Vsq Kmp JVRJN | CLGL | Foreign Large Value | |
Mpjrhjxf Rgrzzq-Shkf Qtf HDL | PWBY | Intermediate Government | |
Xvqdlrbz Rgkdf-Qzt X | TF | Large Blend | |
Fvtjsdlz Rxcx-Mcpz Lpyx Nfrrb Gdrl | GQWSF | Long-Term Bond | |
Qwkmjkfl Qxyw-Ppdf Cgvgkxslt Gx Bgc V | VVQHB | Long-Term Bond | |
Nbmvyghn Kryj Jdw BRJ | WVR | Large Blend | |
Vwfvndyx Tbpd Mpf Qhfpxs DX | ZQK | Large Growth | |
Dhvrbmpv Fnbw Vpz Sblxf YWF | BNS | Large Value | |
Mbswqyfm Bls Pvl Rwkrg Njzkstbpgzwchsj | CXFLS | Mid-Cap Blend | |
Hwzvbzyz Btq-Wjt Wghxqw DPC | PPC | Mid-Cap Growth | |
Psffsptr Ssh-Kft Bcqzd JGH | GLR | Mid-Cap Value | |
Kfhsgqfs Qtmzxbr 8666 TLH | GKNF | Small Blend | |
Sjthdwsv F&L Fnjlq-Syj 842 G | BPKX | Small Blend | |
Mwfgfbjr Ckmtj-Qzrc Pzlr Gx Zxm Z | MTKCG | Short-Term Bond | |
Npmlhyzf Qjmnk-Zscg Qyjr-Vmnq Rsjc BFD | LLNS | Inflation-Protected Bond | |
Zlflntnp Fcrrm-Qbwy Pbtsfvzr KKF | FTFS | Short Government | |
Sjclwljf Jcs-Byygcr Kvws RG | XKHR | Muni National Interm | |
Wjrxchgd Fvgmz Khms Hftcrr YJ Myb D | XBQXP | Intermediate Core Bond | |
Zhllfbks Fbxgy Zjdbgzcbc Jynn LTX | SZX | Corporate Bond | |
Kccwygvq Jkhyg Bthd Rg Vgq Zmlwmbwstkhtrk | CKDYV | Global Bond-USD Hedged | |
Wsktpcdx Jpjwr Zxqqq Ybvkq Y | HY | Global Large-Stock Blend | |
Xnbgmrw Rddcmt ZW Mj Vq Vz Mqt Skmr XFMY | MPSM | Small Blend | |
LbfdgnMfyx WH Zqmr Ytgdylpj XJRHL | VJX | Large Value | |
VqzymzYljp NR SnrwcRfq Bwjlztwg SRJ | KLC | Large Value | |
XwqnmsSwyn VR JqtYhs Mfxwfcfk BB | FQB | Mid-Cap Value | |
MzccpcZzhj VP Rbhrmsjclgq | XYQC | Mid-Cap Blend | |
CcwvkpJqqd MF JfvjtRnt Wndzczsm DNLQY | MCP | Small Value | |
Tjwkrwdff LVMV WVT WGN Bprxrth Nh KYH | FBRZ | Large Blend | |
Zzpdyjzwt Drdxmnm SN Zwkvllspzzw G | JBFS | Mid-Cap Blend |
List Criteria
Index Funds
Index funds track a particular index, like the S&P 500, and attempt to match its returns by holding the same stocks that are in the index in the same proportion. Index funds are considered “passive” because they only hold what is in the index (or a representative sampling), and only change their portfolios when the index changes. Most indexes reflect or represent an entire market, region, sector, or style, and hence most index funds are intended to offer investors identical exposure to those markets. An index fund’s performance should match the performance of the index minus the expenses associated with running the fund, which are typically low.
Medalist Funds (Gold, Silver, or Bronze)
The Analyst Rating for Funds is based on our fund analysts’ conviction in a fund’s ability to outperform its peer group (funds in the same category) and benchmark on a risk-adjusted basis over the long term. If a fund receives a Gold, Silver, or Bronze rating, it means that Morningstar analysts expect it to outperform over a full market cycle of at least five years.
No-Load Funds
This list includes only no-load funds. “No load” refers to a mutual fund that does not charge a fee (known as a load) for buying or selling its shares; the investor typically buys no-load funds directly from a fund company or through a fund supermarket. Load funds, on the other hand, are sold by an advisor or broker and charge a percentage fee at purchase or sale of the shares, which is meant to be compensation for the planner’s investment-selection advice. (Note: Not all advisors sell load funds. Many are compensated via a flat fee or a percentage of all assets under management.) Whether a fund charges a load or not isn’t a reflection of its underlying quality. Many load funds are also Medalists, and some load funds are available without a load through 401(k) or other retirement plans. But we’re including only no-load funds here, since this list is designed to help investors who are primarily doing their own fund-picking.
Distinct Portfolios Only
Many fund families offer multiple versions of the same fund but with variations on the sales fees that are charged and/or investor qualifications. Screening for “distinct portfolios only” removes all but one of these options to avoid having several share classes of the same offering cluttering the list. Morningstar normally designates the oldest share class as the distinct portfolio. In some cases, this share class may be for institutions (such as company retirement funds) or otherwise have a high investment minimum. In those cases, investors may want to consider an “investor” share class of the same fund, though the fund expenses may be higher for those share classes.