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Baron Health Care Fund Q3 2025 Shareholder Letter
Seeking Alphaยท 2025-10-27 17:01
Performance Overview - Baron Health Care Fund increased 5.39% in Q3 2025, outperforming the Russell 3000 Health Care Index's 5.05% but underperforming the Russell 3000 Index's 8.18% [2][3] - Since inception on April 30, 2018, the Fund has achieved an annualized return of 9.30%, compared to 8.68% for the Benchmark and 14.48% for the Index [2][4] Key Contributors - Strong stock selection in biotechnology, particularly from argenx SE and Insmed Incorporated, contributed significantly to the Fund's performance [5] - Argenx's Vyvgart sales exceeded expectations, while Insmed's Brinsupri received U.S. approval, representing a $5 billion-plus opportunity [5][16] - Investments in health care services, particularly RadNet, Inc. and Heartflow, Inc., also added value, with RadNet's shares rising due to strong quarterly results and guidance [6][7][17] Key Detractors - Poor stock selection in health care equipment, particularly from Masimo Corporation and Boston Scientific Corporation, negatively impacted performance [8][9] - Eli Lilly's stock fell due to disappointing Phase 3 trial results for orforglipron, alongside broader regulatory uncertainties affecting the pharmaceutical sector [12][21] - The Fund's underweight position in Johnson & Johnson, which saw a 22.3% increase, also detracted from relative performance [12] Portfolio Structure - The Fund held 46 stocks, with a significant overweight in biotechnology (31.8%) and health care equipment (24.0%), while being underweight in pharmaceuticals (15.2%) [24][28] - The top 10 holdings represented 47.8% of net assets, with Eli Lilly and argenx being the largest positions [26] Recent Activity - The Fund added 16 new positions and exited five, maintaining a focus on attractive valuations in the health care sector [29] - Notable purchases included AbbVie Inc., UnitedHealth Group, and Roivant Sciences, while positions in argenx and Eli Lilly were reduced to manage risk [30][31][37] Market Outlook - The health care sector is expected to offer attractive investment opportunities driven by demographic trends, chronic disease prevalence, and technological advancements [14][40] - Recent agreements, such as Pfizer's MFN pricing deal, are seen as positive for the pharmaceutical sector, with limited financial impact anticipated [38]