Group 1 - The valuation of ETF platforms is significantly higher than that of traditional wealth managers, with multiples ranging from eight to ten times earnings for ETF businesses compared to three to four times for others [2] - The number of Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) transactions and ETF launches reached record highs, with 322 RIA deals in 2025, up from 272 in 2024, and 1,167 ETF launches in 2025, a nearly 60% increase from 736 in 2024 [3] - The rise of 351 exchanges allows for tax-free transfers of appreciated assets to ETFs at launch, indicating a growing trend in the ETF market [4] Group 2 - Advisors face challenges in the ETF business, including high operational costs, with a threshold of $100 million in assets needed for ETFs to be self-sustaining [5] - The potential for scaling asset allocation services through ETFs exists, but many firms struggle with the economics of launching and maintaining these funds [4][5]

It must be nice to have a biggest fan. Investment company Baron Capital is one of the largest investors in Elon Musk’s aerospace technology company, SpaceX, with allocated assets currently sitting at about $10 billion. The firm also launched five new active products in December that are designed to mirror its strategies in private investment accounts and mutual funds, including the Baron First Principles ETF (RONB), which allocates 14% of its holdings to SpaceX. Along with two new ETF industry hires this ...

Core Insights - The current market environment shows an under allocation to small and mid-cap stocks, with only 3% allocated compared to a typical 7.5% for the Russell 3000 [1] - Valuations for small-cap stocks are reasonable, with the Russell 2500 growth index trading at 21.5 times forward earnings, which is below the S&P 500's typical range [1] - Small and mid-cap stocks are expected to outperform larger stocks due to better growth prospects, with mid-cap sales growth projected at 16% compared to 11% for the S&P 500 [1] Market Dynamics - There is a noticeable rotation from mega-cap tech stocks to sectors like energy, materials, and small and mid-sized companies [2] - The economic environment is conducive for small caps to outperform, particularly as interest rates decline and inflation remains low [3] - The shift in investment focus is expected to continue, benefiting small and mid-cap stocks at the expense of mega-cap tech [4] Sector Performance - Hardware and semiconductor sectors are benefiting from increased capital expenditures, particularly for AI data centers, while software companies are facing challenges [4] - Small-cap software stocks have seen a significant decline, down 40% year-over-year, while hardware companies are thriving [5] - Companies like Datadog and Dynatrace are highlighted as strong performers in the observability space, with solid growth prospects [5] Investment Opportunities - AI applications are emerging in various sectors, including law enforcement and healthcare, with companies like Axon and Tempest AI leading the way [7][8] - The healthcare sector is also seeing investment opportunities, particularly in cancer diagnostics and biologics manufacturing [8] - The focus is on identifying companies with strong fundamentals and competitive advantages that can deliver significant growth over a 3 to 5 year horizon [10] Economic Implications - A broadening market with increased investment in small and mid-cap stocks is seen as healthy for the overall economy, benefiting consumer spending [11] - The expectation is that the economic benefits will be more widely distributed, positively impacting the stock market across all capitalizations [11]

Group 1: ETF Market Overview - The global ETF industry is valued at nearly $19 trillion, with significant movements in equity markets driven by tech earnings and gold prices surpassing $5,000 per ounce for the first time [1][4]. - Inflows into ETFs have shown strong conviction, particularly in emerging markets, with VOO attracting $3 billion in a recent week [3][4]. - Gold ETFs have seen inflows exceeding $50 billion since the end of 2024, with investors experiencing gains of over 76% if invested at the beginning of 2025 [4][5]. Group 2: Precious Metals and Energy Trends - There is a notable trend of increased investment in precious metals, including gold, silver, and platinum, as investors seek exposure to these assets amid market volatility [6][7]. - Energy and materials sectors remain underweighted in the S&P 500, with discussions around potential shifts in investment flows due to changing market conditions [7][10]. - Natural gas prices have responded to cold weather, indicating a potential shift in energy investment dynamics [8][9]. Group 3: Japanese Market and Currency Concerns - There are growing concerns regarding the U.S. and Japan's potential intervention in currency markets, impacting investor sentiment towards Japanese equities [11][12]. - Investors are advised to consider hedging strategies when allocating to Japanese ETFs due to currency volatility [12][14]. Group 4: New ETF Developments - Baron Capital is launching a new ETF with significant allocations to private companies like SpaceX, raising questions about liquidity and transparency in ETF structures [15][19]. - The proposal to tokenize T-Bill ETFs aims to enhance liquidity and attract a new audience, pending SEC approval [28][30][31]. - Invesco is introducing a new ETF focused on tier one bonds in euros, indicating a competitive landscape in the European bond market [26][27]. Group 5: Bitcoin and Crypto Exposure - The BBB ETF, which combines 75% S&P 500 and 25% Bitcoin futures, has slightly outperformed the S&P 500 since its inception, appealing to investors hesitant about direct crypto exposure [36][38]. - The shift from Bitcoin futures to spot Bitcoin is planned for the BBB ETF, reflecting evolving investor preferences and market conditions [42][44]. - The potential for significant capital migration into the crypto space remains, with a focus on addressing the needs of Bitcoin-hesitant investors [45][46].

Group 1 - The fundamental rule of investment compounding is to buy quality and hold, emphasizing the importance of long-term investment in great growth companies [1] - Ron Baron, CEO of Baron Capital, highlights the necessity of holding quality companies for long-term growth as a key to successful investing [1] - Ariel Sokol has over twenty years of experience in corporate finance, focusing on subscription and edtech businesses, and has held significant roles in various companies including Pearson [1]

On Dec. 9, JPMorgan warned it would spend more next year than it had previously forecast. Shares tanked. Within days, the bank's stock had recovered. That trading dynamic is a rapid-fire microcosm of an approach that billionaire fund manager Ron Baron says underlies a key part of his investment philosophy: making bets on the companies that the market is punishing in the short-term for spending on the priorities they need for their long-term growth.Baron, the founder and CEO of Baron Capital, in recent years ...

While much of the market has bulked up on artificial intelligence and large technology companies in 2025, billionaire fund manager Ron Baron said on this week's CNBC "ETF Edge" that investors should be looking across more market caps and sectors for the best opportunities. That is starting to happen, as many investors rotate out of tech stocks and search for value across the market, including in the financial sector. Baron cited two financial sector companies that his firm Baron Capital owns, MSCI and FactS ...

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].

Welcome to ETF Edge, your go-to place for all things exchange traded funds. I'm your host, Dominic Chu. Mutual fund and long-term investing heavyweight Baron Capital is launching five new actively managed ETFs today. So, joining me now, fresh off ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange are Ron Baron and Michael Baron from Baron Capital. Gentlemen, thank you both for being with us here on ETF Edge. We appreciate the time. >> Thanks for inviting us. All right. So, maybe we'll start with the ne ...

Michael and @RonBaronAnalyst from Baron Capital break down why long-term investing still wins.They talk ETFs, decades of growth since 1982, big bets on Tesla and SpaceX, and why a future SpaceX IPO could be huge.This is conviction investing, not short-term trading. $TSLA https://t.co/U248fPadHW ...