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Baron International Growth Strategy

Symbol INTLGROWTH
non
US
Non-U.S./Global

Total Strategy Assets

$342.45 M

As of 09/30/2024

Inception date

03/31/2009

Performance

PerformanceAs of 06/30/2024

Portfolio or IndexQTDYTD1 Year3 Years5 Years10 YearsSince Inception 03/31/2009
Baron International Growth Strategy (Net)-2.69%3.01%-7.28%4.62%5.10%9.77%
Baron International Growth Strategy (Gross)-3.11%3.87%-6.50%5.50%5.99%10.69%
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index-5.69%11.62%0.46%5.55%3.84%7.81%
MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Growth Index-6.10%9.73%-2.86%5.49%4.71%8.45%

Performance InformationAs of 06/30/2024

Performance statistics3 Years5 Years10 Years
Standard Deviation (%)18.6419.3516.27
Sharpe Ratio-0.560.120.22
Alpha (%)-7.51-0.941.36
Beta1.101.061.01
R-Squared (%)93.7889.7687.07
Tracking Error (%)4.956.295.85
Information Ratio-1.56-0.150.21
Upside Capture (%)95.43105.08102.30
Downside Capture (%)130.29110.3096.27
Except for Standard Deviation and Sharpe Ratio, the performance based-characteristics above were calculated relative to the Baron International Growth Strategy's benchmark MSCI ACWI ex USA IMI Growth Index. Performance statistics for additional periods will be provided on request. Source FactSet: SPAR.

Portfolio Holdings & Characteristics

HoldingsAs of 09/30/2024

HoldingSector% of Net Assets
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is the world's largest independent semiconductor foundry, manufacturing chips on behalf of other companies.
TSMC is the dominant force in leading edge semiconductor foundry manufacturing, as it benefits from economies of scale and a superior cost structure. Its successful track record of deploying new technology faster than competitors enables it to maintain its market share and pricing power. We believe TSMC’s investments in advanced nodes will solidify its superior market positioning and profitability in the long run.
Information Technology3.2%
Linde plc
Linde plc (LIN.GY) is the largest global independent industrial gas operator.
Industrial gas producers have strong pricing power due to the consolidated industry structure and high barriers to entry. We believe Linde is making a major contribution toward lowering greenhouse gas emissions and will benefit from a wave of hydrogen projects as well as carbon capture and sequestration projects, which should supplement double-digit earnings growth for the company’s base industrial gas business.
Materials3.0%
Arch Capital Group Ltd.
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) is a Bermuda-based insurance company providing property & casualty insurance, reinsurance, and mortgage insurance.
Arch is led by an experienced management team with a successful track record across insurance cycles. The company excels at underwriting specialized policies and can nimbly shift its business mix to target the most profitable lines as market conditions change. It operates in a large global market and is currently benefiting from favorable pricing trends across many of its product lines. In our view, management has demonstrated strong underwriting discipline and capital stewardship, allowing Arch to maintain industry-leading returns on equity with less volatility.
Financials2.7%
Constellation Software Inc.
Constellation Software Inc. (CSU.CN) is a holding company that owns and operates a large number of small- and medium-sized software businesses. These businesses allow customers across a wide range of verticals to automate key activities with the goal of saving on labor costs.
Constellation has valuable experience to offer acquisition targets, primarily around building high-touch, low-cost modules and contract pricing. We view this experience as a durable competitive advantage while the company continues to acquire targets. With over 20,000 small owner-operated vertical market software businesses in the U.S. and Europe, Constellation's successful acquisition program and moat should remain intact, in our opinion. We believe management can meet its goal of compounding free cash flow per share at greater than 12% over time.
Information Technology2.7%
argenx SE
Argenx SE (ARGX) is a biotechnology company developing antibodies for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The company is in the early years of the commercial launch of its drug Vyvgart, which promises to change the treatment paradigm for a host of autoantibody immune disorders.
Argenx's main product, efgartigimod, which treats a rare muscle weakness disorder, has potentially broad applicability in ameliorating overactive antibody-based diseases. Efgartigimod is a true "pipeline in a product," where the product itself is the platform, as it has the potential to be used against a diverse range of diseases – something that is rarely achieved in the biotechnology space. We expect the share price to increase as argenx proves its product’s effectiveness in multiple autoantibody disorders.
Health Care2.6%
InPost S.A.
InPost S.A. (INPST.NA) is a logistics company operating a dominant network of automated parcel lockers in Poland, with 45% market share in e-commerce delivery. It has a nascent position in the UK and a leading position in France through a 2021 acquisition. It also operates in several satellite countries.
InPost is driving innovation in B2C last-mile delivery. The company benefits from shared infrastructure, accelerating returns to scale and density, secular e-commerce growth, and channel shift to lockers versus to-door delivery. It holds over 90% market share in automated parcel lockers in Poland, reaching 87% of urban area residents within a 7-minute walk. It is also well positioned for international expansion, leveraging cross-border opportunities and ESG advantages for merchants, customers, and regulators.
Industrials2.4%
Symrise AG
Symrise AG (SY1.GR) is one of the largest manufacturers in the global flavor and fragrance industry. It provides flavor and scent inputs for the consumer staples industry, including packaged food, beverage, and household and personal care.
The demand for processed foods and convenience products has been rising in emerging economies. Since the makers of these products rely on Symrise for flavor and fragrance inputs, we believe the company will benefit from the growth in its end markets. With the flavor and fragrance industry dominated by four global companies including Symrise, we think Symrise stands to profit from industry consolidation and will continue to gain share from smaller local companies.
Materials2.3%
eDreams ODIGEO SA
eDreams ODIGEO SA (EDR.SM) is one of the largest online travel companies in the world and e-commerce businesses in Europe. The company serves customers across 44 markets under four leading brands – eDreams, GO Voyages, Opodo, and Travellink – as well as the metasearch engine Liligo.
eDreams is transforming from a transactional to a subscription-based business and has already reached 5.8 million subscribers, ahead of its original schedule. It is on pace to reach its target of 7.25 million Prime members by fiscal 2025, double our original forecast. eDreams should continue to grow through new customer acquisition and product offerings that could increase its value proposition to consumers, including through entering the fragmented European hotel market and offering more personalized and effective customer experiences with its use of AI.
Consumer Discretionary2.3%
DSM-Firmenich AG
DSM Firmenich AG (DSFIR.NA) is a Swiss-Dutch company specializing in chemicals, nutrition, and materials. DSM recently completed a transformational merger of equals with Firmenich, the world’s third largest flavors and fragrances company.
DSM Firmenich is one of the leading suppliers of essential nutrients (such as vitamins), enzymes, consumer ingredients, and personal care products. We anticipate that DSM’s valuation will align more closely with that of its pure-play ingredients and flavors and fragrances peers following the planned divestment of its animal nutrition segment. We also expect DSM's innovation pipeline—featuring eco-friendly products such as feed additives that reduce cattle methane emissions and algae-based oil that addresses overfishing—to contribute over $1 billion in revenue over time.
Materials2.3%
AstraZeneca PLC
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is a global biopharmaceutical company with a strategy based on pipeline-driven transformation and a focus on three main therapy areas based on its core competencies: oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and respiratory illnesses.
We think AstraZeneca’s focused strategy could potentially produce a best-in-class growth profile. The company is a leader in economically attractive markets, particularly oncology, and has an opportunity to participate in emerging transformative markets, such as China's modernizing health care system. Current growth comes from multiple avenues as AstraZeneca is one of the rare companies to have pipeline optionality, new product cycles, and no existential loss of exclusivity risk for a key asset.
Health Care2.2%
Total
Total
25.6%
Top Ten Holdings, Portfolio Holdings, and Sector Breakdown based on net assets. Positions smaller than 0.05% round to 0.0%. Portfolio holdings may change over time.
Portfolio holdings are subject to change. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

Contributors / DetractorsQuarterly as of 06/30/2024

Top ContributorsAverage WeightContribution
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited2.64%0.57%
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd.1.56%0.43%
Trent Limited1.25%0.41%
Bharti Airtel Limited1.72%0.40%
AstraZeneca PLC2.33%0.34%
Source:  FactSet PA.  Based on the gross performance results of the representative account. 

GICS Sector BreakdownAs of 09/30/2024

Sector

Industrials

16.6%

Information Technology

15.7%

Consumer Discretionary

13.5%

Financials

12.4%

Health Care

12.2%

Materials

11.1%

Consumer Staples

6.9%

Communication Services

5.8%

Cash & Cash Equivalents

2.7%

Energy

2.6%

Real Estate

0.6%

09/30/2024
Diversified Banks6.80%
Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment 4.60%
Specialty Chemicals4.50%
Apparel Retail4.10%
Life Sciences Tools & Services4.00%
Semiconductors4.00%
Biotechnology3.80%
Application Software3.50%
Pharmaceuticals3.40%
Broadline Retail 3.30%
Industrial Gases3.00%
Packaged Foods & Meats3.00%
Property & Casualty Insurance2.70%
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing2.60%
Human Resource & Employment Services2.40%
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Diversified Banks6.80%
Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment 4.60%
Specialty Chemicals4.50%
Apparel Retail4.10%
Life Sciences Tools & Services4.00%
Semiconductors4.00%
Biotechnology3.80%
Application Software3.50%
Pharmaceuticals3.40%
Broadline Retail 3.30%
Industrial Gases3.00%
Packaged Foods & Meats3.00%
Property & Casualty Insurance2.70%
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing2.60%
Human Resource & Employment Services2.40%
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India10.50%
Japan10.10%
China8.60%
United Kingdom8.40%
Netherlands8.10%
France6.10%
Korea5.80%
United States4.50%
Spain4.30%
Israel4.10%
Canada3.90%
Taiwan3.70%
Poland3.40%
Germany2.80%
Sweden2.20%
Brazil2.10%
Denmark1.70%
Switzerland1.70%
Ireland1.40%
Australia1.20%
Hong Kong0.90%
Peru0.90%
Italy0.70%
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India10.50%
Japan10.10%
China8.60%
United Kingdom8.40%
Netherlands8.10%
France6.10%
Korea5.80%
United States4.50%
Spain4.30%
Israel4.10%
Canada3.90%
Taiwan3.70%
Poland3.40%
Germany2.80%
Sweden2.20%
Brazil2.10%
Denmark1.70%
Switzerland1.70%
Ireland1.40%
Australia1.20%
Hong Kong0.90%
Peru0.90%
Italy0.70%
024681012

Portfolio CharacteristicsAs of 06/30/2024

DescriptionBaron International Growth StrategyMSCI ACWI ex USA Index
Inception DateMarch 31, 2009
# of Issuers / % of Net Assets89 / 97.2%
Turnover (3 Year Average)38.21%
Active Share83.6%
Median Market Cap$18.46 billion$9.47 billion
Weighted Average Market Cap$109.57 billion$119.01 billion
EPS Growth (3-5 year forecast)18.9%13.0%
Price/Earnings Ratio (trailing 12-month)24.215.4
Price/Book Ratio2.61.8
Price/Sales Ratio2.21.3
Total Strategy Assets$342.45 million
Price/Book Ratio and Price/Sales Ratio are calculated using the Weighted Harmonic Average. Source: FactSet PA. Internal valuation metrics may differ.