
Baron Mutual Funds offer a range of investment strategies that can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
The firm's flagship fund, the Baron Growth Fund, has consistently delivered strong returns over the years, with a 10-year annualized return of 14.3% as of 2022.
Baron's investment approach focuses on finding undervalued companies with strong growth potential, often led by experienced and successful managers.
Their disciplined approach to investing has helped them navigate market fluctuations and deliver steady returns to investors.
Investment Strategy
A key aspect of investing with Baron Funds is their focus on long-term growth through a value-oriented approach. This means they look for undervalued companies with strong fundamentals, which can lead to significant returns over time.
Baron Funds' investment strategy is centered around a team of experienced portfolio managers who work together to identify top investment opportunities. They have a strong track record of success, with many of their funds consistently ranking among the top performers in their respective categories.
One of the key factors that sets Baron Funds apart is their willingness to hold onto their investments for the long haul. This disciplined approach can be beneficial for investors who are looking for steady, long-term growth rather than quick profits.
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Fund Performance
Baron mutual funds have a long history of delivering strong performance. The firm was founded in 1930 by Ronald Baron, and since then, it has grown to become one of the largest and most respected mutual fund companies in the country.
The Baron Growth Fund has consistently ranked among the top-performing growth funds over the past few decades. In fact, it has been ranked #1 in its category by Morningstar for several years.
The fund's strong performance can be attributed to its disciplined investment approach, which focuses on investing in high-quality, growth-oriented companies with strong financials and competitive advantages. This approach has allowed the fund to deliver impressive returns over the long term.
The Baron Focused Growth Fund has also been a top performer, with a 10-year annualized return of over 18%. This is significantly higher than the average return of its peers in the same category.
Investors in the Baron funds have benefited from the firm's experienced investment team, which has a deep understanding of the markets and a proven track record of making smart investment decisions.
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Management and Fees
The total expense for Baron Mutual Funds is 1.3335%. This percentage includes various fees that are charged to investors.
Breakdown of fees includes Advisor Fee Expense, which is 0.9962% of the total expense.
Distribution Fee Expense is another significant fee, accounting for 0.2494% of the total expense.
The fees are categorized into different types, including Advisor Fee Expense, Distribution Fee Expense, and Interest Expense, among others.
Here is a breakdown of the fees:
Capital Management
Baron Capital Management is a great example of a firm that focuses on long-term strategy in growth equity investments. They typically hold a stock for 4-5 years, sometimes up to 10-15 years.
Their approach is centered around investing in mega-trends driven by broad societal and demographic trends. This includes baby boomer demands for healthcare, where demand is expected to remain steady for years, or even decades.
One of the key factors Baron Capital looks for in a company is strong management teams. They prioritize investing in people, not assets, and seek out companies with credible, dependable, and trustworthy leadership.
In 2011, Baron Capital had approximately $19.5 billion in assets under management. This is a significant amount of money, and it shows the firm's commitment to long-term investing.
Here are some key facts about Baron Capital's investment approach:
- They invest in companies with strong growth opportunities.
- They look for companies that are appropriately financed.
- They prioritize companies with competitive advantages.
- They seek out companies that are leaders in their field.
Baron Capital's unique focus on management teams has served them well. In 2012, they purchased 24 percent of the stock of Manchester United Football Club, which gave them a 5.8% ownership interest in the club.
Charges
Charges can add up quickly, and it's essential to understand what you're paying for. The total expense is 1.3335%.
The advisor fee expense is the largest component of charges, accounting for 0.9962% of the total expense.
Distribution fees are also significant, making up 0.2494% of the total expense.
Interest expenses are relatively low, at 0.0487%, but they can still have a notable impact on your overall costs.
Some fees are quite small, like the insurance fee expense, which is only 0.0016%.
Here's a breakdown of the different fee expenses:
Company Culture
At Baron Capital, the company culture is deeply ingrained in every aspect of the business. The Baron way is drilled into the staff on a daily basis, with Ron Baron emphasizing the importance of following the Baron investment philosophy to the letter.
Staff turnover is extremely low, which helps maintain consistency. Four of the five original employees are still with the firm.
The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, with employees encouraged to ask questions and share ideas. Ron Baron's mantra is "there are no dumb questions", and he encourages his team to think critically.
Analysts are rigorously trained in the Baron way, with a focus on qualitative research rather than just building models. They work closely with executives to discuss their businesses and gain a deeper understanding of the companies they're researching.
The company's long-tenured portfolio managers are expected to invest in the funds they manage, which helps to maintain a consistent investment approach. Most of them started as analysts and worked their way up, which speaks to the company's commitment to developing its employees.
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Career and Expertise
Baron worked for several brokerage firms from 1970 to 1982, developing a reputation for investing in small companies. He spent over a decade honing his investment skills in this field.
His experience in brokerage firms allowed him to gain valuable knowledge about the stock market and its fluctuations.
Ron's Sweet Spot in Stocks
Ron's Sweet Spot in Stocks is all about finding that perfect balance. He has a knack for identifying undervalued companies with high growth potential, which he calls his "sweet spot".
Ron's research shows that companies with a market value of $10 billion to $50 billion tend to outperform their larger counterparts. This is likely due to their ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
With a keen eye for detail, Ron has developed a system for evaluating stocks that takes into account both qualitative and quantitative factors. He looks for companies with strong management teams, innovative products, and a competitive edge.
Ron's expertise in identifying "sweet spot" stocks has earned him a reputation as a savvy investor. His approach is not about getting rich quick, but rather about making informed, long-term investment decisions.
For more insights, see: Invest Stocks Etfs Mutual Funds
Career

Baron worked for several brokerage firms from 1970 to 1982, developing a reputation for investing in small companies. This experience laid the foundation for his future success.
He spent over a decade honing his skills and building relationships in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Baron mutual funds good?
Baron mutual funds have received high ratings from Morningstar, indicating strong performance over various time periods. Their 5-Star ratings suggest they are among the top funds in their category, but it's essential to research and evaluate them further to determine if they align with your investment goals.
Are Baron funds no load?
Baron funds are no-load, meaning you can invest without paying upfront fees. To learn more about our no-load mutual funds, review the prospectus for each fund.
Which Baron fund is the best?
Baron Growth is the top midsize-company growth fund since 1994, and Baron Partners and Baron Focused Growth are among the top performers among all mutual funds since the 1990s. For investors seeking top-performing funds, these Baron funds are worth considering.
What are Ron Baron's current holdings?
Ron Baron's current holdings include significant stakes in Tesla Inc, Arch Capital Group Ltd, Gartner Inc, CoStar Group Inc, and MSCI Inc. These holdings represent a substantial portion of his investment portfolio, according to publicly disclosed information.
Do Baron funds pay dividends?
Yes, Baron funds pay dividends, as evidenced by the quarterly payment made to Baron Partners Fund shareholders on Dec 18, 2024, with a payment of $1.6 per share.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_S._Baron
- https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/mutual-funds/604829/baron-funds-the-masters-of-growth-investing
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/funds/data/baron-growth-fund-retail-shares-us0682782091
- https://www.forbes.com/etfs-mutual-funds/
- https://www.yahoo.com/news/why-ron-baron-sweet-stocks-201359859.html
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