Ron & Michael Baron on Baron Capital's ETF launch

Core Viewpoint - Baron Capital is launching five new actively managed ETFs, extending its investment philosophy and process beyond mutual funds to include ETFs, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, tax efficiency, transparency, and intraday liquidity [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Philosophy and Process - Baron Capital maintains its long-term investment philosophy, focusing on fundamental views of portfolio companies, and aims to change lives for clients rather than just maximizing profits [1][2]. - The firm has a strong track record, with 97-98% of its assets outperforming the market, and the Baron Partners Fund being the top fund in the U.S. since 2003 [1][2]. - The investment strategy involves rigorous research, with a team of 45 investment professionals analyzing various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and financials, to construct a diverse portfolio [2]. Group 2: Research Methodology - The research methodology at Baron Capital emphasizes understanding the essence of companies, including their management teams, successes, failures, and motivations, to identify strong investment opportunities [2]. - The firm aims to find unique investment opportunities by evaluating the intellect, passion, and leadership skills of company executives, ensuring alignment with investor interests and societal benefits [2]. Group 3: Market Position and Future Outlook - Baron Capital's new ETFs are positioned to fill a gap in the market for fundamental stock pickers, as there are currently more ETFs than publicly traded companies, yet a lack of foundational portfolios for long-term investors [2]. - The firm is optimistic about its ability to generate significant profits, projecting to increase from $100 million in 1992 to five times that amount over the next decade [1].