Which of the following will help the manager of an actively managed fund achieve superior returns?

The ability to process information faster and utilize superior models is crucial for an actively managed fund manager striving for superior returns. This approach enables the manager to analyze market data and company information more efficiently than competitors. By leveraging advanced analytical tools and models, the manager can identify investment opportunities and risks that others might overlook.

The speed and sophistication of processing information allow for timely decision-making, which is essential in a rapidly changing market environment. Moreover, better models can enhance the manager's understanding of complex relationships between various financial metrics and market dynamics, thus supporting more informed investment strategies.

In contrast, methods such as interpreting information the same way as the aggregate market participants or relying solely on traditional metrics do not typically lead to outperformance. These approaches are more likely to align with market consensus, making it difficult for a fund to achieve excess returns.