Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 13.68% | -5.05% | -5.05% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 13.68% | -5.05% | -5.05% |
Baron Focused Growth Fund declined 4.99% in Q1 2026 versus 3.52% loss for Russell 2500 Growth Index, primarily due to AI concerns affecting software holdings and Iran war worries impacting consumer-focused investments. However, SpaceX acquisition of xAI at significantly higher valuation provided strong positive contribution. Portfolio companies continue generating strong growth and cash flow with balance sheets below targeted leverage levels, enabling additional buybacks. Accelerated insider purchases across multiple holdings including Verisk, Birkenstock, Vail, FactSet, MSCI, Figma, and CoStar reinforce management confidence in attractive valuations. Fund increased positions in many stocks while adding new names, maintaining focus while appropriately sizing for risk. Managers expect inflation to remain at 3-4% with rates approximating inflation, creating favorable environment for businesses growing faster than inflation rate. Significant capital remains on sidelines including private equity, with lower rates expected to accelerate public-to-private transactions supporting valuations. Portfolio viewed as compelling with favorable risk/reward profile offering multiple return avenues.
Baron Focused Growth Fund maintains concentrated portfolio of competitively advantaged growth businesses trading at attractive valuations relative to long-term potential, with strong balance sheets enabling continued investment and shareholder returns.
Managers continue to view the portfolio as compelling with favorable risk/reward profile. They believe combination of strong revenue growth, well-positioned balance sheets, and attractive valuations offers multiple avenues for potential returns. Near-term inflation expected to remain at 3-4% with rates approximating inflation, creating favorable environment for businesses growing faster than inflation rate.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31 2026 | 2026 Q1 | CHH, CSGP, FIGS, GWRE, H, ONON, RRR, SPOT, TSLA | AI, concentrated, consumer discretionary, growth, long-term, Space, technology, valuation | - | Baron Focused Growth declined 4.99% in Q1 on AI fears and Iran war concerns, but SpaceX-xAI deal provided strong offset. Portfolio companies maintain strong fundamentals with balance sheets enabling buybacks. Accelerated insider purchases across holdings reinforce attractive valuations. Managers increased positions while adding new names, viewing portfolio as compelling with favorable risk/reward profile. |
| Jan 30 2026 | 2025 Q4 | ABNB, ACGL, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, DUOL, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, IOT, JEF, LVS, LYV, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TOL, TSLA, VRSK | AI, consumer, Electric Vehicles, growth, healthcare, real estate, Space, technology |
GWRE FIGS H ONON SPOT CSGP DUOL |
Baron Focused Growth Fund posted 12.34% Q4 return and 22.26% annual return, outperforming benchmarks through balanced exposure to disruptive growth, consumer resilience, and space technology. Despite AI competition concerns affecting some software holdings, underlying fundamentals remain strong. Management sees compelling risk-adjusted opportunities ahead with attractive valuations and significant capital deployment potential as rates decline. |
| Oct 28 2025 | 2025 Q3 | ABNB, ACGL, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, DUOL, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, IOT, IRDM, JEF, LVS, LYV, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TOL, TSLA, VRSK | AI, consumer discretionary, Electric Vehicles, growth, portfolio construction, small caps, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund's balanced approach of disruptive growers, steady compounders, and discounted real assets delivered solid Q3 returns despite benchmark underperformance. AI fears and economic sensitivity concerns weighed on some holdings, but strong underlying fundamentals and attractive small-cap valuations position the portfolio well for long-term outperformance as growth accelerates and multiples expand. |
| Jul 31 2025 | 2025 Q2 | ABNB, ACGL, ANSYS, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, IOT, IRDM, JEF, LVS, LYV, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TOL, TSLA, VRSK | Balance Sheets, consumer discretionary, growth, small caps, tariffs, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund outperformed in Q2 2025 with 12.78% returns driven by Disruptive Growth holdings like Spotify and Tesla. Despite tariff uncertainty, over half the portfolio expects accelerated growth next year from prior investments. Strong balance sheets across 70% of holdings provide flexibility for growth and capital returns. Portfolio trades at attractive valuations with favorable risk/reward dynamics. |
| Mar 31 2025 | 2025 Q1 | ABNB, ACGL, AMH, ANSS, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, ILMN, IRDM, JEF, KKD, LVS, LYV, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TSLA, VRSK | AI, consumer discretionary, Electric Vehicles, financials, growth, real estate, software, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund outperformed benchmarks despite Q1 challenges from tariff uncertainty affecting cyclical holdings. Strong recurring revenue base, founder-led management, and robust balance sheets position the portfolio well for current uncertainty. Recent market declines create attractive entry points in competitively advantaged growth businesses, with the fund actively deploying capital into both existing and new opportunities. |
| Dec 31 2024 | 2024 Q4 | ABNB, ACGL, AMH, ANSYS, BRKR, CHH, CSGP, DEI, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, ILMN, IRDM, JEF, KREM, LVS, LYV, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP.TO, SPOT, TSLA, VRSK | consumer discretionary, Electric Vehicles, financials, growth, Hotels, Space, Streaming, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund surged 14.49% in Q4 2024, vastly outperforming its benchmark's 2.43% return, led by Disruptive Growth investments including Tesla and Spotify. The Fund's focus on competitively advantaged, well-financed growth companies taking market share delivered 29.85% annual returns. Managers expect continued earnings acceleration and multiple expansion in a declining rate environment. |
| Sep 30 2024 | 2024 Q3 | ABNB, ACGL, AMH, ANSYS, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDEXX, ILMN, IRDM, JEF, KKD, LVS, MRNA, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TSLA, VRSK | concentrated, consumer discretionary, financials, growth, long-term, small caps, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund gained 11.77% in Q3 2024, outperforming its benchmark by 478 basis points. Disruptive Growth investments led performance as Fed rate cut expectations boosted Tesla, Guidewire, and Spotify. The concentrated 29-stock portfolio targets competitively advantaged businesses with strong recurring revenue and pricing power, positioned for further upside as economic concerns moderate. |
| Jul 27 2024 | 2024 Q2 | ACGL, AMH, ANSYS, ARE, BIRK, CHH, CSGP, DEI, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, ILMN, IRDM, JEF, KKD, LVS, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TSLA, VRSK | concentrated, consumer discretionary, Disruptive Growth, growth, Long/Short, rates, technology |
SPOT TSLA IBKR GWW COST |
Baron Focused Growth Fund outperformed in Q2 as Disruptive Growth holdings rallied on Fed rate cut expectations while Real Estate and economic-sensitive names declined. Managers see portfolio reflecting overly pessimistic earnings assumptions and believe stocks are cyclically depressed, not secularly challenged. They view current risk/reward as attractive with upside potential over 12-18 months if recession fears prove excessive. |
| Apr 15 2024 | 2024 Q1 | ACGL, ANSYS, BIRK, BNTX, CHH, CSGP, DNUT, FIGS, GWRE, H, IBKR, IDXX, ILMN, IRDM, ONON, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TSLA, VRSK | consumer discretionary, financials, growth, long-term, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund's concentrated portfolio of competitively advantaged businesses underperformed in Q1 as higher rates pressured growth stocks, particularly Tesla and other Disruptive Growth holdings. However, Financials and Real Assets performed well. Management maintains conviction in long-term prospects, believing current valuations are overly pessimistic and positioning for significant upside when conditions normalize. |
| Jan 27 2024 | 2023 Q4 | ACGL, ANSYS, BNTX, CHH, CSGP, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IDXX, ILMN, IRDM, MSCI, RIVN, RRR, SHOP, SPOT, TSLA, VAC, VRSK | Casinos, consumer discretionary, Electric Vehicles, financials, growth, Hotels, Space, technology |
BNTX ACGL|CHH|FDS|GWRE|IBKR|IDXX|MTN|SPOT|TSLA CHRS ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK ARGX BB|DAVA|DDOG|GLOB|ILMN|LOAR|MELI|NET|NU|NVDA|TSM |
Baron Focused Growth Fund posted strong Q4 returns of 9.74% and exceptional full-year performance of 27.78%, significantly outperforming benchmarks through concentrated investments in competitively advantaged growth businesses. The Fund's Disruptive Growth companies like Tesla and SpaceX, Core Growth businesses with pricing power, and Real/Irreplaceable Assets with strong brands drove outperformance despite modest underperformance in Q4 due to limited exposure to rate-sensitive stocks. |
| Sep 30 2023 | 2023 Q3 | ACGL, CHH, CSGP, DNUT, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IRDM, MANU, MGM, MSCI, MTN, ONON, RRR, SPOT, TSLA, VAC | Concentration, consumer discretionary, financials, growth, long-term, technology | - | Baron Focused Growth Fund outperformed despite a 5.29% decline in Q3 2023, driven by recurring revenue businesses with pricing power like Guidewire and FactSet. Disruptive Growth holdings faced pressure from macroeconomic headwinds. The concentrated 30-stock portfolio focuses on competitively advantaged businesses returning capital to shareholders. Management expects significant upside if recession fears prove overblown. |
| Dec 31 2022 | 2022 Q4 | ACGL, CSGP, DNUT, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IRDM, MTN, PENN, SPOT, TSLA | - | - | |
| Sep 30 2022 | 2022 Q3 | DNUT, FDS, FIGS, GWRE, H, IRDM, SHOP, TSLA | - | - | |
| Jun 30 2022 | 2022 Q2 | CSGP, FIGS, GWRE, H, MSCI, RRR, SPOT, TSLA | - | - | |
| Mar 31 2022 | 2022 Q1 | ACGL, CSGP, GWRE, H, IRDM, MTN, SPOT, TSLA, VLD, WRBY | - | - |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
AIContinued concerns about AI's effects on portfolio businesses, particularly subscription-based software platforms. AI fears driving multiple compression across software, business services, and information services despite no fundamental impact evidence. |
Software Competition Disruption Valuation Music |
SpaceSpaceX completed acquisition of xAI at significantly higher enterprise value, driving strong performance. Company expanding Starlink broadband service with substantial user growth and deploying advanced Starship rocket technology. |
SpaceX Starlink Satellites Launch Valuation | |
Electric VehiclesTesla delivered strong quarterly results amid challenging EV environment with improved automotive gross margins. Company advancing AI and autonomous driving initiatives with meaningful robotaxi expansion expected in 2026. |
Tesla Autonomous Robotaxi Manufacturing Margins | |
TravelTravel companies facing headwinds from Iran war concerns affecting consumer spending and regional bookings. However, underlying fundamentals remain strong with continued revenue growth and pricing power. |
Hotels Casinos Consumer Geopolitical RevPAR | |
BuybacksPortfolio companies have strong balance sheets with financial leverage below targets, providing liquidity for additional share buybacks. Accelerated insider purchases observed across multiple holdings reinforcing attractive valuations. |
Capital Leverage Insiders Valuation Returns | |
| 2025 Q4 |
Defense SpendingManager maintains exposure to global armaments companies, noting the entire world is rapidly rearming off an extremely low base of defense spending. The position materially outperformed for the year despite Q4 underperformance, with top contributors including Rheinmetall, Palantir Technologies, and RTX. |
Defense Armaments Military Geopolitical Spending |
GoldManager holds both physical gold bullion and a leveraged gold exposure called 'Gresham's Wrath' that provides 1.5x gold exposure plus option income. Gold is viewed as superior commodity money due to its scarcity and durability, with central bank demand accelerating and fiat currencies losing value since 1971. |
Gold Precious Metals Monetary Inflation Currency | |
Precious Metal Royalty/Streaming CompaniesManager maintains exposure to companies that provide upfront capital to mining companies in exchange for royalties or streams, avoiding operational mining risks while benefiting from price appreciation and production growth. These exposures materially outperformed for the year. |
Royalties Streaming Mining Commodities Cash Flow | |
Capital MarketsManager holds positions in exchanges like Nasdaq and Chicago Board of Options Exchange, viewing them as essential high-margin toll roads for the economy with immense operating leverage and natural inflation hedging through transaction-based revenue. |
Exchanges Trading Technology Data Infrastructure | |
JapanManager exited unhedged Japan exposure due to currency headwinds from weakening Yen but added a new dynamically hedged Japan position that filters for companies treating shareholders well and adjusts currency hedge based on four separate models. |
Japan Currency Hedging Governance Yen | |
BitcoinDespite long-term bullish views, manager completely exited Bitcoin position in mid-November using risk management framework similar to commodity trading funds. The exit was well-timed as Bitcoin continued falling while US Large Cap equities they rotated into increased in value. |
Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Risk Management Volatility Digital Assets | |
| 2025 Q3 |
AIAI concerns impacted several holdings including FactSet and Verisk, with investors fearing competitive threats to data moats. However, FactSet continues to benefit from AI through revenue enhancements and cost containments. Tesla's AI initiatives advance rapidly with robotaxi network expansion and Full Self-Driving development. |
Artificial Intelligence Data Moats Automation Robotics Machine Learning |
Electric VehiclesTesla showed renewed strength with core automotive business accelerating and expectations for further acceleration in 2025-2026 with new lower-cost models. The energy storage business continues growing and becoming a large contributor to earnings and margin growth. |
EVs Battery Technology Autonomous Driving Energy Storage Charging Infrastructure | |
E-commerceShopify delivered strong results with 30% revenue growth and 29% GMV growth, benefiting from expansion into offline, international, and B2B channels. The company is advancing in agentic commerce with OpenAI partnership while maintaining less than 2% share of global commerce market. |
Online Commerce Digital Payments Merchant Services Omnichannel SaaS | |
TravelTravel-related holdings faced headwinds from economic sensitivity concerns. Choice Hotels saw slowing RevPAR growth but is expanding higher-margin fee income. Vail Resorts experienced concerns about visitation levels and season pass sales, prompting marketing strategy refinements. |
Hotels Hospitality Tourism Leisure RevPAR | |
BuybacksStrong balance sheets across portfolio companies provide opportunities for share buybacks during stock price dislocations. Insider buying activity increased in Tesla, Vail, Jefferies, and FactSet, providing confidence in investment theses and expected returns over time. |
Share Repurchases Capital Allocation Insider Buying Shareholder Returns Stock Buybacks | |
| 2025 Q2 |
Electric VehiclesTesla continues to benefit from sequential acceleration in automotive segment and new lower-cost models expected in 2025. The company's energy storage business is growing and becoming a significant contributor to earnings and margins. Tesla should benefit from its eight-year, $10 billion investment in AI training for autonomous technology. |
Tesla Autonomous Energy Storage AI Automotive |
StreamingSpotify continues to improve its platform by adding new products and making it more beneficial for consumers. The company has started instituting more regular price increases, accelerating revenue and margin growth. Management believes they can grow paying subscribers to a billion over the medium term from 250 million today. |
Spotify Subscribers Pricing Power Digital Audio Music | |
CloudGuidewire's cloud transition is substantially complete and insurers are upgrading to the cloud at an accelerated rate. The company expects to shift R&D resources from infrastructure investment to product development, which should help drive cross-sales and potentially accelerate annual recurring revenue over time. |
Guidewire Insurance Software SaaS Migration ARR | |
TravelTravel-related holdings including Vail Resorts, Choice Hotels, and Hyatt Hotels faced headwinds from concerns about slowing visitation levels and potential tariff impacts on consumer spending. However, these companies maintain strong balance sheets and pricing power to navigate challenges. |
Hotels Resorts RevPAR Visitation Consumer Spending | |
| 2025 Q1 |
AIX.AI Holdings Corp. is developing an AI model to understand the true nature of the universe, launching Grok 3 which demonstrated top scores ahead of other industry-leading AI models. The company opened the Colossus data center with over 100,000 GPUs and recently acquired X (formerly Twitter) to access vast real-time multimodal data from 600 million users. Tesla's AI ambitions include a robotaxi service launching this year and a fast-growing humanoid program that could transform its growth story. |
Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Robotics Autonomous Vehicles Data Centers |
Electric VehiclesTesla manufactures electric vehicles, solar products, and energy storage solutions alongside advanced real-world AI technologies. Despite declining analyst expectations for auto delivery volume and margins in 2025 due to Model Y refresh and regulatory challenges, the fund remains confident in Tesla's long-term growth underpinned by secular trends in EV adoption, compelling product line, leading cost structure, and cutting-edge technology. |
EVs Battery Technology Charging Infrastructure Energy Storage Autonomous Driving | |
StreamingSpotify Technology is a leading global digital music service offering on-demand audio streaming through paid premium subscriptions and ad-supported models. The company has been on a path to structurally increase gross margins aided by high-margin artist promotions marketplace, growing contribution from podcasts, and structural investments in advertising. Spotify is viewed as a long-term winner in music streaming with potential to reach 1 billion-plus monthly active users. |
Music Streaming Digital Media Subscription Services Advertising Content | |
TravelThe fund holds positions in Las Vegas Sands, Hyatt Hotels, Vail Resorts, and Airbnb, representing exposure to gaming, hospitality, and vacation rental markets. These companies are experiencing uncertainty from potential recession concerns and tariff policies, but maintain strong balance sheets and pricing power. Hyatt expects double-digit EBITDA growth in 2025, while Vail continues to have significant pricing power and a captive high-end consumer base. |
Hotels Casinos Vacation Rentals Tourism Hospitality | |
Real EstateCoStar Group is a real estate data and marketing platform that increased 10.6% in the quarter due to acceleration in daily active users on its Homes.com platform. The company's monthly active users have reached 110 million compared to Zillow's 204 million, demonstrating meaningful traffic growth. Over the next five years, CoStar's residential investment could add at least $1 billion to annualized revenue at significantly accretive margins. |
Real Estate Data Property Technology Commercial Real Estate Residential Real Estate Marketing Platforms | |
SoftwareThe fund holds several software companies including Guidewire Software, which provides property and casualty insurance software and is substantially through its cloud transition. The company is shifting R&D resources from infrastructure investment to product development, which should help drive cross-sales and accelerate annual recurring revenue. Guidewire is expected to capture 30% to 50% of the $15-30 billion total addressable market in P&C insurance software. |
Enterprise Software Cloud Computing SaaS Insurance Technology Recurring Revenue | |
| 2024 Q4 |
Electric VehiclesTesla continues to demonstrate strong performance with 54% quarterly gains, driven by core automotive acceleration and new lower-cost model releases expected in 2025. The company benefits from lower interest rates helping car sales and halting continuous price reductions, while energy storage business grew 60% sequentially. |
Tesla Automotive Energy Storage Pricing Models |
StreamingSpotify increased 21.4% in the quarter, continuing to improve its platform with new products and demonstrating significant pricing power. The company has instituted regular price increases without increasing churn rates, with gross margins expected to improve from 26% to 30-35% over time. |
Spotify Pricing Power Subscribers Margins Platform | |
Capital MarketsInteractive Brokers gained 26.9% with 30% year-over-year account growth and 45% margin loan growth, driven by strength in international markets. The company benefits from automation advantages and serves sophisticated investors across global markets with industry-leading margins over 70%. |
Interactive Brokers Automation International Margins Growth | |
SpaceSpaceX continues generating significant value through rapid Starlink broadband expansion with substantial new user growth and efficient hardware deployment. The company has established itself as a leading launch provider with reusable technology and is making progress on Starship, the largest most powerful rocket ever flown. |
SpaceX Starlink Launch Reusable Starship | |
HotelsHotel investments including Hyatt Hotels and Choice Hotels contributed to outstanding performance, benefiting from strong recurring revenue with significant pricing power and high customer retention rates. These Real/Irreplaceable Assets businesses maintain meaningful brand equity and barriers to entry. |
Hyatt Choice Hotels Pricing Power Brand Retention | |
CasinosRed Rock Resorts faced challenges from market slowdown and cannibalization by its new Durango casino, though the new property is generating 20% returns on invested capital. Las Vegas population growth combined with inflationary pricing should drive high single-digit EBITDA growth. |
Red Rock Durango Las Vegas EBITDA Returns | |
| 2024 Q3 |
Electric VehiclesTesla represents the fund's largest position at 9.8% of assets, with the stock contributing 274 bps to quarterly performance. The manager believes lower interest rates should help Tesla sell more cars and halt continuous price reductions, while the energy storage business continues to grow rapidly. |
Tesla EV Energy Storage Autonomous AI |
CloudGuidewire Software's cloud transition is substantially complete, with subscription gross margins improving by over 1,000 basis points. The company is shifting R&D resources from infrastructure to product development, which should drive cross-sales and accelerate annual recurring revenue growth. |
SaaS Cloud Migration Insurance Software ARR Margins | |
TravelThe fund holds positions in Vail Resorts, Hyatt Hotels, and Airbnb, representing companies with strong pricing power and recurring revenue models. Despite near-term headwinds from normalization post-COVID, these businesses benefit from consumers' preference to spend on experiences over goods. |
Hotels Experiences Pricing Power Recovery Leisure | |
StreamingSpotify increased 17.4% in the quarter, driven by subscriber growth and significant pricing power. The company has instituted regular price increases without increasing churn rates, with management expecting gross margins to improve from 26% to 30-35% over time. |
Music Subscriptions Pricing Power Margins Content | |
Capital MarketsInteractive Brokers gained 13.7% as the company continues gaining market share through automation and international expansion. The firm added over one million customers in 12 months, with industry-leading margins over 70% and significant cash for acquisitions and platform growth. |
Brokerage Automation International Margins Growth | |
| 2024 Q2 |
Electric VehiclesTesla continues to drive manufacturing costs lower and invest heavily in AI initiatives. The company expects to launch a lower cost model as soon as late 2024, which should result in accelerated revenue growth and increased factory utilization. Tesla's energy storage business almost doubled in Q2 from Q1 levels. |
Tesla Manufacturing AI Energy Storage Autonomous |
StreamingSpotify continues to improve its platform adding new products and making it more beneficial for consumers. The company has started to institute more regular price increases, which is accelerating revenue and margin growth. Spotify is beginning to exercise pricing power following last year's initial price increases that saw minimal churn. |
Spotify Pricing Power Subscriptions Music Podcasts | |
SpaceSpaceX is generating significant value with the rapid expansion of its Starlink broadband service, reporting substantial growth in active users. The company has established itself as a leading launch provider by offering highly reliable and cost-effective launches. SpaceX is making tremendous progress on Starship, the largest, most powerful rocket ever flown. |
SpaceX Starlink Satellites Launch Starship | |
TravelVail Resorts faced challenges from poor snow conditions affecting season pass sales, but the company still expects to generate almost $950 million in season pass revenue. Hyatt Hotels continues to increase business transient and group bookings, which are now pacing 7% ahead of 2023 levels. Both companies benefit from consumers' desire to spend more on experiences over goods. |
Vail Hyatt Season Pass Experiences Leisure | |
RatesThe Federal Reserve's restrictive policies over the past year were beginning to have their desired effect of slowing inflation and job growth. This cooling led investors to believe the Fed could start cutting interest rates as soon as fall 2024. Lower interest rates are expected to benefit disruptive growth investments and help Tesla sell more cars. |
Fed Interest Rates Inflation Growth Valuations | |
| 2024 Q1 |
Electric VehiclesTesla remains a core holding despite 29% decline in Q1. The company continues to generate sufficient gross profit to support robust product development including the refreshed Model 3 and Y. Tesla should benefit from its eight-year $10 billion investment in AI training for autonomous technology. |
Tesla Autonomous Cybertruck Manufacturing AI |
TravelReal/Irreplaceable Assets including hotels and casinos performed well, gaining 9.7% in the quarter. These businesses benefit from significant daily pricing power in an inflationary environment and consumers' continued preference for experiences over goods. |
Hotels Casinos Pricing Power Experiences Inflation | |
Capital MarketsFinancial businesses represented 18.2% of the Fund and benefited from higher interest rates. Interactive Brokers increased 34.8% as it continues taking market share through automation and international expansion, growing new accounts over 20% annually. |
Brokers Automation International Margins Growth | |
StreamingSpotify increased 40.4% in the quarter on operating margins and subscriber additions exceeding expectations. The company is prioritizing profitability while expanding its advertising segment and increasing podcast profitability. |
Music Podcasts Advertising Profitability Subscribers | |
| 2023 Q4 |
Electric VehiclesTesla remains the Fund's largest position at 11.4% despite modest quarterly decline. The manager views Tesla as benefiting from AI investments through autonomous driving technology, Dojo training computer, and humanoid robotics. The Cybertruck launch and refreshed Model 3 are generating strong demand while improving unit economics. |
Tesla Cybertruck Autonomous AI Manufacturing |
SpaceSpace Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is the second-largest position at 9.4%, contributing 241 bps to quarterly performance. The company achieved record 96 Falcon rocket launches in 2023, nearly doubling from 2022. Starlink operates over 5,500 satellites serving 2.3 million customers, more than doubling its customer base during the year. |
SpaceX Starlink Satellites Rockets Starship | |
AIThe manager expects Tesla to benefit from artificial intelligence investments through development of autonomous driving technology, Dojo AI training computer, autobidder automated energy trading platform, and humanoid robotics. AI is viewed as a key driver for Tesla's future value creation beyond traditional automotive business. |
Autonomous Dojo Robotics Machine Learning | |
HotelsHyatt Hotels Corporation appreciated 23.1% in the quarter, contributing 107 bps to performance. The company reported strong demand across its portfolio with robust leisure travel and improvement in business transient and group business now pacing above pre-COVID levels. Room rate increases are generating solid margins and cash flow. |
Hyatt Leisure Business Travel Occupancy | |
CasinosRed Rock Resorts increased 30.7% on the opening of its new Durango casino in early December. The company reported strong initial visitation and spend levels without cannibalization at other properties. Red Rock expects the casino to generate profits from day one and projects 20% annualized return on its $800 million investment by 2026. |
Red Rock Durango Las Vegas Gaming | |
RatesInvestor expectations of Federal Reserve pivot from raising rates to lowering rates over the next year benefited leveraged, cyclical, and interest rate sensitive stocks significantly. The Fund has modest investments in such businesses. The manager believes their Financials businesses can continue to grow in a declining rate environment due to recurring revenue and strong pricing power. |
Federal Reserve Interest Rates Monetary Policy | |
| 2023 Q3 |
ResiliencePortfolio companies continue to generate strong results despite macroeconomic concerns. Most businesses have yet to experience changes in customer demographics or spending levels and have been able to offset cost increases with higher prices without impacting demand. |
Pricing Power Margins Cash Flow Stability Retention |
BuybacksMany portfolio companies are accelerating their return of capital to shareholders through increased buybacks and dividends. Management teams including CEOs, CFOs and Directors are personally buying their stocks, signaling confidence in business prospects. |
Share Repurchase Capital Return Management Buying Excess Cash | |
TravelThe fund holds significant positions in travel-related companies including Hyatt Hotels, Vail Resorts, and Marriott Vacations. These businesses are benefiting from occupancies returning to pre-COVID levels and strong tour package bookings. |
Hotels Resorts Occupancy Recovery Timeshare | |
SaaSSoftware-as-a-Service companies like Guidewire and FactSet are showing strong subscription growth and margin expansion. These businesses have recurring revenue models with high client retention rates and pricing power. |
Subscription Recurring Revenue Cloud Retention Margins |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | GWRE | Guidewire Software, Inc. | Information Technology | Software | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | ARR, cloud, Insurance, Margins, Software | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | SPOT | Spotify Technology S.A. | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | advertising, Engagement, Margins, Pricing, Streaming, Subscriptions | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | CSGP | CoStar Group, Inc. | Real Estate | Real Estate Services | Bull | NASDAQ | Data, Margins, Marketplaces, realestate, Reinvestment, Users | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | FIGS | FIGS, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Apparel Retail | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Apparel, cashflow, healthcare, International, Margins, Replenishment | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | H | Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Consumer Discretionary | Hotels Resorts & Cruise Lines | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | AssetLight, buybacks, Lodging, Loyalty, RevPAR, valuation | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | DUOL | Duolingo, Inc. | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bear | NASDAQ | Bookings, Education, Engagement, monetization, valuation | Login |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Fund Letters | Ronald Baron | ONON | On Holding AG | Consumer Discretionary | Footwear | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Brand, Footwear, growth, innovation, Margins, Pricing | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | IBKR | Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. | Financials | Capital Markets | Bull | NASDAQ | Automation, Electronic Brokerage, Fintech, global markets, high margins, international expansion, technology | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | COST | CoStar Group, Inc. | Real Estate | Real Estate Services | Bull | NASDAQ | commercial real estate, Data Analytics, marketplace, Real Estate Software, Residential Real Estate, SaaS, technology | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | SPOT | Spotify Technology S.A. | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bull | NYSE | Audio Content, Consumer Discretionary, Digital Music Streaming, Pricing power, SaaS, subscription model, technology | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | GWW | Guidewire Software, Inc. | Information Technology | Software | Bull | NYSE | cloud transition, Enterprise software, Insurance-software, P&C insurance, recurring revenue, SaaS, technology | Login |
| Jun 30, 2024 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | TSLA | Tesla, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Automobiles | Bull | NASDAQ | Artificial Intelligence, autonomous driving, clean energy, Electric Vehicles, energy storage, robotics, technology | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | BNTX | BioNTech SE | Health Care | Biotechnology | Bull | NASDAQ | biotechnology, cash position, drug development, Infectious Disease, mRNA, Oncology, pipeline, vaccine | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | ACGL|CHH|FDS|GWRE|IBKR|IDXX|MTN|SPOT|TSLA | Tesla, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Automobiles | Bull | NASDAQ | Artificial Intelligence, automotive, autonomous driving, Cybertruck, Electric Vehicles, energy storage, manufacturing, robotics | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | CHRS | Choice Hotels International, Inc. | Consumer Discretionary | Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | Bull | NYSE | acquisition, asset-light, franchise, hospitality, Hotel Franchisor, loyalty program, Revenue Management, Travel | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK | IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. | Health Care | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Bull | NASDAQ | Animal Health, diagnostics, innovation, market leader, Pet Care, recurring revenue, secular growth, Veterinary diagnostics | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | ACGL|APH|COO|CSGP|DKNG|GWRE|IDXX|IOT|IT|LPLA|MSCI|MTD|PCOR|ROP|TECH|VRSK | Guidewire Software, Inc. | Information Technology | Software | Bull | NYSE | Annual Recurring Revenue, cloud transition, Insurance-software, margin expansion, P&C insurance, SaaS, Software, sticky revenue | Login |
| Dec 31, 2023 | Fund Letters | Baron Focused Growth Fund | ARGX BB|DAVA|DDOG|GLOB|ILMN|LOAR|MELI|NET|NU|NVDA|TSM | Illumina, Inc. | Health Care | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | diagnostics, DNA Sequencing, Genomics, high-margin, life sciences, Oncology Testing, Prenatal Testing, research | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| TSLA | Tesla, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells fully electric vehicles (EVs), solar products, and energy storage solutions, while developing advanced real-world AI technologies. Following robust gains in late 2025, shares fell as investors awaited progress on robotaxis and assessed the company's sizable investments in manufacturing and AI. Operationally, Tesla delivered strong quarterly results amid a challenging EV environment. Automotive gross margins improved sequentially and beat expectations, the energy storage business maintained robust momentum with best-in-class margins, and battery cell production ramped. The company continues to advance its AI and autonomous driving initiatives at a rapid pace. Management anticipates meaningful robotaxi expansion in 2026 and continues to finalize the Optimus Gen 3 design and build out large-scale manufacturing capacity for humanoid robots. |
| SPOT | Global digital music streaming platform Spotify declined by 16.6% in the first quarter and detracted 72 bps from performance as investors were concerned about the impact AI music could have on the conversion of free subscribers to paying subscribers as well as how it could impact time on the platform. In addition, further concerns about the timing of price increases and resulting margin expansion also frustrated investors. However, the company continues to institute price increases across multiple regions and complete negotiations with major record labels. User growth remains strong, growing at a double-digit rate with high engagement and low churn even with price increases. The company remains on a path to increase gross margins through its high-margin artist promotions marketplace, growing podcast contribution, and ongoing investments in advertising where revenue growth is expected to accelerate this year. We continue to view Spotify as a long-term winner in music streaming with potential to reach 1 billion-plus subscribers by 2030. |
| GWRE | Property and casualty (P&C) insurance software vendor Guidewire declined 25.7% in the first quarter and detracted 88 bps from performance. However, the company continues to do quite well - after a multi-year transition period, the company's cloud transition is substantially complete, and insurers are upgrading to the cloud at an accelerated rate. We believe that cloud will be the sole path forward, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) benefiting from new customer wins and migrations of the existing customer base to the company's Insurance Suite Cloud. We also expect the company to shift R&D resources to product development from infrastructure investment, which should help drive cross-sales into its sticky installed base and potentially accelerate ARR over time. We are encouraged by Guidewire's subscription gross margin expansion, which improved by approximately 580 bps in its most recently reported quarter. We believe Guidewire will be the critical software vendor for the global P&C insurance industry, capturing 30% to 50% of its $15 billion to $30 billion total addressable market and generating margins above 40%. |
| H | Shares of global hotelier Hyatt declined 10.3% and hurt performance by 37 bps in the first quarter as investors were concerned with a potential deceleration in revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth due to the Middle East conflict as well as cartel uprisings in Mexico that could hurt travel to those parts of the world. However, according to Hyatt management, the Middle East is only 3% of total fees and Mexico while it is approximately 7% of global rooms, they are seeing travelers switch and rebook for other places. While they are seeing declines in Mexico bookings, this is being offset by an increase in bookings for its Caribbean properties. There has been no impact on unit growth, and the company still expects to grow units between 6% and 7% this year. We believe this growth combined with low single-digit RevPAR growth and slight margin improvement should lead to double-digit EBITDA growth this year. |
| RRR | Shares of Las Vegas Locals casino operator, Red Rock Resorts, declined 12.0% in the first quarter and hurt performance by 40 bps as investors were concerned with a potential slowdown in Las Vegas gaming revenue brought about by the macro uncertainty from the war in Iran. Combine this slowdown with construction disruption due to many renovation and expansion projects occurring at its properties and current earnings could decelerate. However, the company continues to invest in its resorts as management sees further opportunities for growth from continued population growth and a higher net worth individual coming to Las Vegas. The company continues to generate strong cash flow that should produce accelerated growth in the coming years. We continue to believe the stock remains attractively valued as the company's founders recently bought stock at current levels, giving us further confidence in the company's accelerated growth prospects. |
| CSGP | CoStar Group, Inc. is the leading provider of information and marketing services to the commercial and residential real estate industries. Shares fell due to multiple compression driven by rising AI fears. The market has come to view AI as an existential risk for a growing number of industries—including software, business services, information services, and video games—despite no evidence of any fundamental impact to these sectors. This 'shoot first and ask questions later' dynamic has resulted in meaningful share price declines. We continue to own CoStar given its differentiated data assets and significant growth opportunities in providing enhanced real estate information, analytics, and marketplace offerings. CoStar boasts an enviable business model with high levels of recurring revenue and meaningful cash flow generation potential. |
| ONON | Premium footwear and apparel brand On Holding AG detracted from performance as shares came under pressure from foreign-exchange headwinds and heightened uncertainty surrounding management changes. The recent devaluation of the U.S. dollar is expected to slow reported results, even as management reiterated its outlook for 2026 foreign-exchange-neutral revenue growth of 23%. Leadership turnover also weighed on sentiment, with cofounders David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti returning to serve as co-chief executive officers while Martin Hoffmann steps down. Despite these near-term pressures, the company continued to deliver strong fundamental results. In the fourth quarter of 2025, On generated constant-currency revenue growth of more than 30% as it continued to capture additional market share through its premium, differentiated product lineup, which is expanding beyond footwear into accessories and apparel. |
| FIGS | FIGS, Inc. designs and sells scrubwear for health care professionals through a digitally native, direct-to-consumer strategy. Shares rose following robust fourth-quarter results and upbeat 2026 guidance. Revenue expanded 33% to $201.9 million, reflecting broad-based momentum across categories and geographies and exceeding expectations. Holiday demand was strong throughout the season and remained elevated through quarter-end. U.S. revenue rose 28.7% to $164.2 million, while international revenue accelerated 55% to $37.7 million, with scrubs and non-scrubwear contributing gains of 35% and 26%, respectively. This topline strength translated to profitability, with EBITDA rising 29.8% to $26.7 million. Building on this momentum, revenue is expected to grow in the low-20% range in the first quarter and 10% to 12% for the full year. |
| CHH | Global hotel franchisor Choice Hotels International, Inc. contributed to performance during the quarter as the company saw a slight acceleration in revenue per available room across its portfolio. Choice continues to grow units at a low-single-digit rate and is benefiting from higher royalty rates on new franchise contracts, driving mid-single-digit growth in earnings and free cash flow. The company is using this cashflow to return capital through share repurchases. We continue to believe the stock offers compelling value, trading at a roughly five multiple-point discount to its historical average. Choice maintains a strong balance sheet, providing flexibility for additional share buybacks, particularly when the stock trades below the company's view of intrinsic value. |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Buys Data | |||||
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Sold | Shares Sold | % Change | Weight % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Sells Data | ||||||
| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| No industry data available | |||