Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment insights, today announced the winner of the 2024 U.S. Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence “Outstanding Portfolio Manager.” The award process recognizes portfolio managers who Morningstar believes demonstrate the industry’s very best attributes, including investment skill and an alignment of interests with the strategies’ investors.

Morningstar announced three nominees for the Outstanding Portfolio Manager on May 1, 2024. In addition to Hart, they are the Loomis Sayles Global Allocation Team and Ford O’Neil of Fidelity Total Bond.

“Each of our 2024 nominees deserve praise for their impressive track records, structured yet flexible approaches, and their commitment to prioritizing the interests of investors above their own,” said Tim Strauts, Morningstar’s head of manager research, North America. “A step above the rest this year is Clare Hart, who has notably excelled through diligent, research-driven processes, establishing a high standard for managerial excellence.”

Outstanding Portfolio Manager: Clare Hart, JPMorgan

Clare Hart took over JPMorgan Equity Income in August 2004 where she established and maintains a long track record of strong investment philosophy and high performance. Since the start of Hart’s tenure, the fund has earned a 9.4% annualized gain, beating the large value Morningstar category and the Russell 1000 Value Index by more than a percentage point.

As lead manager, Hart has favored established companies that pay reliable dividends, giving shareholders exposure to yield-rich, value-leaning sectors. Hart’s competitive advantage lies in her ability to steer the fund away from areas and stocks that have enticing yields but deficient business models.

“In Clare’s two-decade tenure leading JPMorgan Equity Income, she has employed a prudent investment approach with investors’ best interests in mind,” said Todd Trubey, senior manager research analyst at Morningstar. “Clare built a fund that is easy to own and has navigated bear markets well. With her retirement this fall, she is leaving a legacy marked by exceptional stewardship for investors.”

Read more about Clare Hart and her work with JPMorgan Equity Income on Morningstar.com here.

Morningstar has granted annual awards to accomplished portfolio managers since 1988. The Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence winners are chosen based on research and in-depth qualitative evaluation by Morningstar’s manager research group. To qualify for the Outstanding Portfolio Manager Award, the manager’s strategy must currently earn a Morningstar Medalist Rating of Gold or Silver for at least one vehicle and/or share class. For more information about Morningstar Awards, visit https://go.morningstar.com/Morningstar-Awards.

Source: Morningstar