Core Insights - The Baron Asset Fund underperformed for the second consecutive quarter, declining 4.23% in Q3 2025, while the Index gained 2.78% [3] - The underperformance was primarily due to the Fund's underexposure to Momentum, Beta, and Residual Volatility factors, which led the market higher [3] - The Fund's overexposure to Earnings Quality negatively impacted performance as lower quality stocks rallied during the quarter [3] Sector Performance - Stock selection in IT and Communication Services accounted for about three-quarters of the underperformance, with significant declines from Gartner, Inc. and StubHub Holdings, Inc. [4] - Weakness in Consumer Discretionary was broad-based, with notable declines from Choice Hotels International, Inc. and On Holding AG [5] - Financials were hindered by FactSet Research Systems Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., affected by industry-wide concerns regarding AI and a shift in investor focus [7] - Health Care showed solid stock selection, driven by strong performance from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. [8] Key Contributors - IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. contributed 1.13% to returns, benefiting from improved foot traffic and revenue growth in its Companion Animal segment [9] - Amphenol Corporation gained 1.01% as expectations for data center spending rose, bolstered by a significant acquisition [10] - SpaceX reported substantial growth in its Starlink service and continued advancements in rocket technology [11][12] Key Detractors - Gartner, Inc. detracted 2.31% from performance due to disappointing earnings and decelerating contract value growth [13] - StubHub Holdings, Inc. faced challenges post-IPO, with investments impacting near-term results [16] - Verisk Analytics, Inc. was affected by a conservative outlook and concerns about the property and casualty insurance market [17]

Core Insights - The combination of price momentum and fundamental growth offers a robust framework for identifying stocks with both near-term opportunities and long-term potential [20][21] Price Momentum - Price momentum refers to the tendency of stocks that have performed well recently to continue performing well in the near term, driven by consistent upward price movement and strong trading volume [3] - Key indicators for price momentum include relative strength over three, six, and twelve-month periods, trading above key moving averages, increasing trading volume, and reaching new 52-week highs [8] Fundamental Growth - Fundamental growth encompasses metrics such as revenue expansion, earnings growth, improving profit margins, and strengthening competitive positions, which are essential for long-term value [4] - Indicators of fundamental growth include revenue growth above 15% to 20% year-over-year, earnings per share growing faster than revenue, and strong free cash flow generation [8] Combination Strategy - Stocks exhibiting both price momentum and fundamental growth indicate companies where market enthusiasm is supported by genuine business performance, enhancing the likelihood of sustained upward trajectories [5] - This dual filter helps avoid pitfalls associated with momentum stocks built on hype and undervalued stocks that lack improvement [6] Sector Performance - The strategy is particularly effective in sectors experiencing secular growth trends, such as technology, healthcare, and consumer brands [9] - During earnings season, companies that beat analyst expectations and raise future guidance often trigger momentum moves backed by improving fundamentals [10] Current Examples - **Palantir Technologies**: Revenue surged 48% year-over-year, exceeding $1 billion for the first time, with a full-year guidance raised to 45% growth, reflecting strong adoption of AI tools [12] - **Lam Research Corp.**: Reported annual revenue of over $18 billion, representing 23.68% growth, with a stock surge of 105% year-to-date, driven by demand in the semiconductor industry [14] - **Amphenol Corp.**: Achieved nearly $19 billion in trailing 12-month revenue with 48.9% year-over-year growth, demonstrating strong performance in AI-related infrastructure [17] - **Robinhood Markets**: Revenue growth accelerated to 45% year-over-year, with a stock surge of over 180% year-to-date, reflecting a successful pivot to a diversified financial services provider [19]