RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Better-of-Two Strategy for Active versus Passive Management: The Option Value of Active through Time JF The Journal of Portfolio Management FD Institutional Investor Journals SP jpm.2021.1.314 DO 10.3905/jpm.2021.1.314 A1 Steve Fox A1 P. Brett Hammond YR 2021 UL https://pm-research.com/content/early/2021/12/08/jpm.2021.1.314.1.abstract AB Instead of forcing a choice between active and passive portfolios, we create a better-of-two option to (1) calculate active management’s value and (2) find the optimal weights for an active-plus-passive portfolio that dynamically replicates this option through time. To replicate the option at a 10-year horizon, the strategy initially allocates roughly 60% to the active asset. Using historical returns and 60/40 portfolios, ending wealth distributions in excess of the all-passive portfolio using the better-of-two strategy significantly exceeded those of an all-active strategy with superior downside protection. Investors could implement this strategy with institutional or individual separate accounts, institutional funds, or a single fund with passive and active subportfolios.