Best Managed Funds of the Year

CFA Society Philippines Recognizes 20 Best Managed Funds at the Vision 2025.

 


Makati City, Philippines – February 28, 2025 – CFA Society Philippines celebrated excellence in fund management by recognizing 20 best managed funds at the highly anticipated “Vision 2025”. Held at Discovery Primea Makati, the prestigious event honored funds that demonstrated superior performance based on key metrics, such as risk-adjusted returns for actively managed funds and tracking error for index funds. Marking its 10th year, the annual awards continue to serve as a benchmark of quality in the investment industry, attracting participation from 16 investment houses and trust institutions. This year, 170 qualified funds vied for recognition across multiple categories. The winners were determined by the CFAP Fund of the Year Committee through a meticulous evaluation of investment data submitted by participating institutions. Notably, this year’s awards introduced new categories focusing on global feeder funds along with local money market and thematic funds, further expanding the potential investment opportunities for Filipino retail investors.

List of 2025 Best Managed Fund of the Year Award Winners:

Money Market Funds using pure FVPL valuation:

  • Money Market Fund (Peso - FVPL) – Chinabank Cash Fund
  • Money Market Fund (Dollar - FVPL) – BPI US Dollar Short Term Fund

Money Market Funds using pure HTM valuation:

  • Money Market Fund (Peso - HTM) – Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund

Intermediate-Term Bond Funds using pure FVPL valuation:

  • Bond - IT (Peso - FVPL) – PNB Profit Peso Bond Fund
  • Bond - IT (USD - FVPL) – Metro$ Short Term Bond Fund

Medium-Term Bond Funds using pure FVPL valuation:

  • Bond - MT (Peso - FVPL) – AUB Peso Investment Fund
  • Bond - MT (Dollar - FVPL) – AUB Gold Dollar Fund

Medium-Term Bond Funds using pure HTM valuation:

  • Bond - MT (Peso - HTM) – ALFM Peso Bond Fund

Long-Term Bond Funds using pure FVPL valuation:

  • Bond - LT (Peso - FVPL) – SB Peso Bond Fund
  • Bond - LT (Dollar - FVPL) – Chinabank Dollar Fixed Income Fund

Balanced Fund using pure FVPL valuation:

  • Balanced (Peso - FVPL) – AB Capital Balanced Fund
  • Balanced (Dollar - FVPL) – Sun Life Dollar Advantage Fund

Equity Funds:

  • Equity (Peso) – Metro High Dividend Yield Fund
  • Equity (Dollar) – BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds

Local Equity PSE Index Funds:

  • Equity Index (Peso) – SB Philippine Equity Index Fund

Global Equity Feeder Funds:

  • Global Equity Feeder (Peso) – ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund
  • Global Equity Feeder (Dollar) – BPI Invest European Equity Feeder Fund

Local Equity Thematic Funds:

  • Local Equity Thematic (Peso) – BPI Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index Fund

Global Fixed Income Feeder Funds:

  • Global Fixed Income Feeder (Dollar) – Metro$ US Investment Grade Corporate Bond Feeder Fund

Global Equity Index Feeder Funds:

  • Global Equity Index Feeder (Dollar) – BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund

The search was open to all peso- and dollar-denominated Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) and Mutual Funds (MFs) accessible to retail investors. Institutional funds were excluded from consideration.

Commitment to Excellence in Fund Management

CFA Society Philippines congratulates the winners of the Best Managed Funds of the Year Awards! More than just a recognition ceremony, it also acts as a quality benchmark for retail investors, highlighting funds that consistently manage risk and deliver strong returns. We believe that it does not only builds investor confidence but also drives fund managers to consistently maintain high standards, ensuring that retail investors have reliable options when entrusting their hard-earned money in building a financially-secure future for their families.” Mr. John Balce, CFA, President and Chairman of CFA Society Philippines said. “Consistent with our advocacy of promoting investor education and excellence in the industry, CFA Society Philippines is pleased to present these awards to deserving funds, particularly with the addition of new categories that expand the investment universe for Filipinos. These recognitions aim to help investors make informed decisions in growing their hard-earned money,” added Mr. Mark Ilao, CFA, CIPM, Committee Head of the Best Managed Fund Awards.

 

Dissecting Managed Funds: A Closer Look at the Best Managed Funds of the Year

 

In a recent interview, last April 30, 2024, on ANC Business Outlook, Mark Jasson Ilao, CFA, Committee Chair of Best Managed Funds of the Year, provided a comprehensive overview of the initiative's advocacy and methodology. The interview, hosted by Salve Duplito and Ron Cruz, delved into the inception of the program nine years ago and its evolution into a prestigious recognition of excellence in fund management.

The Best Managed Funds of the Year program, spearheaded by CFA Society Philippines, aims to identify and celebrate funds that have demonstrated exceptional performance metrics relative to their peers. Ilao emphasized the importance of recognizing professionally-managed funds that deliver high risk-adjusted returns, highlighting the value these funds bring to investors.

During the interview, Ilao explained the meticulous methodology used in selecting the winners. With 136 qualified funds from 17 institutions, the competition was fierce. Funds were evaluated based on their Sortino ratio for actively-managed funds and Tracking Error relative to the PSEi for index funds over five-year and three-year periods. This rigorous evaluation process ensured that only the most outstanding funds were recognized across seven categories.

Ilao also shared the winners of the Best Managed Funds of the Year 2024. The winners spanned various categories, including Intermediate Term Bond Funds, Medium Term Bond Funds, Long Term Bond Funds, Balanced Funds, Equity Funds, Equity Index Funds, and Global Equity Feeder Funds.

Overall, the interview provided valuable insights into the Best Managed Funds of the Year program and highlighted the industry's dedication to excellence and professionalism. As CFA Society Philippines continues to advocate for excellence in the financial industry, initiatives like the Best Managed Funds of the Year play a crucial role in recognizing and promoting best practices in fund management.

Watch the whole interview below. (Interview starts at 8:00 mark)

PAST WINNERS 

YEAR Peso Medium-Term Bond Fund  (FVPL Valuation) Dollar Medium-Term Bond Fund  (FVPL Valuation) Dollar Medium-Term Bond Fund  (HTM Valuation) Peso Long-Term Bond Fund (FVPL Valuation) Dollar Long-Term Bond Fund (FVPL Valuation) Dollar Long-Term Bond Fund (HTM Valuation) Peso Balanced Fund Dollar Balanced Fund Peso Equity Fund Dollar Equity Fund  Bond - IT (Peso  FVPL)  Bond - IT (Dollar - FVPL) M Equity Index Category
(Peso) 
Global Equity Feeder
(Peso)  
Global Equity Feeder
(Dollar)
 
2024 Landbank Medium-Term Bond Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund - SB Peso Bond Fund China Bank Dollar Fund AB Capital Balanced Fund  Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund BPI Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index
Fund 
BPI Invest Global Equity Fund-of-Funds Metro Max-3 Bond Fund Metro$ Max-3 Bond Fund  SB Philippine Equity Index Fund ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund  BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund  
2023 China Bank Intermediate Fixed Income Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund   RCBC Peso Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund   Odyssey Diversified Balanced Fund   PNB HIgh Dividend Fund Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund            
2022 China Bank Intermediate Fixed Income Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund ALFM Dollar Bond Fund SB Peso Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund - UnionBank PHP Balanced Fund - ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2021 ATRAM Total Return Peso Bond Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund ALFM Dollar Bond Fund SB Peso Bond Fund Odyssey Philippine Dollar Bond Fund - UnionBank PHP Balanced Fund Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund Rizal Equity Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2020 Unionbank PHP Fixed Income Portfolio ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund - EastWest Peso Long Term Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund ALFM Dollar Bond Fund Rizal Balanced Fund - AUB Equity Investment Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2019 Metro Max - 3 Bond Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund - UCPB Peso Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund - BPI Balanced Fund - ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2018 AUB Peso Investment Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund - UCPB Peso Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund - China Bank Balanced Fund - AUB Equity Investment Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2017 EastWest Peso Intermediate Term Bond Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund - SB Peso Bond Fund Chinabank Dollar Fund First Metro Save & Learn Fixed Income Fund ATRAM Philippine Balance Fund - Philequity Fund BPI Global Equity Fund-of-Funds            
2016 ALFM Peso Bond Fund AUB Gold Dollar Fund - Odyssey Peso Bond Fund CBC Dollar Fund - SB Peso Asset Variety Fund - Philequity Fund -