Mesirow Financial Investment Management Buys 2 Million Shares of Akre Focus ETF

Company Overview - Mesirow Financial Investment Management disclosed a new position in the Akre Focus ETF, acquiring 2,012,662 shares valued at $131.8 million as of December 31, 2025 [2][4] - The Akre Focus ETF has total fund assets of $7.5 billion and was priced at $58.33 as of market close on February 4, 2026 [4] - The ETF specializes in high-quality U.S. companies with strong shareholder returns and disciplined management, emphasizing reasonable valuations and flexibility in investment [6][9] Investment Strategy - The Akre Focus ETF employs a fundamentals-driven selection process, focusing on high returns on capital and strong management [6][9] - The fund can invest up to 35% in foreign securities and offers a diversified portfolio that includes U.S. equities, preferred stocks, and cash equivalents [9] Performance Metrics - As of February 4, 2026, AKRE shares were 14.5% below their 52-week high and had underperformed the S&P 500 by 30 percentage points over the last year [8] - The new position in the Akre Focus ETF represents 2.7% of Mesirow's 13F-reported assets under management [8] Historical Context - The Akre Focus ETF is a new version of a mutual fund that has been operational since 2009, known for its solid performance and a concentrated portfolio of 20 to 30 quality stocks [11]