Did the writer even look at the chart he listed? The paragraph right after the table said this:
Vanguard’s funds never win.
Not only do they never win, but they’re almost never in the top spot for any of these three metrics. We do see VSMAX, VIMAX, VDADX and VLCAX beating out the CEF alternatives over a three-year time period—but one can ignore this entirely and just buy the DNP Select Income Fund (DNP), whose 11.01% total return over the last three years beats VSMAX, VIMAX, VDADX and VLCAX.
Um... Within the chart there were four Vanguard funds that had higher 3 year returns over their peer group. And several who had high one year returns with 3 year returns of less than 3% and 2 which were negative! Also, what would the results be if he compared the Vanguard Admiral shares rather than the investor shares?
As for the DNP suggestion. 1.86% Total ER, 1.04% adjusted ER, 26.11% Leverage. While you could get steady, consistent returns from the investments held by DNP the ER and overpaying for the NAV makes Vanguard Index funds look better.
eta: glad to read the comments and all of them being very critical of the writer and his conclusions!
