Morningstar Crowns 2025’s Top U.S. Investing Titans – Who Made the Cut?
Wall Street's report card just dropped—and the teacher's pets are feasting.
Morningstar's U.S. Investing Excellence Awards spotlight the fund managers who actually delivered alpha while everyone else was playing ETF bingo. This year's winners navigated rate hikes, AI hype cycles, and at least three 'once-in-a-generation' market crises since breakfast.
Active management's last stand? Maybe. But try telling that to the teams printing performance fees while passive investors fight over basis points.
Bonus cynicism: Somewhere, a hedge fund manager is framing this award next to their 'Participant' ribbon from 2008.

Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investing insights, announced the winners of the 2025 U.S. Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence. The awards recognize portfolio managers and asset management firms that demonstrate excellent investment skill, the courage to differ from the consensus to benefit investors, and a commitment to aligning their interests with those of their investors.
The 2025 winners are:
- Outstanding Portfolio Manager – Equity: Will Danoff, Fidelity
- Outstanding Portfolio Manager – Fixed Income: Bryan Krug, Artisan Partners
- Outstanding Portfolio Manager – Allocation: David Giroux, T. Rowe Price
- Exemplary Stewardship (Firmwide): Dimensional Fund Advisors
“At a time of complex and uncertain markets, investor outcomes rely on sound judgment, skilled active management, and strong stewardship,” said Timothy Strauts, head of manager research, North America. “This year’s award winners have delivered impressive results by staying grounded in their research-driven investment processes. We’re proud to recognize their work and the value they’ve created for investors.”
Read Morningstar’s profile on each winner and highlights of their work on Morningstar.com.
Source: Morningstar