In the Canadian equity category, the poor results of commodity-based stocks translated into weakness in other sectors, such as financials. Still, one person’s problem is often another’s opportunity: Lower oil prices and lower interest rates leave more spending money in consumer’s pockets, while the low Canadian dollar encourages exports. As a result, portfolio managers who concentrate on the consumer, technology or industrial (non-oil related) sectors have fared better and will continue to do so, at least for a good part of this year.

Such is the case with Fidelity Canadian Large Cap, a consistent top performer that regularly appears in my fund selections. The actively managed fund has responded to weakness in the energy and materials sectors by emphasizing investments in technology and industrials.

Likewise, Steadyhand Equity has gained from light exposure to resources and from a healthy allocation to U.S. equities, which continue to benefit from the U.S. dollar appreciation. The fund is fairly diversified and operates with a low cost structure and moderate portfolio turnover.

Canadian Equity Funds

Benchmark index: S&P/TSX Composite Index TR, Five-year return: 3.77%

In the U.S. equity category, do not be fooled by the very strong results achieved by some funds over the past year. The results can be attributed to the U.S. dollar appreciation, as the S&P 500 ended 2015 almost flat on a currency-neutral basis. This proves a point I made last year: that diversifying into U.S. equities is important for Canadian investors. For a number of years now, heavy equity market losses have been accompanied by depreciation of the Canadian dollar. I expect the Canadian dollar will remain weak until we see concrete signs of recovery in commodity prices.

As the name suggests, TD U.S. Quantitative Equity uses a data-driven methodology for fund selection, although its behaviour suggests a high degree of similarity with the S&P 500. Still, the combination of low cost and low turnover has helped the fund deliver superior returns for three consecutive years. There is also evidence of some added value from active management.

Both Mawer U.S. Equity and Brandes U.S. Equity operate with the same favourable combination of low cost and low turnover. However, the funds exhibit a high degree of similarity with the S&P 500, thus limiting their ability to beat the index.

U.S. Equity Funds

Benchmark index: S&P 500 TR Index (C$), Five-year return: 20.57%

